Short insulin list of medications. Short-acting insulins: names of the best drugs. Known long-acting insulin preparations

Short-acting insulin is a specific sugar-lowering agent that regulates carbohydrate metabolism in the body.

This drug contains a pure hormonal solution, which does not contain any additives that prolong its effect on the body. The group of short-acting insulins acts faster than others, but the overall duration of their activity is short.

The intramuscular drug is produced in hermetically sealed glass bottles, sealed with aluminum-treated stoppers.

The effect of short-acting insulin on the body is accompanied by:

  • suppression or stimulation of certain enzymes;
  • activation of glycogen synthesis and hexokinase;
  • suppression of lipase, which activates fatty acids.

The degree of secretion and biosynthesis depends on the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. When its level increases, the processes of insulin production in the pancreas increase and, conversely, when its concentration decreases, secretion slows down.

Classification of short insulins

According to the time characteristics, short-acting insulin is:

  • Short (soluble, regulator) insulins– act after administration after half an hour, so it is recommended to use them 40-50 minutes before meals. The peak concentration of the active substance in the bloodstream is reached after 2 hours, and after 6 hours only traces of the drug remain in the body. Short insulins include human soluble genetically engineered, human soluble semisynthetic and monocomponent soluble pork.
  • Ultra-short (human-grade, analogue) insulins– begin to affect the body after administration 15 minutes later. Peak activity is also reached after a couple of hours. Complete elimination from the body occurs after 4 hours. Due to the fact that ultra-short insulin has a more physiological effect, drugs that contain it can be used 5-10 minutes before meals or immediately after meals. This type of medicine includes insulin aspart and semi-synthetic analogues of human insulin.

Please note that ultra-fast acting insulin resembles the human body's natural response to an increase in blood sugar levels after eating. That is why it should be taken shortly before or immediately after meals.

Short-acting insulin in the treatment of diabetes

Insulin for diabetes helps prevent the development of complications, prolong the life of a diabetic and improve its quality. Also, injections of this drug reduce the load on the area, which contributes to the partial restoration of beta cells.

A similar effect can be achieved in type 2 diabetes with proper implementation of the treatment program and compliance with the regimen recommended by the doctor. Restoration of beta cells is also possible in type 1 diabetes only if the diagnosis is made in a timely manner and treatment measures are taken without delay.

Usually the drug is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously by a specially designed route. Only in the presence of diabetic coma is intravenous administration of the drug allowed. The dosage is selected individually, taking into account the severity of the disease, the level of sugar in the body and the general condition of the patient.

Insulin injections are prescribed in 2-3 doses per day, half an hour before meals. The usual dose of the drug is from 10 to 40 units per day.

In diabetic coma, a larger amount of medication is required: for subcutaneous administration - from 100 units and above, and for intravenous administration - up to 50 units per day. For the treatment of diabetic taxidermy, the amount of Insulin is calculated according to the severity of the underlying disease. In other cases, a large amount of hormonal agent is not required; it is recommended to administer small doses, but more often.

Adverse reactions and contraindications

  • pancreatitis,
  • hepatitis,
  • jade,
  • decompensated heart disease,
  • kidney stone disease,
  • ulcerative lesions of the gastric region and duodenum.

The main adverse reactions after the administration of a hormonal drug occur when dosage recommendations are not followed. This is accompanied by a significant increase in insulin in the bloodstream.

The most common side effects include:

  • general weakness;
  • increased sweating;
  • heartbeat;
  • increased salivation;
  • dizziness.

In severe cases of a critical increase in the hormone in the bloodstream (if there is no timely administration of carbohydrates), convulsions may occur, accompanied by loss of consciousness and.

Short- and ultra-fast-acting insulin preparations

All medicines containing short human insulins or their analogues have similar characteristics. Therefore, if the need arises, they can be replaced, observing the same dosages, and a preliminary consultation with a doctor is required. So, a small selection of names of short-acting and super-fast-acting insulin

The most popular and medicinal short-acting agents are:

– produced using Saccharomyces cerevisiae using recombinant DNA technology. The duration of action of the active component on the body is determined by its absorption rate. It depends on the dosage, area, type of diabetes and route of administration. The effect of the drug begins 30 minutes after the injection. The maximum concentration of insulin is achieved after a period of time equal to 1.5-3.5 hours and the duration of its action varies from 7 to 8 hours.

Time has passed since the discovery of the hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels, so various types of insulin have appeared. They differ in duration of action, speed of onset of effect, method of administration, and so on. Let's look at which insulin is better, and what you need to know about using short- and long-acting drugs.

Classification of hormones

Simple insulin was extracted from animal pancreas about half a century ago. Since then, it has been used in the treatment of diabetes until today. Now scientists are able to produce insulin preparations on their own, without resorting to extracting the hormone from the pancreas of animals. These are so-called recombinant drugs. During this time, many variants of these hormonal drugs were created. They have different duration of action, composition and other characteristics.

Short-acting insulins are divided into 2 types:

  1. Short-acting insulin preparations - Actrapid NM, Humodar R, Monodar, Biogulin R, Actrapid MS, Monosulin MK, etc.
  2. Ultra-short insulin - Humalog and Apidra.

As for long insulins, These include medium-acting and very long-acting insulins. These are insulin-zinc, insulin-isophane and other drugs.

Use of short-acting drugs for diabetes mellitus

Short-acting insulin is taken half an hour before meals. When it is administered, the patient must eat, otherwise the blood sugar level will drop sharply, which can even lead to loss of consciousness. Each patient determines the time of administration of short-acting insulin independently, depending on the meal schedule.

Due to the fact that short-acting insulin has a clear time peak of activity, it is very important to administer it so that this peak coincides with the maximum amount of blood sugar levels after eating a meal. If the hormone is administered in insufficient quantities, there will be hyperglycemia (excess glucose in the blood), if in excessive quantities, there will be hypoglycemia (respectively, deficiency). Both situations are dangerous for the patient.

Doctors prescribe short-acting insulin injections to diabetics whose blood sugar rises sharply after eating. Use of this type of hormone must be done responsibly because short-acting insulin medications work longer than the spike in blood sugar levels. This means that a couple of hours after taking it you need to eat something else and exclude the manifestation of hypoglycemia.

Principles of using short-acting insulin

There are certain rules for using ultra-short-acting (or short-acting) insulin. They are as follows:

  • The hormone should be taken before the main meal;
  • ultra-fast insulin works best when taken orally;
  • Avoid massaging the injection site before administering it, as this may cause uneven absorption of the hormone;
  • the number of insulin units for each patient is calculated individually in the range of 8-24 for adults and up to 8 for children per day.

It is quite easy to calculate the dosage of the hormone for yourself. To do this, you need to know how much the blood glucose level is at the moment of hunger, as well as how many bread units will be present in the food that will be consumed. For example, if a patient's glucose level is 11.4 mmol/L on an empty stomach, he needs to take 2 units of insulin to bring the sugar back to normal, plus a few more units to process sugar from food.

Types of short-acting insulin

You can buy various short-acting insulins in pharmacies. These are Humulin, Actrapid, Insuman Rapid, Homoral and the drugs mentioned above. They all have their own characteristics that need to be taken into account when choosing a specific drug. Thus, pig pancreas preparations often cause side effects due to the patient’s body rejecting this product.

To ensure minimal side effects, it is necessary to administer a precise dose of the drug, not skip the injection time, choose new injection sites and properly store the hormone itself.

How to administer short-acting insulin if your sugar has risen

There are various reasons for increased blood glucose levels. In any case, if a patient with diabetes mellitus has this level above 10 mmol/l, short-acting insulin must be administered. It is very simple to calculate the required dose of the drug: at a sugar level of about 10 mmol/l, 1 unit is administered, at 11 mmol/l - 2 units, etc.

