From the Guidelines
Humulin and Novolin are not the same, although they are both human insulin products used to treat diabetes, with the same active ingredient but potentially different inactive ingredients and manufacturing processes. The main difference between Humulin and Novolin lies in their manufacturers, with Humulin being produced by Eli Lilly and Novolin by Novo Nordisk, both using recombinant DNA technology to create human insulin [ 1 ]. Both medications are available in similar formulations, including Regular (R), NPH (N), and premixed combinations (70/30), but may have slight variations in inactive ingredients.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), numerous formulations of insulin are available, with human insulins like Humulin and Novolin being recombinant DNA-derived human insulin [ 1 ]. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends human insulin for the management of blood glucose in adults with type 1 diabetes and in adults with type 2 diabetes for whom insulin is indicated [ 1 ].
Key points to consider when using Humulin or Novolin include:
- They contain the same active ingredient (human insulin) but may have different inactive ingredients
- They are available in similar formulations (Regular, NPH, premixed combinations)
- Patients should not switch between insulin brands without consulting their healthcare provider due to potential differences in product characteristics
- Both insulins are important options for patients with financial constraints, as they are available at lower costs than analog insulins in some states. It is crucial for patients to consult their healthcare provider before switching between Humulin and Novolin or adjusting their dosage, as even small differences between products might require dose adjustments to ensure optimal glycemic control and minimize the risk of hypoglycemia or other adverse effects [ 1 ].
From the Research
Humulin and Novolin Comparison
- Humulin and Novolin are both insulin products, but they are manufactured by different companies: Humulin is produced by Eli Lilly and Company, while Novolin is produced by Novo Nordisk.
- There is no direct comparison between Humulin and Novolin in the provided studies, but study 2 compares Biocon's biosimilar insulin N with US-licensed Humulin N formulation, showing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic equivalence between the two.
- Study 3 mentions Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Novolin, but it discusses a different product, oral insulin 338 (I338), and its comparison with subcutaneous insulin glargine.
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of whether Humulin and Novolin are the same, but they suggest that different insulin products can have similar efficacy and safety profiles, as shown in studies 2 and 4.
- It is essential to consult the specific product labels and prescribing information for Humulin and Novolin to determine their exact composition, indications, and usage instructions, as this information is not provided in the studies cited here 5, 3, 2, 4, 6.