Composition of Actrapid (Human Insulin)
Actrapid is a short-acting human regular insulin preparation that contains 100 units/mL (U-100) of soluble human insulin as its active ingredient. While the guidelines don't explicitly detail the complete composition of Actrapid, they provide information about human regular insulin formulations in general.
Active Ingredient
- Actrapid contains human regular insulin at a concentration of 100 units/mL (U-100) 1
- It is classified as a short-acting insulin in diabetes treatment guidelines 1
Formulation Characteristics
- Actrapid is available as a solution for subcutaneous injection 1, 2
- It is produced as a human insulin product, which differs from analog insulins that have modified amino acid sequences 3
- The formulation allows for subcutaneous administration with specific pharmacokinetic properties 2
Pharmacokinetic Profile
- Onset of action: Slower than rapid-acting analogs, typically beginning within 30 minutes after injection 4
- Peak action: Reaches maximum effect approximately 2-3 hours after injection 2
- Duration of action: Approximately 5-8 hours total 1
- When compared to insulin analogs like insulin aspart or lispro, Actrapid has a slower onset and longer duration of action 3, 4
Clinical Considerations
- Actrapid is classified as a short-acting insulin, distinguishing it from rapid-acting analogs (aspart, lispro, glulisine) and longer-acting formulations (NPH, glargine, detemir) 1
- It can be used in various insulin regimens, including as prandial insulin or in premixed formulations 1
- When mixed with intermediate-acting insulins like NPH (as in studies with Monotard), the pharmacokinetic profile is altered 5
Cost Considerations
- Human regular insulin like Actrapid is generally less expensive than insulin analogs 1
- In the U.S., human regular insulin (U-100 vial) has a median AWP of approximately $165 per 1,000 units 1
- Some pharmacies offer human regular insulin at significantly lower prices (approximately $25/vial) 1
Common Pitfalls and Caveats
- Unlike rapid-acting analogs, Actrapid should ideally be administered 30 minutes before meals due to its slower onset of action 4, 2
- When switching between different insulin formulations, dose adjustments may be necessary due to differences in pharmacokinetic profiles 6
- Actrapid should not be confused with rapid-acting insulin analogs (aspart, lispro, glulisine) which have faster onset and shorter duration 3, 4
Human insulin formulations like Actrapid remain important treatment options, particularly for patients who may benefit from their specific pharmacokinetic profile or who face cost barriers to using insulin analogs 1.