But you shouldn’t make hasty decisions and administer the hormone thoughtlessly. It is necessary to understand why the blood sugar has risen, and then administer the drug slowly and in the exact dosage. Otherwise, if there is a lot of it in the blood, it will sharply reduce the amount of glucose, and then it will rise sharply again. Such jumps will not lead to anything good.

The maximum number of units that can be administered is 7, even if the glucose level is above 16 mmol/L. After four hours, the test is repeated and, if necessary, the remainder of the hormone is administered again. If there is no therapeutic effect (if for a long time, despite the administration of drugs, sugar levels are still high), you need to go to the hospital, where they will test for ketone bodies. You can also carry out express analysis using Uriket and Uriglyuk test strips.

Short insulin and acetone in urine

If the body receives few carbohydrates, it has to extract them from fats. During these biochemical transformations, acetone is formed, which is then detected in the urine. It does not matter what level of carbohydrates is observed in the blood. Often it is even reduced.

If acetone is detected in the urine and blood sugar is elevated, a conclusion is drawn about a lack of insulin. It is reintroduced at the rate of 20% of the daily dose of the short form of the hormone. After three hours, the analysis is repeated, and if everything is the same, they do the procedure again.

As you know, acetone has a detrimental effect on the molecules of this hormone. He destroys them and prevents them from working. And if a drop in glucose is not observed during injection, it is administered until the levels return to normal. You also need to wait until the acetone leaves the body. But at the same time they continue to monitor sugar levels so that they are normal.

Does elevated temperature affect the dosage of the drug?

When a diabetic patient's temperature rises above 37.5 degrees, it is necessary to adjust replacement therapy. To do this, measure the glucose level, calculate the required amount of the drug, increasing the dosage by 10%. This is done before each meal until the body temperature returns to normal.

If suddenly the body temperature increases significantly (for example, to 39 degrees), then the dose is adjusted more strictly, increasing it by 20-25%. They also stop administering long-acting insulin preparations, since at high temperatures they will simply be destroyed.

The calculated dosage is distributed evenly into 3-4 doses throughout the day, linking the administration of the drug directly to the intake of easily digestible carbohydrates. This therapy is continued until the temperature normalizes. If after this there is an excess of acetone in the blood, they switch to the special approaches indicated a little higher.


How to calculate dosage during physical activity

Physical activity increases blood sugar levels. Muscles require more energy, so the liver releases bound glucose molecules and releases them into the blood. Therefore, if the analysis indicates the presence of sugar in a concentration of 16 mmol/l or higher, any load is prohibited until this indicator is brought back to normal. And only after that can you do anything.

If your sugar level is less than 10 mmol/L, exercise may even help lower your sugar level. Here you also need to take precautions so as not to develop a state of hypoglycemia. If physical activity is short, you do not need to adjust the dose. To do this, it is enough to fuel the body with fast carbohydrates every 30 minutes.

In the case of long-term physical exercise, the dosage of the hormone is reduced by 10-50% according to the duration of the exercise and the severity of the load. Sometimes they even adjust the dosage of long-acting insulins.

Known long-acting insulin preparations

The second group of hormones that are administered to diabetics consists of many long-acting insulins. Their introduction is very important. After all, the body most naturally perceives the therapy that is similar to its natural life activity. The hormone in a healthy body is not produced simultaneously - its level in the blood is maintained at the proper level. Long-acting insulin makes replacement therapy as similar as possible to this case. Diabetics also call this goal the phrase “maintain an even background.”

Long-acting insulin

So, long-acting insulin is used to create an imitation for the body, as if it itself had produced this hormone. Today, many tools have been created that can achieve a similar effect. First of all, these are insulin preparations with an average duration of action (up to 16 hours). These include:

  • Biosulin N;
  • Humulin NPH;
  • Gensulin N;
  • Insuman Bazal, etc.

There is also long-acting insulin on sale, the working time of which is over 16 hours. These are Lantus, Tresiba, Levemir. These drugs were the latest to be developed and they are really good. So, all other hormones are slightly cloudy, so the ampoule with them is rolled out in the palms of your hands to mix the solution evenly. This same extended-release insulin is completely transparent and does not contain inclusions that can make it cloudy.

Medium insulins are also classified as peak insulins, just like short insulins. But long-acting insulin does not have a peak. Therefore, when calculating the dosage of the drug, this factor must be taken into account. Otherwise, for the use of all hormones, there are general rules that must be followed.

Important! Long-acting insulin is administered in a dosage that allows you to maintain normal blood glucose levels throughout the day when you are not eating. Deviations from the norm can be no more than 1-1.5 mmol/l. That is, if everything is chosen correctly, the amount of sugar should remain within the specified limits, neither exceeding them nor reducing them. Stability is one of the important criteria for successful replacement therapy for diabetes mellitus.

Long-acting insulin is usually injected into the buttocks and thighs, as opposed to short-acting forms that are injected into the arm or stomach. You should not choose other places, since from the buttock the drug will spread throughout the body more evenly, providing a smooth effect. But the peak forms of hormones are injected into the stomach so that they are absorbed into the blood at about the same time as food.

Choosing your insulin dosage at night

If you are advised to use long-acting insulin, you should first select the dose at night. To do this, it is necessary to find out how glucose behaves in the blood at this time. The procedure is simple, but inconvenient, because every 3 hours, starting at 21:00, you need to wake up and measure your sugar until 6 in the morning.

During all this time, the level of glucose in the blood when a long type of hormone is administered should be the same. If any fluctuations are observed, it is necessary to adjust the dosage up or down.

Pay attention to the time period during which the deviation occurred. For example, when a patient goes to bed, his sugar level is 6 mmol/l, at midnight - 6.5 mmol/l, but at 03:00 it already rises to 8.5 mmol/l. This means only one thing - too little insulin was administered at night, and the patient will wake up with elevated levels. Therefore, the dosage needs to be adjusted upward. But there are also exceptions.

In some cases, an increase in carbohydrate levels may not at all indicate a lack of hormones that regulate their levels. It happens that such a jump is associated with hypoglycemia, so at night the body tries to reverse the situation and increase glucose levels to compensate for its lack at other times.

In this case, several tips immediately arise:

  • If you doubt the reasons for the increase in sugar at night, it is worth re-testing a specific period (in our case - 24:00-3:00), but with a frequency of analyzes of 1 hour. If in this interval there are moments when the glucose concentration drops below a stable level, it is quite possible to conclude that the body is trying to make a rollback. Then the amount of the hormone must be reduced.
  • It is necessary to take into account the food that was eaten during the day, since it also affects the effectiveness of treatment with long forms of the hormone.
  • To correctly assess the blood response to nighttime insulin, the presence of short-acting insulin and residual glucose from food is excluded. To achieve this, it is best to skip dinner or have it much earlier than usual.
  • It is recommended to design your dinner menu in such a way that it includes only foods containing carbohydrates, since the presence of fat and an abundance of protein may affect the test result. As you know, the metabolism of fats and proteins is much slower than that of carbohydrates, so their presence in the blood can increase sugar levels and make the assessment of the effectiveness of long-acting forms of insulin false.

Choosing the daily dose of long-acting insulin

The daily dose of basal (long) insulin is determined in the same way as the night dose. To do this, they fast all day and conduct tests every hour. Thanks to this approach, you can find out in what time frames there is a surge in glucose values ​​and in which periods there is a decline.

If a person’s pancreas, during a meal, produces insufficient amounts of the hormone insulin necessary for the absorption of glucose, the body needs help. How can we help? You can help by administering a short insulin-containing drug so that its desired concentration coincides with the peak increase in blood glucose during meals. What is short-acting insulin? What are the analogues and types?

Types of insulins

The pharmaceutical industry provides patients with not only a series of short- and ultra-short-acting insulins, but also long-acting and intermediate-acting insulins, animal and human genetically engineered. For the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, endocrinologists prescribe to patients, depending on the form and stage of the disease, different types of drugs, characterized by the duration of exposure, onset and peak of activity.


