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Humulin R
insulin regular
Adult Dosing .
Dosage forms: INJ (U-100 vial): 100 units per mL; INJ (U-500 vial): 500 units per mL; INJ (KwikPen U-500 pen): 500 units per mL
Dosage Form Details
- [formulation clarification]
- Info: 500 units per mL (U-500) strength for SC injection use only
Special Note
- [additional info]
- Info: search Insulin Product Comparisons for comparison of onset, peak, duration, dosage form, and mixing compatibility
diabetes mellitus, type 1
- [SC route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-qid; Start: 50-60% x (0.4-0.5 units/kg/day) SC in divided doses, may adjust dose by 1-4 units or 5-10% 1-2x/wk; Info: usual total daily insulin requirement 0.4-1 units/kg/day (basal + prandial); give 30min before meals; use with intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration 6-12h (short-acting insulin)
- [SC route, U-500 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-tid; Info: for patients requiring >200 units/day; give 30min before meals; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration up to 24h (short to intermediate-acting insulin)
- [IV route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose via IV infusion; Info: refer to institutional protocol; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; onset 0.25h, peak 0.25-0.5h, duration 0.5-1h (short-acting insulin)
diabetes mellitus, type 2
- [SC route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-qid; Start: 4 units SC qd or 10% of basal insulin dose SC qd, may incr. dose by 1-2 units or 10-15% 2x/wk; Info: give 30min before meals; use with intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration 6-12h (short-acting insulin)
- [SC route, U-500 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-tid; Info: for patients requiring >200 units/day; give 30min before meals; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration up to 24h (short to intermediate-acting insulin)
- [IV route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose via IV infusion; Info: refer to institutional protocol; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; onset 0.25h, peak 0.25-0.5h, duration 0.5-1h (short-acting insulin)
diabetic ketoacidosis (off-label)
- [U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose via IV infusion; Start: 0.1 units/kg/h IV; Info: may give 0.1 units/kg/dose IV x1 if infusion delay; when blood glucose <250 mg/dL, decr. dose to 0.05 units/kg/h IV and add dextrose 5-10%; maintain blood glucose at 150-200 mg/dL until DKA resolves; start insulin SC injection >1-2h before D/C insulin IV; refer to institutional protocol
hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (off-label)
- [U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose via IV infusion; Start: 0.05-0.1 units/kg/h IV; Info: when blood glucose <250 mg/dL, decr. dose to 0.05 units/kg/h IV and add dextrose 5-10%; maintain blood glucose at 200-250 mg/dL until HHS resolves; start insulin SC injection >1-2h before D/C insulin IV; refer to institutional protocol
hyperkalemia (off-label)
- [U-100 strength]
- Dose: 10 units IV x1; Info: give with D50W
renal dosing
- [see below]
- renal impairment: consider decr. usual start dose
- HD: consider decr. usual start dose; no supplement after dialysis; PD: consider decr. usual start dose; no supplement
hepatic dosing
- [see below]
- hepatic impairment: not defined, caution advised
Peds Dosing .
- Dosage forms: INJ (U-100 vial): 100 units per mL; INJ (U-500 vial): 500 units per mL; INJ (KwikPen U-500 pen): 500 units per mL
Dosage Form Details
- [formulation clarification]
- Info: 500 units per mL (U-500) strength for SC injection use only
Special Note
- [additional info]
- Info: search Insulin Product Comparisons for comparison of onset, peak, duration, dosage form, and mixing compatibility
diabetes mellitus, type 1
- [SC route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-qid; Info: usual total daily insulin requirement 0.4-1 units/kg/day (basal + prandial); adolescents may require higher doses; give 30min before meals; use with intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration 6-12h (short-acting insulin)
- [SC route, U-500 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-tid; Info: for patients requiring >200 units/day; give 30min before meals; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration up to 24h (short to intermediate-acting insulin)
- [IV route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose via IV infusion; Info: refer to institutional protocol; onset 0.25h, peak 0.25-0.5h, duration 0.5-1h (short-acting insulin)
diabetes mellitus, type 2
- [SC route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-qid; Info: give 30min before meals; use with intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration 6-12h (short-acting insulin)
- [SC route, U-500 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC bid-tid; Info: for patients requiring >200 units/day; give 30min before meals; onset 0.5-1h, peak 2-4h, duration up to 24h (short to intermediate-acting insulin)
- [IV route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose via IV infusion; Info: refer to institutional protocol; onset 0.25h, peak 0.25-0.5h, duration 0.5-1h (short-acting insulin)
diabetic ketoacidosis (off-label)
- [IV route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: 0.05-0.1 units/kg/h IV; Start: 1h after initial fluid tx; Info: for patients with marked insulin sensitivity, may decr. dose to <0.05 units/kg/h IV; add dextrose 5% when blood glucose 250-300 mg/dL or if blood glucose decr. at rate >90 mg/dL/h; maintain blood glucose at 200 mg/dL until DKA resolves; start insulin SC injection adequate interval before D/C insulin IV; refer to institutional protocol
- [SC route, U-100 strength]
- Dose: individualize dose SC q2-4h; Start: 0.13-0.17 units/kg/dose SC q4h 1h after initial fluid tx, then may adjust dose by 10-20%; Info: for patients with mild DKA; add dextrose 5% when blood glucose 250-300 mg/dL or if blood glucose decr. at rate >90 mg/dL/h; maintain blood glucose at 200 mg/dL until DKA resolves; refer to institutional protocol
hyperkalemia (off-label)
- [U-100 strength, <1 mo]
- Dose: 0.1-0.2 units/kg/h IV; Info: give with dextrose; refer to institution protocol
- [U-100 strength, 1 mo and older]
- Dose: 0.05-0.1 units/kg/h IV; Info: give with dextrose; refer to institution protocol
renal dosing
- [see below]
- renal impairment: consider decr. usual start dose
- HD: consider decr. usual start dose; no supplement after dialysis; PD: consider decr. usual start dose; no supplement
hepatic dosing
- [see below]
- hepatic impairment: not defined, caution advised
Contraindications / Cautions .
