Classification of insulin: main types, action

Insulin is considered a hormone that is responsible for the release of glucose into the blood cells, providing them with energy for functioning. The lack of effective insulin plays a key role in the development of diabetes. This can lead to complications. The classification of insulins in pharmacology and treatment divides the drugs into different categories of properties depending on the duration and type of origin.

Hormones are chemical vehicles that instruct certain cells or tissues to act in a necessary way, while maintaining a specific function in the body. Insulin is essential for survival.

Basic definition

The hormone insulin is needed to control blood sugar and absorb energy. This substance is a chemical messenger that allows cells to absorb glucose, as well as sugar from the blood. The classification of insulin contains various groups of drugs. They are necessary to select the right treatment.

The pancreas is an organ that is the main source of insulin in the body. Clusters of cells in the pancreas, called islets, produce a hormone and determine the amount based on the blood glucose in the body.

The higher this mark is, the more insulin enters the production to balance the amount of sugar entering the blood. Insulin also helps in breaking down fats or proteins for energy.

The delicate balance of insulin regulates blood sugar and many processes in the body. If the insulin level is too low or high, excessively high, negative symptoms may begin to appear. If a low or high sugar condition continues, serious health problems can occur.

The main hormonal problems

In some people, the immune systems attack the islets on the pancreas, and they stop producing insulin or not enough. When this happens, glucose remains in the blood, and cells cannot absorb it in order to convert sugar into energy. So type 1 diabetes appears, and a person with this kind of disease will need regular injections of insulin in order to survive. The degree and nature of the disease may vary.

In the classification of insulin there are different groups of substances. Depending on the type of disease, they help to cope with the breakdown of glucose to varying degrees.

In some people, especially those who are overweight, obese or inactive, insulin is ineffective for transferring glucose to cells and is not able to perform its actions. The inability of this hormone to exert its influence on tissues is called insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes will develop when the islets on the pancreas cannot produce hormone to overcome the threshold of insulin resistance. From the beginning of the 20th century, doctors can excrete insulin and inject it in an injection form to supplement the hormone for people who cannot produce it themselves or have increased resistance.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition in which the body loses its ability to produce the necessary hormone or begins to create or use insulin less effectively, which leads to too high glucose levels (hyperglycemia).

This excess rate may eventually damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves, as well as cause heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in the world. The main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational subspecies.

With diabetes

The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreatic beta cells. The main goal of the substance is to deliver glucose from our bloodstream to the body to generate energy. If you are lacking in insulin, sugar builds up in the blood, and is not converted. To solve the problem requires special tools. The current classification of insulin contains the necessary list of drugs. Their specific type is prescribed only by the attending physician.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce a substance, so it must be administered regularly every day to stay alive. In type 2 diabetes, a person does not produce enough insulin, or the hormone obtained does not work properly. Injections of such a substance are sometimes necessary to control blood glucose levels. In diabetes mellitus with long-acting insulin, successful treatment courses can be taken. However, such drugs have only a therapeutic effect.

Treatment

People with type 1 diabetes should inject insulin every day, often up to four or five times a day. They can use a special device to deliver the substance. To do this, introduce a new cannula (a very thin plastic tube) under the skin every two to three days. Sometimes people with type 2 diabetes also need to start using insulin when their diet, physical activity, and pills are no longer able to effectively control their blood glucose levels. It is important to decide on the medicine. The classification of insulin preparations has the necessary categories of substances. They are mainly divided by duration and origin.

The need to start an injection can be frightening. However, administering insulin is much easier than most people think. Different devices can be used to facilitate hormone delivery. Syringe needles are very nice and thin, like cannulas. Often people who need insulin feel much better when they start to use this substance systematically.

If you need to start using this hormone, you should consult your doctor.

He will advise and help you:

1. Determine the type and action of your insulin.
2. How, where and when to administer the drug.
3. How to prepare injection sites.
4. Where to buy the drug and how to safely store it.
5. How to deal with low blood glucose.
6. How to keep track of health indicators and insulin doses.
7. Where to go for emergency assistance.

An important part of insulin correction is the regular monitoring and recording of blood glucose levels.

It may take some time to safely reach the right dose for you, and remember that dosages do not always remain constant throughout your life. Therefore, you need to visit your healthcare provider regularly.

When you start using insulin, it’s important to get tested by an accredited dietitian to understand how carbohydrates and hormone work together. This is a necessary practice.

If you have type 1 diabetes, then you will learn how to count carbohydrates and compare insulin with the food you eat. This is the perfect way to deal with diabetes. Therefore, the dose of insulin with food can vary from the volume and timing of the drug.

Main types

Fast and short-acting insulin helps lower blood glucose while eating, and an intermediate or long-acting insulin helps manage the general needs of the body. Both help control levels and vital indicators. This classification of insulin preparations is most common. However, there are other types.

Insulin is grouped by how long it works in the body. Five different types of hormone range from fast to long acting. Some types of insulin look transparent, while others are cloudy. Consult with your pharmacist if the drug you are taking should be purer or more solid.

Before injecting cloudy insulin through a pen with a cartridge or syringe, you need to gently twist it in your hand to make sure that the drug is evenly mixed (until it becomes milky). Often people need a medicine, both quick and long acting. All cases are not alike, and the solutions to them are applied in different combinations.

Currently available insulins for use are generally classified based on their projected onset and duration of action, as indicated below.

General classifications:

1. High-speed analog.
2. Short action or neutral.
3. Medium or long acting.
4. Mixed.
5. Analog mixed.
6. Long-term counterpart.
7. Extra long analog.