Interesting fact: For the first time, in 1921, insulin was isolated from the pancreas of cattle. January of the following year marked the beginning of clinical trials of the hormone in humans. In 1923, this greatest achievement of chemists was awarded the Nobel Prize.

Types of insulins and their mechanism of action (table):


Kinds Drugs (trade names) Mechanism, application
Ultra-short-acting insulin Apidra Ultra-short insulins are injected into the stomach before meals, as they instantly respond to an increase in blood glucose levels.

Ultra-fast insulin can be administered immediately after meals

Short-term insulin

actions

Actrapid NM,

Insuman GT,

Humulin Regular

Fast or simple (short) insulin. Looks like a clear solution. Begins to act in 20-40 minutes
Long acting insulin Levemir, Long-term insulin preparations do not have a peak of activity, act in an hour or two, and are administered 1-2 times a day. The mechanism of action is similar to natural human
Intermediate acting insulin Aktrafan, Insulong,

Lente, Semilente,

Protafan,

Humulin NPH

A medium-acting drug maintains physiological blood glucose levels. Prescribed twice a day, action after injection – after one to three hours
Combined Novolin, The ampoule or pen syringe indicates which insulin is included. Begins to act in 10-20 minutes, you need to inject twice a day before meals

How to determine when to administer, what doses, types of insulin preparations? Only an endocrinologist can answer this question. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.

Features of the action of short-acting insulins

A healthy body produces the hormone, always in the beta cells of the islet of Langerhans in the pancreas. Violation of hormone synthesis causes malfunction, disruption of the metabolism of almost all body systems and the development of diabetes mellitus. In the initial stages of the disease, patients are often prescribed short-acting insulins.

  1. Short-acting insulin has a slow onset (20 to 40 minutes), so a certain period of time must pass between the injection of the hormone and the meal.
  2. The amount of food you need to eat after rapid insulin is administered should correspond to the dose of the medicine. Under no circumstances should you change the recommended amount of food intake. More food can lead to hyperglycemia, less food can lead to hypoglycemia.
  3. The administration of short-acting insulin requires snacks - after 2-3 hours the peak effect of the drug is observed, so the body needs carbohydrates.

Attention: The time for calculating the time and dose is approximate - patients have their own individual characteristics of the body. Therefore, the endocrinologist determines the dose and time individually for each patient.

Injections should only be administered with a sterile insulin syringe and only at a specific time. The drug is administered subcutaneously, sometimes intramuscularly. Only the injection site can change slightly, which does not need to be massaged after the injection so that the drug enters the blood smoothly.

It is very important that the patient does not delegate the process of constant monitoring of the medication to the attending physician; he monitors his diet and lifestyle.

  • fast insulin quickly reacts to the intake of sugars in the body;
  • a long-acting drug maintains a certain level of the hormone in the bloodstream.

How to independently calculate the drug time

  • you need to administer the dose of the drug 45 minutes before meals;
  • monitor glucose levels every five minutes;
  • If the glucose level has dropped by 0.3 mmol, you need to eat once.

Correctly calculated administration of the hormone leads to effective treatment of diabetes mellitus and prevention of complications. The dose of insulin preparations for adults ranges from 8 units to 24 units, for children - no more than 8 units per day.

Contraindications for use

Like any medicine, rapid insulin has contraindications and side effects.

  • hepatitis, ulcers of the duodenum and stomach;
  • kidney stones, nephritis;
  • some heart defects.

Adverse reactions occur when the dosage is violated: severe weakness, increased sweating, salivation, rapid heartbeat, convulsions with loss of consciousness, coma.

Analogs of short insulins

How not to get confused by the names of similar medications in the pharmacy? Rapid-acting insulin, human or their analogues, are interchangeable:


Names of insulins Release form

(solution for injection 100IU/ml)

A country Prices (RUB)
Actrapid NM 10ml, bottle Denmark 278–475
Actrapid NM 40IU/ml 10ml, bottle Denmark, India 380
Actrapid NM Penfill 3ml, glass cartridge Denmark 820–1019
Apidra 3ml, glass cartridge Germany 1880–2346
Apidra Solostar 3ml, glass cartridge in pen syringe Germany 1840–2346
Biosulin R 3ml, glass cartridge India 972–1370
Biosulin R 10ml, bottle India 442–611
Gensulin R 10ml, bottle Poland 560–625
Gensulin R 3ml, glass cartridge Poland 426–1212
Insuman Rapid GT 3ml, glass cartridge Germany 653–1504
Insuman Rapid GT 5ml, bottle Germany, 1162–1570
Novorapid Penfill 3ml, glass cartridge Denmark 1276–1769
Novorapid FlexPen 3ml, glass cartridge in syringe pen Denmark 1499–1921
Rinsulin R 40IU/ml 10ml, bottle Russia No
Rosinsulin R 5ml, bottle Russia No
Humalog 3ml, glass cartridge France 1395–2000
Humulin Regular 3ml, glass cartridge France 800–1574
Humulin Regular 10ml, bottle France, USA 462–641

Conclusion

Short-acting insulin is a drug prescribed by an endocrinologist for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In order for the treatment to be effective and not cause harm in the form of hypo-, hyperglycemia, strictly adhere to the dose, time of administration, and dietary regimen. You can replace the drug with analogues only after consulting a doctor. It is very important to check your blood glucose levels yourself, get tested periodically, and adjust preventive and treatment measures.

diabetes-expert.ru

People with diabetes are forced to inject insulin into their muscle tissue. Pharmacological drugs of this group are analogues of a substance produced by the human body, or neutral substances of animal origin.

Indications for the use of short-acting insulins

The drug is needed in case of:

  • type 1 diabetes;
  • stages of resistance in type 2 diabetes;
  • if the diet is ineffective during pregnancy;
  • hyperglycemic coma.

Short-acting insulin preparations

Drugs of animal origin include:

  • Actrapid MS;
  • Iletin II Regular;
  • Insulrap SPP;
  • Monolin Regulator U240;
  • Brinsularpi MK;
  • Monosulin MK;
  • Pensulin SR.

Short-acting insulin is injected into the subcutaneous fat layer and after 15-30 minutes ensures rapid transport of amino acids and glucose to the cells. Duration of influence is 6-8 hours. However, the peak activity of the substance is only 1-3 hours.

Below are the names of short-acting insulin preparations similar to human insulin.

Quick remedies:

  • Actrapid NM;
  • Biogulin Regulator;
  • Berlinsulin N Normal;
  • Brinsularpi Ch;
  • Biosulin R;
  • Insuman Rapid;
  • Pensulin CR;
  • Humulin Regular;
  • Homorap.

After 15-30 minutes the effect of the drug begins. Duration of work is 5-8 hours, peak activity is 1-3 hours.

Ultra-fast, ultra-short-acting insulins:

  • Apidra;
  • Novaorapid;
  • Humalog.

The difference between this group is that the properties of the drug appear after 15 minutes. Duration of action is no more than 3-5 hours. Peak activity is 0.5-2.5 hours.

The active action time of short-acting insulin is directly related to several points. These include factors such as injection site, dosage, and patient anatomy.

The drugs are available in bottles and special cartridges. Insulin in cartridges are administered exclusively subcutaneously; drugs in vials are allowed to be used for intramuscular and intravenous injections for appropriate indications.

It is optimal to administer short-acting insulin 10-30 minutes before meals, remembering to change the injection site each time. The substance in the bottles can be used in combination, mixing with long-acting drugs. In this case, the combination drug is administered immediately after mixing the components. All short-acting insulins are dispensed only upon presentation of a prescription.

womanadvice.ru

Basic drugs

Short-acting insulins are soluble and can quickly stabilize various processes in the human body. This also applies to those associated with the absorption of glucose. At the same time, insulin is introduced into the composition of the medicinal components, which does not include any impurities, but is concentrated in its pure form. Therefore, its action is much more effective, hence the name short-acting insulin, because it begins to act extremely quickly.

