From the Guidelines
Human insulin that is classified as Regular insulin is a type of short-acting insulin, also known as R, which is a recombinant DNA-derived human insulin. This type of insulin is manufactured using recombinant DNA technology, where bacteria or yeast are genetically modified to produce insulin with the same amino acid sequence as human insulin 1. Human insulin comes in several formulations, including rapid-acting (like Regular), intermediate-acting (like NPH), and long-acting varieties, which vary in their onset, peak, and duration of action, allowing for customized treatment regimens for diabetes management.
- The main advantage of insulin, including Regular human insulin, is that it lowers glucose in a dose-dependent manner over a wide range, to almost any glycemic target as limited by hypoglycemia 1.
- The effectiveness of insulin is highly dependent on its appropriate use, patient selection and training, adjustment of dose for changes in diet, activity, or weight, and titration to acceptable, safe glucose targets 1.
- According to the World Health Organization guidelines, human insulin, including Regular insulin, is recommended to manage blood glucose in adults with type 1 diabetes and in adults with type 2 diabetes for whom insulin is indicated 1.
- Some studies have shown that long-acting insulin analogues may be considered to manage blood glucose in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have frequent severe hypoglycemia with human insulin, but the overall benefit from insulin analogues is outweighed by the large price difference between human insulin and insulin analogues 1.
From the Research
Types of Insulin
- Human regular insulin, also known as Regular insulin, is a type of insulin that is classified as human insulin 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Characteristics of Human Regular Insulin
- Human regular U-500 insulin is five times more concentrated than U-100 and works as both a basal and a bolus insulin 2.
- The duration of action of regular insulin is 6-8 hours, which increases the risk for postprandial hypoglycemia 3.
- Human regular insulin has a more gradual onset of action compared to rapid-acting insulin analogs 4, 5.
Comparison with Other Insulins
- Human regular insulin is compared to rapid-acting insulin analogs, such as insulin aspart, which provides more rapid absorption and improved postprandial glycaemic control 5.
- Short-acting insulin analogues have a minor benefit over regular human insulin in the majority of diabetic patients treated with insulin 6.