TYPES OF INSULIN

The first insulin to be made was clear soluble insulin also called short-acting insulin. Injected under the skin, this insulin works within about 30 minutes and lasts for 4-8 hours. Various modifications were made to this original insulin so that it would last longer after injection. When protamine or zinc is incorporated into the soluble insulin, a single injection could last from 12 to 36 hours. For many years a single daily injection was advised by doctors, but people realised that this was not a good way of controlling the variations in blood glucose that occur during the day. Nowadays many people who need insulin have a mixture of short- and intermediate- or long-acting insulin twice a day, but an increasing number have insulin four or more times a day, injected using an insulin pen. A new generation of insulins, also called insulin analogues, where the chemical makeup of the insulin is changed, are also available today. By changing the molecular structure of the insulin, manufacturers can alter the way it works, allowing it to be absorbed differently.

I have recently heard that human insulin can be dangerous, although I’ve taken it for several years. Should I be worried?

There has been adverse publicity about human insulin. A number of people changing from animal to human insulin have noticed that they get less warning of hypos. This change of awareness may result from other factors but some people are convinced that the problem was caused by human insulin.

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There have also been reports of unexpected deaths in people who have changed to human insulin. These deaths may have been due to a low blood glucose but this has not been proved. Nor has it been shown that the numbers involved have increased since human insulin was introduced. Diabetes UK has been carrying out research into these vital questions but so far no cause for alarm has been found.

I am a Muslim and have been put on insulin. I hear that this is made from pork. Is this right?

Yes and no. Some insulins are pork-based, and there are pork-based synthetic insulins, both of which are unacceptable to Muslims. You need to inform your doctor or nurse of your wishes, stating that you wish to use a non-porcine synthetic (human) insulin instead. ‘Human insulin’ is not manufactured from human tissue, but is so called because it is ‘akin to human’.

There seem to be a lot of different types of insulin on the market. Can you give me some details?

The times of insulin action vary greatly from one person to another and those given must only be regarded as a rough guide.

The vials mentioned in the table are bottles of insulin for use with a syringe, and cartridges are for use with an insulin pen.

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