The peak of activity, which determines the presented types of insulin, is identified within a few hours from the moment of its introduction.

This usually takes from one and a half to two hours, but depending on the body's reactions and their varieties, even longer reactions may be identified. However, the drug is characterized by a fairly rapid decline after such a powerful effect. After six hours, only insignificant traces of the previously introduced short-acting insulin remain in the blood.

Experts point out that short-acting insulin has an intraclass classification, namely short-acting and ultra-short-acting. Insulins, which belong to the first type, begin to act within half an hour from the moment of administration. They should be used no later than 30 minutes before eating food - this is how the presented types of insulin will be the most effective.

Ultra-short insulin is a composition that begins to work after 15 minutes. The presented medications are strongly recommended to be used approximately 5–10 minutes before eating or immediately after. Each name used must be agreed with a specialist who will help you choose the variety that is suitable in this particular case.

Ultra-short insulins include Humalog, Novorapid and Apidra - there is a special table. Names associated with short-acting insulin are Actrapid NM, Insuman, Rapid and some others. In addition to the varieties presented, experts identify a hormonal component with an average duration of action and a long-term one, the latter of which lasts at least 20 hours.

Component Features

Short insulin is a pure hormonal drug, which is made either on the basis of animals, or rather, pork insulin, or using biological synthesis using genetic engineering technologies. Any of them is in full accordance with the natural human hormone, and therefore has an excellent sugar-lowering effect. Please note that:

  1. unlike similar formulations with a long-term effect algorithm, they do not contain any additives. That is why they almost never provoke an allergic effect;
  2. In order to maintain an optimal blood sugar ratio in people with diabetes, short-acting insulin components are often used. They are introduced approximately 30 minutes before eating food, so that their long-term effect is most fully manifested;
  3. It is necessary to understand that each diabetic has his own physiological characteristics. That is why the calculation of the required volume of the drug is always carried out by a specialist on an individual basis.

In addition, it is extremely important that the ratio of food consumed is in direct accordance with the administered dosage of insulin.

This is what will ensure the most complete recovery course, and ultra-short-acting and long-acting insulin, like any other drug, will be 100% effective.

The key rules for introducing a hormonal component before eating food involve following certain rules. To carry out the injection, you must use only a special insulin syringe. Thanks to him, the exact dosage is introduced, which is prescribed by a specialist. The injection time should remain constant (that is, carried out at the same time), but it is strongly recommended to change the places where the injections will be given, also observing a certain frequency. It is unacceptable to massage the area in which the injection was given, because the natural absorption of the medicinal component into the blood should remain as smooth as possible, and not fast or sudden.

Short-acting insulin, like ultra-short-acting insulin, is a modified analogue of the human component. As noted earlier, this may explain the high speed of its influence on the human body. However, the presented composition was developed to provide emergency support to a person who experienced a jump in blood sugar due to a variety of reasons. That is why, as part of the comprehensive treatment of diabetes mellitus, it is used very rarely, like all its names.

Injected immunoreactive insulin - IRI - is necessary in a situation where a diabetic does not have the opportunity to wait a certain period of time before eating food. However, subject to proper nutrition, the presented medicine is not recommended for use. This is explained by the fact that the decline in its influence from peak indicators is extremely sharp, and therefore it is extremely difficult to calculate the correct dosage. In some situations, this also characterizes long-acting insulin.

Rules of application

Considering that insulins belonging to the short and ultra-short varieties are high quality preparations (and also close to human insulin), they rarely provoke allergic reactions. However, in some situations, a certain unpleasant effect may be identified, namely itching or irritation in the area of ​​the injection - this effect can last a very long time.

The hormonal component is strongly recommended to be introduced into the peritoneal area under the skin immediately after strength training has been carried out. It is necessary to start with small dosages and at the same time it is imperative to monitor all reactions from the body. Approximately 15 minutes after the injection, it is advisable to eat some sweet foods.

The ratio of carbohydrates eaten per unit of administered medicinal component should be ten to one.

After this, after 60 minutes you will need to eat a hearty meal; it is very important that the diet includes food that is rich in protein. An overdose of insulin or its incorrect use can provoke severe hypoglycemic syndrome. It is usually associated with a sudden decrease in blood sugar ratio.

In the vast majority of cases, after using ultra-short and short-acting insulin, a mild or moderate form of hypoglycemic state occurs. It is associated with certain pronounced symptoms:

  • dizziness and darkening of the eye area with a sudden change in body position;
  • acute feeling of hunger;
  • headache.

It is also necessary to pay attention to increased heart rate, increased sweating and a state of internal anxiety and irritability. After identifying at least one of the presented manifestations, it is strongly recommended to drink some sweet drink as soon as possible. In addition, after 15 minutes, experts recommend eating one serving of food that contains proteins and carbohydrates.

Taking all this into account, I would like to draw attention to the fact that short-acting insulin is a hormonal component that makes it possible to quickly normalize the blood sugar ratio. This happens faster than if you use long-acting insulin and similar varieties. However, when using it, it is necessary to take into account the application standards and other features so that the result of the impact is complete.

udiabeta.ru

The concept of short-acting insulins

As soon as such insulin is administered, it dissolves and quickly normalizes metabolic processes that are associated with the absorption of glucose.

Unlike long-acting drugs, they consist only of pure hormonal solution without any additives. From the name it is obvious that after administration they begin to work as quickly as possible, that is, they lower blood sugar levels in a relatively short time. But at the same time, they cease their effect faster than drugs with an average duration of action, as can be seen from the example of the following scheme:

When is this type of insulin prescribed?

Short-acting insulins are used alone or in combination with long-acting hormones. It is allowed to administer up to 6 times a day. Most often, it is prescribed in such cases as:

  • resuscitation therapy;
  • unstable body need for insulin;
  • surgical interventions;
  • fractures;
  • complications of diabetes - ketoacidosis.

How long does short-acting insulin last and when does it peak?

When administered subcutaneously, the longest effect of the drug is observed, which occurs after 30-40 minutes, just when the food eaten is being digested.

After taking the drug, the peak action of insulin is reached after 2-3 hours. The duration depends on the dose administered:

  • if 4 units–6 units, the duration of normalization of the condition is approximately 5 hours;
  • if 16 units or more, it can reach 6-8 hours.

After the period of action has expired, the drug is eliminated from the body by counter-insular hormones.

Types of short-acting insulin preparations

There are many short-acting insulin preparations, among which the drugs from the table are very popular:

The listed insulins are considered human genetically engineered, except for Monodar, which is classified as pork. Available in the form of a soluble solution in bottles. All of them are intended for the treatment of diabetes types 1 and 2. Often prescribed before long-acting drugs.

The drugs are not contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, since this type of insulin does not penetrate the placenta and into breast milk.

Ultra-short-acting insulin

This is the latest invention in pharmacology. It differs from other types in its almost instantaneous effect, normalizing blood sugar. The most prescribed drugs are:

These drugs are analogues of the human hormone. They are convenient in cases where you need to take food, but its quantity is unknown, when it is difficult to calculate the dose of insulin for digestion. You can eat first, then calculate the dose and inject the patient. Since the action of insulin is rapid, the food does not have time to be absorbed.

This ultra-short insulin is designed for use in cases where diabetic patients violate their diet and eat more sweets than recommended. Usually in such cases there is a sharp increase in sugar, which can lead to health complications. That's when these drugs can help. Sometimes, when the patient cannot wait about 40 minutes, but starts eating much earlier, this type of insulin can be injected again.

This type of insulin is not prescribed to patients who follow all dietary rules. Most often, only as an ambulance in case of a sharp jump in sugar.

It is not contraindicated in pregnant women diagnosed with diabetes. It is allowed to use even if there is pregnancy toxicosis.