- hypersensitivity to drug or ingredient
- continuous SC infusion pump use
- hypoglycemia
- caution: hypoglycemia unawareness
- caution: illness
- caution: stress
- caution: hypokalemia risk
- caution: renal impairment
- caution: hepatic impairment
- caution: visual impairment (pen form)
- caution: localized cutaneous amyloidosis
- caution: lipodystrophy
Drug Interactions .
Overview
insulin
insulin
- affects growth hormone diagnostic test results
- antidiabetic agent
- hypokalemia
zinc (inactive ingredient)
heavy metal
- heavy metal
Avoid/Use Alternative
- alpelisib
- arsenic trioxide
- ethanol (alcoholic beverage)
- inavolisib
- macimorelin
- repaglinide
- rosiglitazone
Monitor/Modify Tx
- abiraterone acetate
- acarbose
- acebutolol
- acetazolamide
- albuterol
- albuterol inhaled
- alclometasone topical
- aloe
- alogliptin
- amcinonide topical
- amphotericin
- arformoterol inhaled
- aripiprazole bimonthly injection
- aripiprazole lauroxil
- aripiprazole monthly injection
- aripiprazole oral
- asenapine
- ashwagandha
- asparaginase
- aspirin
- atazanavir
- azilsartan medoxomil
- benazepril
- berberine
- betamethasone
- betamethasone topical
- bexagliflozin
- bexarotene
- bismuth subsalicylate
- bortezomib
- brentuximab vedotin
- brexpiprazole
- brigatinib
- bromocriptine
- budesonide
- bumetanide
- calaspargase
- canagliflozin
- candesartan cilexetil
- capivasertib
- carfilzomib
- cariprazine
- carvedilol
- cassia cinnamon
- ceritinib
- cetuximab
- chloroquine
- chlorothiazide
- chlorthalidone
- chromium
- ciprofloxacin
- cisplatin
- clarithromycin
- clobetasol topical
- clocortolone topical
- clonidine
- clozapine
- colesevelam
- copanlisib
- corticotropin
- cortisone
- crizotinib
- dabrafenib
- danazol
- dapagliflozin
- darunavir
- decitabine
- deflazacort
- delafloxacin
- desogestrel (contraceptive)
- desonide topical
- desoximetasone topical
- dexamethasone
- diazoxide
- dichlorphenamide
- dienogest (contraceptive)
- diflorasone topical
- digoxin
- dinutuximab
- disopyramide
- drospirenone (contraceptive)
- dulaglutide
- edetate calcium disodium
- eleuthero
- emapalumab
- empagliflozin
- enfortumab vedotin
- ensartinib
- ephedra
- epinephrine
- ertugliflozin
- estetrol (contraceptive)
- estradiol (contraceptive)
- estradiol (hormone replacement)
- estrogens, conjugated (hormone replacement)
- estrogens, esterified (hormone replacement)
- ethacrynic acid
- ethinyl estradiol (contraceptive)
- ethinyl estradiol (hormone replacement)
- ethionamide
- ethynodiol (contraceptive)
- etonogestrel (contraceptive)
- everolimus
- exenatide
- fenofibrate
- fenofibric acid
- fenugreek
- flaxseed
- fludrocortisone
- fluocinolone otic
- fluocinolone topical
- fluocinonide topical
- fluoxetine
- flurandrenolide topical
- fluticasone propionate topical
- formoterol inhaled
- fosamprenavir
- foscarnet
- fosfomycin injection
- fosphenytoin
- furosemide
- garlic
- gemfibrozil
- ginkgo
- ginseng, American
- ginseng, Asian
- glimepiride
- glipizide
- glucagon
- glyburide
- goserelin
- gymnema
- halcinonide topical
- halobetasol topical
- hydrochlorothiazide
- hydrocortisone
- hydrocortisone topical
- hydroxychloroquine
- iloperidone
- indapamide
- irbesartan
- isocarboxazid
- isoniazid
- isoproterenol
- lanreotide
- lenalidomide
- leuprolide
- levalbuterol inhaled
- levofloxacin
- levonorgestrel (contraceptive)
- levothyroxine
- licorice
- linagliptin
- linezolid
- liothyronine
- liraglutide
- lisinopril
- lithium
- lixisenatide
- lopinavir/ritonavir
- lorlatinib
- losartan
- lumateperone
- lurasidone
- lutetium Lu 177 dotatate
- magnesium citrate
- magnesium salicylate
- mannitol
- mecasermin
- medroxyprogesterone (contraceptive)
- megestrol
- metformin
- methazolamide
- methylprednisolone
- methyltestosterone
- metoclopramide
- metolazone
- metreleptin
- mifepristone
- miglitol
- milk thistle
- milsaperidone
- mometasone topical
- motixafortide
- moxifloxacin
