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Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• What is diabetes?
• What are the types of diabetes?
• What are the symptoms of diabetes?
• What are the various brand names and types of insulin?
• What insulin preparations are available?
• For what type of diabetes is insulin prescribed?
• What is the dosage and how is insulin administrated?
• What are the side effects of insulin?
• What are the contraindications, warnings, and precautions for insulin?
• Which drugs interact with insulin?
• How well does insulin treat diabetes?
• What is the mechanism of action for insulin?
• Insulin for Diabetes Treatment: Types Side Effects Index

How well does insulin treat diabetes?

Efficacy of insulin

• In a 24 week study of patients with type 1 diabetes, regular human subcutaneous insulin (mean dose = 18.3 IU) before breakfast and dinner plus human insulin isophane suspension twice daily (mean dose = 37.1 IU) reduced HbA1c by 0.4% from baseline and fasting glucose by -6 mg/dl.
• In a 24 week study of patients with type 2 diabetes, regular human subcutaneous insulin (mean dose = 25.5 IU) before breakfast and dinner plus human insulin isophane suspension twice daily (mean dose = 52.3 IU) reduced HbA1c by 0.6% from baseline and fasting glucose by -6 mg/dl.

What is the mechanism of action for insulin?

Pharmacology (Mechanism of Action) of insulin

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It regulates the movement of glucose from blood into cells. Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake primarily by skeletal muscle cells and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis (breakdown of fat), proteolysis (breakdown of proteins), and gluconeogenesis (manufacture of glucose). It also increases protein synthesis and conversion of excess glucose into fat. Exogenous insulins are pharmacologically similar to the naturally produced hormone. Patients with diabetes are insensitive to insulin and do not produce enough insulin which leads to hyperglycemia and other symptoms of diabetes. Exogenous insulin preparations replace insulin in diabetics, increasing the uptake of glucose and reducing short and long terms consequences of diabetes.

REFERENCES:

eMedicineHealth.com. Diabetes.

FDA prescribing information for Humulin, Lantus, Levemir, Apidra, Humalog, and Novolog.

Micromedex: 1974-2012 Thompson Reuters

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.