The benefits of ultra-fast insulin are that it can:

  • reduce the frequency of high blood sugar at night, especially at the beginning of pregnancy;
  • help quickly normalize sugar in the expectant mother during a cesarean section;
  • reduce the risk of complications after eating.

These drugs are so effective that they can normalize sugar in a short time, while the dose is administered much less, which helps prevent various complications.

How to calculate short-term insulin - formulas for diabetics

There are various methods for calculating a single dose of short-acting insulin, which can be found below:

Based on glycemic level

Dose calculation based on food consumed

The single dose of short-acting insulin depends not only on the level of glucose in the blood, but also on the food consumed. So, for the calculation it is worth considering the following facts:

  • The unit of measurement for carbohydrates is bread units (XE). So, 1 XE = 10 g of glucose;
  • For each XE you need to inject 1 unit of insulin. For a more accurate calculation, this definition is used - 1 unit of insulin reduces the hormone by 2.0 mmol/l, and 1 XE of carbohydrate food raises it to 2.0 mmol/l, therefore, for every 0.28 mmol/l that exceeds 8, 25 mmol/l, 1 unit of the drug is administered;
  • If food does not contain carbohydrates, then the level of the hormone in the blood practically does not increase.

Calculation example: If before a meal the glucose level is 8 mmol/l, and you plan to eat 20 g of carbohydrate food or 2 XE (+4.4 mmol/l), then after eating the sugar level will rise to 12.4, while the norm is 6. Therefore, it is necessary to administer 3 units of the drug so that the sugar level drops to 6.4.

Maximum dose for a single administration

Any dose of insulin is adjusted by the attending physician, but it should not be higher than 1.0 units, which is calculated per 1 kg of his weight. This is the maximum dose.

Overdose can lead to complications.

Typically, the doctor adheres to the following rules:

  • If type 1 diabetes has only recently been diagnosed, a dose of no more than 0.5 U/kg is prescribed.
  • With good compensation throughout the year, the dose is 0.6 units/kg.
  • If instability is observed in type 1 diabetes, sugar is constantly changing, then 0.7 IU/kg is taken.
  • For a diagnosis of decompensated diabetes, the dose is 0.8 U/kg.
  • For ketacidosis, take 0.9 units/kg.
  • If pregnancy is in the last trimester - 1.0 units/kg.

How to inject short-acting insulin? (video)

All types of insulin are generally administered approximately the same way and before meals. It is recommended to select those areas on the human body where large blood vessels do not pass through and where there are deposits of subcutaneous fat.

When administered venously, the effect of insulin will be immediate, which is unacceptable in daily therapy. Therefore, subcutaneous administration of the drug is recommended, which promotes uniform absorption of insulin into the blood.

You can select the abdominal area, but do not inject within a radius of 6 cm from the navel. Before the injection, you need to wash the area and hands with soap and dry. Prepare everything you need for the procedure: a disposable syringe, a bottle of the drug and a cotton pad. Be sure to check the expiration date of the drug!

  1. Remove the cap from the syringe, leaving the rubber cap.
  2. Treat the needle with alcohol and carefully insert it into the bottle with the drug.
  3. Take the required amount of insulin.
  4. Remove the needle and release the air by moving the plunger of the syringe until a drop of insulin drips out.
  5. Use your thumb and index finger to make a small fold of leather. If the subcutaneous fat layer is thick, then insert the needle at an angle of 90 degrees; if it is thin, the needle must be slightly tilted at an angle of 45 degrees. Otherwise, the injection will not be subcutaneous, but intramuscular. If the patient is not overweight, it is better to use a thin and small needle.
  6. Slowly and smoothly inject insulin. The speed should be uniform during administration.
  7. When the syringe is empty, quickly remove the needle from under the skin and release the fold.
  8. Place a protective cap on the syringe needle and throw it away.

You cannot constantly inject in the same place, and the distance from one injection to another should be about 2 cm. Alternate injections: first in one thigh, then in the other, then in the buttock. Otherwise, compaction of the fat fiber may occur.

The rate of absorption of the hormone even depends on the choice of location. Insulin is absorbed fastest from the front wall of the abdomen, followed by the shoulders and buttocks, and later from the front of the thighs.

It is best to inject into the abdominal area so that the effect occurs faster as soon as food is taken.

You can learn more about the technique of administering insulin in this article or the following video:

In conclusion, it is worth noting that you cannot choose a short-acting drug on your own or change its dosage without a doctor’s prescription. It is necessary to develop, together with an endocrinologist, a scheme for its administration according to the regimen and amount of food taken. It is advisable to constantly change the injection site, store the drug correctly, and monitor the expiration dates. And at the slightest changes and complications, consult a doctor.

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Classification of short insulins

According to the time characteristics, short-acting insulin is:

  • Short (soluble, regulator) insulins– act after administration after half an hour, so it is recommended to use them 40-50 minutes before meals. The peak concentration of the active substance in the bloodstream is reached after 2 hours, and after 6 hours only traces of the drug remain in the body. Short insulins include human soluble genetically engineered, human soluble semisynthetic and monocomponent soluble pork.
  • Ultra-short (human-grade, analogue) insulins– begin to affect the body after administration 15 minutes later. Peak activity is also reached after a couple of hours. Complete elimination from the body occurs after 4 hours. Due to the fact that ultra-short insulin has a more physiological effect, drugs that contain it can be used 5-10 minutes before meals or immediately after meals. This type of medicine includes insulin aspart and semi-synthetic analogues of human insulin.

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Short-acting insulin in the treatment of diabetes

Insulin for diabetes helps prevent the development of complications, prolong the life of a diabetic and improve its quality. Also, injections of this drug reduce the load on the pancreas area, which contributes to the partial restoration of beta cells.

A similar effect can be achieved in type 2 diabetes with proper implementation of the treatment program and compliance with the regimen recommended by the doctor. Restoration of beta cells is also possible in type 1 diabetes only if the diagnosis is made in a timely manner and treatment measures are taken without delay.

What kind of diet should diabetics have? Check out our balanced menu for the week right now!

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Why do you need insulin?

The hormone insulin is produced by beta cells of the pancreas, known as the islets of Langerhans. The main task of the hormone is to reduce the concentration of sugar in the body, the amount of which increases sharply after each meal or during a stressful situation: the mechanism of action of adrenaline involves a sharp release of sugar into the blood to produce additional energy.

Insulin evenly delivers glucose and other nutrients that enter the body with food to all cells of the body.

If the islets of Langerhans for some reason stop producing the hormone, the body is unable to extract the energy it needs from food: despite the high amount of glucose in the blood, it does not reach many cells. Due to lack of food, they begin to experience hunger and die off after some time. This leads to malfunctions in the body, and if measures are not taken in time, the person dies.

In the old days, a diabetic was doomed to die. About a hundred years ago, insulin was first obtained from the pancreas of a dog, then it was extracted from the body of a cow and a pig. Since then, science has made great progress, and currently the artificial hormone is produced using genetic engineering, which is the best option because, unlike animal insulin, it has almost no contraindications, allergies or side effects.

The mechanism of action of synthetic insulin imitates the work of the natural hormone. Once in the blood, it is distributed throughout the body: from five to twenty percent of the drug binds to proteins, alpha and beta globulins. Most of the drug breaks down in the liver and kidneys, which remove the hormone from the body.

Classification of drugs

In addition to their origin, insulin medications are classified according to the speed at which they begin to act on the body and the duration of action. Which remedy to give preference in a given situation largely depends on the patient’s condition. The following types of insulin exist:

  • ultra-short drug (Humalog, NovoRapid, Apidra);
  • short-acting insulin (Actrapid, Humudar R);
  • Medication of medium duration (Insuman Bazan GT, Humudar B, Protafan MS);
  • long-acting medicine;
  • ultra-long-acting drug.