- nadolol
- nateglinide
- necitumumab
- nelfinavir
- niacin (vitamin B3)
- nilotinib
- norelgestromin (contraceptive)
- norepinephrine
- norethindrone (contraceptive)
- norgestimate (contraceptive)
- norgestrel (contraceptive)
- octreotide
- ofloxacin
- olanzapine
- olmesartan medoxomil
- olodaterol inhaled
- orforglipron
- osilodrostat
- paliperidone
- paltusotine
- pamidronate
- panitumumab
- pasireotide
- pegaspargase
- peginterferon alfa 2a
- pegvisomant
- pentamidine
- pentoxifylline
- phenelzine
- phenylephrine
- phenytoin
- pindolol
- pioglitazone
- plozasiran
- polyethylene glycol
- polyethylene glycol/electrolytes
- posaconazole
- pramlintide
- prednicarbate topical
- prednisolone
- prednisone
- pseudoephedrine
- quetiapine
- quinine
- ribose
- risperidone
- ritonavir
- sacituzumab govitecan
- sacrosidase
- salmeterol inhaled
- salsalate
- saxagliptin
- segesterone (contraceptive)
- selinexor
- semaglutide
- sirolimus albumin-bound
- sitagliptin
- sodium benzoate
- sodium phenylacetate
- sodium phenylbutyrate
- sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- sodium thiosulfate
- somapacitan
- somatrogon
- somatropin
- sotagliflozin
- sotalol
- spironolactone
- sucralfate
- sulfadiazine
- sulfamethoxazole
- sulfasalazine
- sulfate bowel prep
- sunitinib
- tafasitamab
- telmisartan
- temsirolimus
- teprotumumab
- terbutaline
- tesamorelin
- testosterone
- thyroid
- timolol
- tipranavir
- tirzepatide
- topiramate
- torsemide
- tramadol
- trandolapril
- tranylcypromine
- triamcinolone
- triamcinolone topical
- triamterene
- triptorelin
- turmeric
- valsartan
- vamorolone
- vilanterol inhaled
- vorinostat
- ziprasidone
- zonisamide
Adverse Reactions .
Serious Reactions
- hypoglycemia
- hypokalemia
- hypersensitivity reaction
- anaphylaxis
Common Reactions
- hypoglycemia
- injection site reaction
- injection site lipodystrophy
- myalgia
- pruritus
- rash
- URI
- weight gain
- headache
- edema, peripheral
- hypersensitivity reaction
- influenza
Safety/Monitoring .
Monitoring Parameters
Cr at baseline; K if hypokalemia risk
Look/Sound-Alike Drug Names
HumuLIN R confused with: HumaLOG; HumuLIN 70/30; HumuLIN N; HumuLIN U; Novolin 70/30; Novolin R; NovoLOG
HumuLIN, Insulin Human confused with: HumaLOG, Insulin Human
insulin confused with: Integrilin; Symlin
insulin human confused with: isophane, insulin human; lispro, insulin human
Pregnancy/Lactation .
Pregnancy
Clinical Summary
may use during pregnancy; dose adjustment may be needed during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum; no known risk of fetal harm based on human data
Lactation
Clinical Summary
may use while breastfeeding; no human data available, though risk of infant harm not expected based on drug properties; possible risk of delayed milk production based on conflicting human data
Pharmacology .
Metabolism: for insulin regular: liver, kidney, fat; CYP450: none
Excretion: for insulin regular: urine 30-80%; Half-life: 0.3-1h (IV route, U-100 strength), 1.5-3.6h (SC route, U-100 strength, apparent), 4.5h (SC route, U-500 strength, apparent); Info: onset, peak, duration vary among insulin products and routes; search Insulin Products Comparisons for more info
Subclass: Diabetes: Insulins
Mechanism of Action
for insulin regular: stimulates peripheral glucose uptake, inhibits hepatic glucose production, inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, regulating glucose metabolism (short to intermediate-acting insulin)
Formulary .
No Formulary Selected
Manufacturer/Pricing .
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Co.
DEA/FDA: OTC/Rx
Retail Price
Estimated prices only. For current pricing, visit GoodRx.
injectable solution:
- 100 units/mL (1 vial, 10 mL): $160.00
subcutaneous solution:
- 500 units/mL (1 vial, 20 mL): $1,526.00
injectable solution:
- 100 units/mL (1 vial, 3 mL): $51.00
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