Insulin medications are mainly administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly. Intravenous injection is possible only with short-acting drugs and only as a last resort in diabetic precoma and coma. Before administering the drug, you need to warm it in your palms: the cold solution is absorbed slowly and is a painful injection.

How fast the action of insulin will be depends on the dose, injection site, and stage of the disease. The medicine enters the blood most quickly after an injection into the anterior abdominal wall, more slowly from the front of the thigh and shoulder area, and takes the longest from the buttock and shoulder blade. Before starting injections in one place or another, you need to consult a doctor who will accurately indicate the area. It is also necessary to consult a doctor if it is necessary to change the injection site.

Ultra-short-acting drug

Ultra-short-acting insulin can be administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly. The drugs, known as Apidra and NovoRapid, are injected intravenously if necessary. The action of insulin begins five to ten minutes after administration of the medicine, while the speed of Humalog’s effect on the body begins five minutes faster than other drugs in its group.

Ultra-short-acting insulins reach their peak within one and a half to three hours after administration of the drug. Their total duration of action is four to five hours.

Despite the fact that ultra-short-acting medications very quickly begin to affect the body, they are used infrequently: mainly to suppress surges in blood glucose that occur due to poor diet or in a stressful situation. They are also used when it is not possible to wait the required thirty to forty-five minutes before eating. Ultra-short medications must be administered a few minutes before a meal or immediately after a meal.

Such a short period of their influence on the body requires frequent injections, so the medicine is not prescribed as a permanent drug. The use of an ultra-short form of insulin does not free a diabetic from the need to follow a low-carbohydrate diet: only in this case will the glucose level be under control, which will avoid troubles due to sudden changes in sugar.

When using ultra-short-acting insulin, the patient and the doctor should take into account that such drugs are more powerful drugs than drugs with a longer action time. For example, 1 unit of Humalog lowers sugar levels by two and a half, and Apidra and NovoRapid by one and a half times more than a medicine with a short period. For this reason, their dose should be significantly lower than the dosage of a medicine with a different period of action.

One of the disadvantages of ultra-short drugs is that their effect on the body, as quickly as it begins, ends and falls just as abruptly. Therefore, it is very difficult to constantly adjust the diet so that the amount of glucose in the body remains within normal limits. Short-term insulin has a smoother transition mechanism, which promotes better absorption of food when following an appropriate diet.

Medicine with a short period of action

A drug with a short period of action should be administered thirty, preferably forty-five minutes before meals. When the peak effect of the medicine approaches, you need to have a snack. The medicine has an effect on the body within twenty to thirty minutes and reaches its maximum effect two to three hours after the injection. The action of insulin lasts from five to six hours.

Short-acting drugs are used when determining the dose of insulin, and also if a quick effect is needed and an ultra-short-acting drug is not available. Another area of ​​application is as anabolic agents that accelerate the formation and renewal of structural parts of cells, tissues, and muscle structures (administered in small doses).

Medium duration drugs

One of the significant disadvantages of short-acting insulins is that their use requires frequent injections. Therefore, scientists have developed medium-duration drugs, which are considered the best option for diabetics: their duration of action ranges from 16 hours to a day (depending on the disease, characteristics of the body, and method of administration). For this reason, the body requires no more than two to three injections per day.

The long period of action of the medicine is due to the presence of zinc or protamine (isophane, basal, protaphan) in the preparation, due to which they do not dissolve as well as short-acting insulins and are more slowly absorbed into the blood from the subcutaneous tissue, which provides a longer lasting effect. For the same reason, medications with an intermediate period of action are not intended for an immediate response to glucose surges: they begin to act within an hour or two after the injection.

The maximum effect of drugs with an average duration lasts much longer than that of drugs with a short period of action - it begins four hours after the administration of the hormone and subsides after twelve hours.

Long lasting effect

Long-acting medications include insulin drugs that act on the body from twenty to thirty-six hours. They begin to act late - two hours after administration and reach their peak after sixteen to twenty hours. Although long-acting insulin is characterized by a long-lasting effect, doctors prefer to use short- and intermediate-acting medications because hypoglycemia may be a problem in the morning after long-acting insulin is administered.

Therefore, they are prescribed mainly to diabetics who have reduced sensitivity to insulin, as well as to elderly people and those who have vision problems, therefore they cannot inject themselves and are forced to wait for a nurse or go to the hospital.

Recently, ultra-long-acting drugs have begun to appear, affecting the body for about forty-two hours. But long-acting insulin is not particularly popular.

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Types of insulin

Based on the speed of action, insulins are divided into several groups:

  • Ultra-short-acting insulin;
  • Short-acting drugs;
  • Intermediate acting insulin;
  • Long-acting medications;
  • Combined or mixed insulin.

There is also a simpler classification, where medications are divided into short-acting and long-acting insulin preparations.

Short insulin

This type of drug begins to act very quickly, in most cases already in the first half hour, sometimes the onset of action is delayed for a couple of hours. But the effect of such a substance is very short: only six to eight hours.

There are many ways to administer short-acting insulin, and it depends on them when fast-acting insulin begins to work:

  • When administered intravenously, the substance begins to act within one minute;
  • The intranasal method is also quite fast - the hormone starts working in ten minutes;
  • Intraperitoneal administration (i.e., into the peritoneum) allows the active substance to reach its peak effect after fifteen minutes;
  • When administered intramuscularly, the hormone begins to lower glucose levels after an hour;
  • The subcutaneous route of administration is even slower - in this case, the hormone acts only after an hour and a half.

Injections should be given at least forty minutes before meals so that the body is able to break down glucose. The disadvantage of short-acting insulin is the need to give new injections every six to eight hours.

Representatives of this type include soluble:

  • A human genetically engineered hormone obtained from pork, in which an amino acid is replaced, for example, Bioinsulin R, Insuran R, Rinsulin R, and so on;
  • Human semi-synthetic insulin obtained through the use of Escherichia coli, for example, Humodar R;
  • Pork monocomponent, which differs from human in just one amino acid, for example, Monodar.

This type of substance is so named because it begins to work within fifteen minutes of administration, but it is eliminated from the body too quickly, stopping its effect after four hours. Such insulins are advantageous in that when they are used, you do not need to wait an hour before eating, it is absorbed much faster and you can eat within five to ten minutes after the injection, and there is also the option of administering the drug not before, but after a meal.

Ultra-short insulin is considered the most powerful among all drugs based on this hormone; its effect on the body is twice as strong as that of short- and long-acting medications. It is often used when there are sudden spikes in blood sugar levels, as this can lead to serious complications and even coma.

This drug is indispensable in emergency situations, for example, when it is impossible to calculate the time of eating; the very rapid absorption of the substance allows you not to worry about a possible hyperglycemic coma. But it is important to be able to calculate the required dosage, since one unit of a drug based on an ultra-short substance can reduce the sugar concentration by two to two and a half times, and an overdose will increase the likelihood of another coma - hypoglycemic. The amount of the drug for injection should be no more than 0.04 of the dosage of short-acting insulin.

The main types of ultra-short insulin include the following names:

  • Humalog;
  • Apidra;

Long-acting insulins

The comparative characteristics of short-term insulin and long-acting substances are presented in the following table:

Short acting insulin Long-acting insulin
It is preferable to administer the substance into the stomach, since this ensures rapid absorption. For slower absorption, injections are made into the thigh.
It is administered some time before meals (depending on the type of short-acting insulin), usually fifteen minutes or half an hour. It is necessary to give injections at approximately the same time in the mornings and evenings; the morning injection is given together with short-acting insulin.
Simple insulin should be administered only before meals; you cannot refuse to eat, as this risks hypoglycemic coma. This type of drug is not associated with meals; it imitates the release of insulin not before meals, but throughout the day.

Long-acting drugs include such types of insulin as:

  • Medications of medium duration of action, for example, NPH and Lente;
  • Long-acting drugs such as Detemir and Glargine.

Despite their primary purpose of mimicking basal insulin secretion, long-acting drugs are often absorbed at different rates throughout the day in the same patient. That is why constant monitoring of sugar levels is necessary, which, even when using insulin-based medications, can jump sharply.

Mixed insulins contain short- and long-acting substances in different proportions, depending on the desired effect on the body.

The main advantage of such drugs is that their effect occurs quite quickly, within half an hour after the injection, and lasts for fourteen to sixteen hours. Since the nuances of the effect on the body depend on the proportions of the hormones included in the drug, you cannot start taking it on your own without consulting a doctor, who is obliged to calculate the dosage and choose the drug, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body, the type of diabetes, and so on.

The main representative of mixed drugs is Novomix 30, which can even be used by pregnant women.

When starting insulin therapy, the doctor must calculate the required daily dosage of the drug based on age, weight, type of diabetes and the individual characteristics of the patient. The amount calculated for a day must be divided into three or four parts, which will constitute a one-time dosage. Constant monitoring of glucose levels allows you to more accurately calculate the amount of active ingredient required.

Today, syringe pens are very popular, which have a very thin needle and can be safely carried in your pocket, giving an injection every time it is necessary. Before the injection, you need to massage the skin area well; you should not make the next injection in the same place, it is better to alternate.

The most common dosage regimen:

  • In the morning - short- and long-acting hormones together;
  • Day – short exposure;
  • Evening – short exposure;
  • Night is a long-acting hormone.

Side effects

If taken incorrectly, the following complications may occur:

  • Itching and redness at the injection site, allergic reactions;
  • Symptoms of hypoglycemia: severe hunger, increased heart rate, trembling, weakness. This condition may occur if a person has exceeded the dosage of the drug or has not eaten after the injection;
  • Lipodystrophy, or disruption of the integrity of subcutaneous tissue at injection sites. The reason is a violation of the injection technique: inserting the needle into the same place, the solution is too cold, the needle is blunt, and so on.

Insulin for bodybuilding

Preparations based on the pancreatic hormone have a pronounced anabolic effect, so they are actively used in bodybuilding. Due to insulin, metabolism improves, fat is burned faster, and muscle mass actively grows. The anti-catabolic effect of the substance allows you to maintain significantly increased muscles, preventing them from shrinking.

Despite all the advantages of using insulin in bodybuilding, there is a risk of developing hypoglycemic coma, which without proper first aid can be fatal. It is believed that doses above 100 units are already considered fatal, and although some remained healthy even after 3000 units, it is not worth risking your health even for the sake of beautiful and sculpted muscles. The coma state does not occur instantly; a person has time to increase the supply of glucose into the body, so death is quite rare, but this does not negate its likelihood.

The course of administration is quite complicated; it cannot be used for more than two months, since in this case it may disrupt the hormone’s own production. The first injections start with two units, then this number gradually increases by two more. If the reaction is normal, you can increase the dose to 15 units. The gentlest method of administration is injection of a small amount of the substance every other day. Under no circumstances should you administer the medicine before training or before bed.

Insulin is a substance that plays a very important role in the body, which is why closely monitoring changes in its secretion will help maintain health and well-being. The wide variety of forms of the hormone allows you to choose it for any patient, allowing him to live a full life and not fear the onset of a coma.

Blood sugar in children is normal

Insulin preparations are a component of the complex treatment of insulin-dependent and insulin-requiring diabetes types 1 and 2. One of the dangerous complications of the disease is a hyperglycemic crisis. Short-acting insulin replacement therapy allows you to maintain normal blood glucose levels, avoiding serious consequences.

Mechanism of action

Metabolic disorders cause disruption of the processes of absorption and excretion of glucose. Normally, it serves as a source of energy for the body. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is involved in the distribution and transport of glucose. In diabetes, the endocrine system is unable to form it in sufficient quantities.

Synthetic short-acting insulin was developed about 20 years ago. An analogue of the human hormone is obtained in two ways. The first is through genetic engineering: the synthesis of genetically modified bacteria and the formation of a hormone from proinsulin obtained from them. The second is the production of a hormone based on animal insulin - porcine or bovine.

After administration, short-acting insulin binds to receptors on the cell membrane and then penetrates inside. The hormone activates biochemical processes. This is especially evident in insulin-dependent liver cells, adipose and muscle tissue.

Insulin regulates metabolism and affects blood sugar levels. The hormone is involved in the movement of glucose across the cell membrane and helps convert sugar into energy. In the liver, glycogen is formed from glucose. This action of insulin leads to a decrease in blood glucose, which prevents the progression of diabetes and the occurrence of hyperglycemia.

The duration of absorption and action of insulin depends on the injection site, dose and concentration of the solution. The process is also affected by blood circulation and muscle tone. The effect of the drugs depends on the individual characteristics of each patient.

The administration of insulin allows diabetics to control body weight, activate fat metabolism, and prevent complications from the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Types of insulin preparations

Insulin preparations differ depending on the duration of absorption from subcutaneous tissue and action. Long-acting insulins are capable of normalizing blood glucose concentrations within 1–1.5 days by simulating the basal release of a hormone not associated with food intake.

A similar effect is produced by drugs of medium duration. Their effect is observed after 1–4 hours and lasts for about 12–16 hours.

Short-acting insulin lowers blood glucose concentrations by mimicking the release of the hormone associated with food intake. It is administered half an hour before meals. Ultra-short-acting products have a very quick effect.

Characteristics of insulin preparations depending on the duration of action
View Drug names Onset of effect after administration (minutes) Peak activity after injection (hours) Action (hours)
Ultra short Humalog, Apidra 5–20 0,5–2 3–4
Short Actrapid NM, Humulin R, Insuman 30–40 2–4 6–8
Average Protafan NM, Insuman 60–90 4–10 12–16
Long Lantus, Levemir 60–120 16–30

Short insulin can be genetically engineered (Actrapid NM, Rinsulin R, Humulin Regula), semi-synthetic (Humudar R, Biogulin R) or pork (Actrapid MS, Monosulin MK).

Instructions for use

The doctor determines the type and dosage of the drug, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient, age, indications and nature of the disease. Before using insulin, be sure to read the instructions. Short-acting insulins can be prescribed as monotherapy or in combination with long-acting drugs.

The daily dose of short-acting insulin for adults is 8–24 units, for children – no more than 8 units. Due to the increased release of growth hormone into the blood, the dose for adolescents is increased. The patient can independently calculate the dosage. 1 dose of the hormone consists of the dose required to assimilate a unit of bread and a dose to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood. Both components are equal to zero. For overweight diabetics, the coefficient is reduced by 0.1, and for underweight patients, the coefficient is increased by 0.1. For patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, the dose is calculated at 0.4–0.5 U/kg. Depending on the type of drug, from 1 to 6 injections per day can be prescribed.

Daily dose of short-acting insulin: for adults – 8–24 units, for children – no more than 8 units.

The dose may be adjusted. Increasing it is required in case of individual resistance to the hormone, in combination with corticosteroids, contraceptives, antidepressants and some diuretics.

The drug is administered using a special insulin syringe or pump. This device allows you to carry out the procedure with maximum precision, which cannot be done with a conventional syringe. Only a clear solution without sediment can be administered.

Short-acting insulin is administered 30–40 minutes before meals. After the injection, you should not skip meals. The portion after each dose administered should be the same. 2-3 hours after eating the main course, you need to have a snack. This will help maintain blood glucose levels.

To speed up the process of insulin absorption, the selected area should be slightly warmed up before injection. The injection site cannot be massaged. The injection is given subcutaneously in the abdominal area.

When blood sugar concentrations increase, an additional dose of insulin is required, regardless of the prescribed course.

Recommended dose of insulin based on glucose levels
Sugar concentration (mmol/l) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Dose (IU) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Special patient groups

Short-acting insulin is often used by bodybuilding athletes. The effect of the drug is equivalent to the effect of anabolic agents. Short-term insulin activates the transport of glucose to all cells of the body, in particular to muscle tissue. This helps to increase it and maintain muscle tone. In this case, the doctor sets the dose individually. The course of treatment lasts 2 months. After a 4-month break, the drug can be repeated.

Sometimes, when there is a deficiency of carbohydrates in the foods consumed, the body begins to use fat tissue reserves as an energy source. When it breaks down, ketone bodies called acetone are released. In case of high blood glucose levels and the presence of ketones in the urine, the patient requires additional administration of short-term insulin - 20% of the daily dose. If after 3 hours there is no improvement, you need to repeat the injection.

Diabetics with elevated body temperature (up to +37 o C) need to perform glucometry and take insulin. On average, the daily dose is increased by 10%. At temperatures up to +39 o C, the daily dose is increased by 20–25%. Under the influence of high temperature, insulin is quickly destroyed, so hyperglycemia may occur. The daily dose should be evenly distributed and administered at intervals of 3–4 hours.

Side effects

The formation of antibodies to insulin can lead to an increased reaction with proteins. This causes insulin resistance. Hormone resistance is often observed with the administration of porcine or bovine insulin.

Short-acting drugs rarely cause side effects. Allergic reactions usually occur in the form of skin itching and redness. Sometimes there is irritation at the injection site.

In case of an overdose or improper use of short-acting insulin, hypoglycemic syndrome is possible, characterized by a sharp decrease in blood glucose levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia: dizziness, headache, acute hunger, rapid pulse, increased sweating, anxiety and irritability. To eliminate the symptoms, you need to drink a glucose solution, and after 15–20 minutes, take a portion containing a sufficient amount of proteins and carbohydrates. You can’t go to bed: this can trigger the onset of a hypoglycemic coma.

Short-acting insulin quickly and effectively normalizes blood glucose levels. This replacement therapy allows diabetics to live to their full potential and prevent possible complications.

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The main drug for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is insulin. Its purpose is to maintain a constant level of sugar in the patient’s blood. Modern pharmacology has developed several types of insulin, which are classified according to the duration of their activity. So, there are five types of this hormone from ultra-short to long-acting.

What is

Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Based on the speed of onset of the effect and duration of action, it is divided into the following subtypes: short, ultra-short, medium and long (prolonged) duration. Doctors prescribe treatment, type of medicine and dosage depending on the patient’s condition, severity of the disease, and laboratory test results.

Recognized as an emergency remedy ultra-short insulins, which begin to act very quickly, that is, they can sharply reduce blood glucose levels.

The maximum therapeutic effect exhibited by short-acting insulin is recorded just half an hour after the hormone is administered subcutaneously.

As a result of the injection, the sugar level is leveled to acceptable limits, and the diabetic’s condition improves. However short acting insulin It is eliminated from the body quite quickly - within 3-6 hours, which, with constantly elevated sugar levels, requires the use of long-acting medications.

Classification of hormones by duration of exposure

Initially short acting insulin was developed for those patients who could violate the diet prescribed by the doctor - eat foods with easily digestible carbohydrates. Today it has been improved and is suitable for the treatment of diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, in cases where a sick person has an increase in blood glucose levels after eating.

A fast-acting ultrashort ICD is a transparent substance that starts working instantly. So, ultra-short acting insulin after entering the body, it can have an effect (reduce the percentage of sugar in the blood) within one minute. On average, its work can begin 1-20 minutes after administration. The maximum effect is achieved after 1 hour, and the duration of exposure ranges from 3 to 5 hours. It is very important to eat quickly to eliminate hyperglycemia.

Fast acting short insulin, essential medicines:

  • Apidra.
  • Humalog.
  • NovoRapid.

Modern rapid acting insulin, just like ultra-short, has a transparent structure. It is characterized by a slower effect - a decrease in blood glucose is observed half an hour after administration. The shortest effect is achieved after 2-4 hours, and the duration of impact on the body is longer - it works for 6-8 hours. It is very important to eat no more than half an hour after short insulin will enter the body.

The duration of short-acting insulin is from 6 to 8 hours

Ultrashort-acting fast-acting agents:

  • Actrapid.
  • Insuman.
  • Humulin.

Features of the medicine

Everyone is different, so insulin can have different effects on the body. Also, the period for achieving optimal sugar levels when administering the drug may differ significantly from the average norms. Insulins with a prolonged duration of action have the greatest effect. However, it has been proven that short insulin is in no way inferior to medium and long-term therapeutic effects. But every patient must remember the importance of following a diet and physical activity.

The most optimal way to be introduced into the body short insulin, like ultra-short, is an injection into the abdomen. One of the main conditions is that the hormone enters the blood at the same time before meals. As the instructions for use indicate, the medicine should be injected 20-30 minutes before meals. The effectiveness of the drug has a clear dependence on food.

After short acting insulins enter the blood, a person must eat, otherwise the amount of sugar may drop sharply, leading to hypoglycemia.

Number of injections per day

Most patients require only one injection per day. As a rule, these are medium- and long-acting insulins, as well as combined agents (including ultra-short and medium-acting hormones). The latter are the most optimal, as they include rapid insulin and a long-acting drug.

For some diabetics, one injection per day is not enough. For example, in some extreme cases, such as air travel, an unplanned dinner in a restaurant, etc. That is why rapid response means are used. However, they have some disadvantages due to their unpredictability - they act too quickly and for a short time and are also quickly eliminated from the body. Therefore, only a doctor should prescribe a treatment regimen, guided by laboratory data.

First of all, the level of fasting glycemia and its fluctuations during the day are determined. The level of glucosuria is also measured over the course of a day. After this, drugs are prescribed, which subsequently, under the control of the level of reduction of hyperglycemia and glycosuria, can be adjusted in relation to dosages. Hypoglycemia can be relieved by injecting glucagon into the muscle or subcutaneously.

A diabetic needs to know the symptoms of hypoglycemia in order to stop this condition in time

Complications

The most common complication in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is hypoglycemia (a sharp decrease in blood glucose), which can be diagnosed as a result of the administration of large doses of medication or insufficient intake of carbohydrates from food.

The manifestation of a hypoglycemic state is very characteristic: the patient begins to tremble, a rapid heartbeat, nausea, and a feeling of hunger appear. Often the patient feels numbness and slight tingling in the lips and tongue.

If this condition is not treated immediately, the diabetic may lose consciousness and develop a coma. He needs to quickly normalize his condition: eat something sweet, take a little sugar, drink sweet tea.

Consequences and adverse reactions of the body

Modern medications to normalize the functioning of the endocrine system rarely lead to side effects or allergies. However, the following conditions and disorders are possible:

  • Some of the most common manifestations are skin diseases caused by allergies and insulin resistance.
  • Visual disturbances can occur at the very beginning of insulin therapy; they tend to disappear on their own within 2-3 weeks.
  • Swelling, which may also appear in the first days of treatment, goes away on its own.
  • Quite rare side effects include lipodystrophy, which occurs at the site of repeated injections. A distinction is made between lipoatrophy, which is manifested by dystrophic changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, and lipohypertrophy, which is excessive growth of subcutaneous fat. To prevent such conditions, the instructions for use recommend changing the injection site more often.
  • Local reactions (unbearable itching, the appearance of subcutaneous nodules, local rash) may occur due to insufficient purification of the substance from impurities. Most often, such problems occur when using drugs based on animal insulin, bovine or porcine.

If adverse reactions appear systematically, it is recommended to replace drugs of animal synthesis with derivatives of human ultra-short and short-acting insulin.

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Every person diagnosed with diabetes should cooperate with their attending endocrinologist, without shifting responsibility for their health and condition to him. First of all, you need to eat right, be able to calculate the dose of medications, know your blood glucose levels, exercise, do sports, and not violate the medications prescribed by your doctor.