Analogs are insulins in which the natural amino acid sequence has been modified to accelerate or slow down compared to natural insulin. Please note that the commercial names of the drug products may vary internationally.

High-speed analog

Classification of insulin by origin begins with high-speed analogues. Let's start with them. In all dosages, a fluid volume of 1 ml = 100 units of insulin (U100).

These are drugs in which the natural amino acid sequence has been modified to accelerate the action compared to natural insulin.

Main characteristics:

1. Must be taken immediately before or with food.
2. Onset of action within 15 minutes.
3. Duration of action is 3-5 hours.
4. The duration of action may vary depending on the physiology of a person.

Types of Short Insulin:

1. Aspart (available as NovoRapid or, in the new high-speed Fiasp form).
2. Lispro (Humalog).
3. Glulisin (Apidra).

High-speed insulin and the types of insulin, the names of which are indicated above, are often used and prescribed by doctors. Although the action is not a lasting effect, it comes quickly enough.

Short action or neutral

The classification of insulin by origin also includes neutral drugs.

Main characteristics:

1. You need to take everything 20-30 minutes before eating.
2. The onset of action is within 30 minutes.
3. Duration of action is 6-8 hours.
4. Dosage is calculated individually.

Types of short acting and neutral insulin:

1. Received from cows (Hypurin Bovine Neutral).
2. Received from pigs (Gipurin).
3. Human insulin (Actrapid, Humulin S, Insuman Rapid).

Medium or Long-acting

The main category of drug use is medium. Classification of insulin by duration of action includes drugs obtained not only from humans, but also from animals.

Characteristics of drugs:

1. Must be taken 30 minutes before eating or sleeping.
2. The onset of action within 30-60 minutes.
3. The duration of action is 12-18 hours.
4. Dosage is calculated separately for each.

Types of "medium and long action":

1. Human insulin (Insulatard, Humulin, Insuman Bazal).
2. Obtained from cows (Hypurin Bovine Isophane, Hypurin Bovine Lente, PZI Hypurin).
3. Obtained from pigs (Hypurin Porcine Isophane).

It is these types of insulin that are most often prescribed by doctors. Each category of drugs has a high response with a long course of treatment. An inhibitory substance is well tolerated by various groups of people.

Mixed

Classification of insulin by duration of action also includes a type of mixed exposure. This is usually a mixture of short and intermediate action of the hormone in one injection.

Characteristics of drugs:

1. You need to take everything 20-30 minutes before eating.
2. The onset of action within 30-60 minutes.
3. The duration of action is 12-14 hours.
4. Individual dosage calculation.

Types of "mixed" drugs:

1. Human insulin, 30% short acting (Humulin M3).
2. Obtained from pigs, 30% short-acting (Hypurin Porcine 30/70).
3. Human insulin, 25% short acting (Insuman Rapid GT 25).
4. Human Insulin, 50% Short Action (Insuman Rapid GT 50).

Analog mixed

The choice of drugs is large. Many countries have their own drugs. When considering what types of insulin exist, you should familiarize yourself with non-targeted drugs. A mixture of a fast-acting analogue of the hormone and the intermediate in one injection. It is considered a biphasic drug.

Specification:

1. The drug should be taken before or with food.
2. The onset of action within 15-30 minutes.
3. The duration of action is 12-14 hours.
4. The dosage is calculated by the doctor after receiving patient analyzes.

Types of "analog mixed":

1. Lispro (Humalog Mix 25, Humalog Mix 50).
2. Aspart (Novomix 30).
3. Mixed Aspart analogues available on the market.

Long term equivalent

When answering the question of what types of insulin exist, long-acting drugs are also noted. These are drugs in which the natural amino acid sequence has been modified to promote a slower action than when using the natural hormone.

Specifications:

1. It can be used once or twice a day as a long-acting medicine. It can be taken at any time, but daily.
2. The onset of action within 30-60 minutes.
3. The duration of action is 18-24 hours.
4. Dosage is set by a doctor.

Types of Long Insulin:

1. Glargin (Lantus).
2. Detemir (Levemir).

Extra long analog

The classification in the pharmacology of insulin preparations includes superlong samples.

Characteristics of the drug:

1. It can be used once a day or two to three times a week as a long-acting insulin.
2. It can be taken at any time, but at the same time daily.
3. The onset of action within 30-90 minutes.
4. Duration of action is up to 42 hours.
5. It is prescribed after receiving the results of a blood test.

Types of "superlong" analogs are presented in all preparations containing insulin degludec. Also, do not forget about the appointment of such groups of drugs. Considering the question of what types of insulin are given according to free prescriptions, it is important to indicate the current norms in a particular region. The category of the drug is given to type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Only the attending physician prescribes a specific type of free insulin. The type of drug for subsidies can be any.

Injection Devices

Various devices for delivering insulin to the body are available. The main choices are syringes, medical pens with cartridges and pumps. The choice of device depends on the type of disease, personal intolerance and physiological characteristics of the patients.

Syringes

Each type of insulin has its own types of properties and differences. The type of injection device used depends on these factors. Syringes are produced in quantities of 30 units (0.3 ml), 50 units (0.5 ml) and 100 units (1.0 ml). The size of the required device will depend on the dose of insulin. For example, it is easier to measure a dose of 10 units in a syringe of 30 units and 55 units in a syringe of 100 units. Syringe needles are available in lengths from 8 to 13 mm. Usually the attending physician decides what size of the syringe and needle is suitable for the patient.

Insulin syringes are for single use only and are available free of charge in some countries. Most adults no longer use syringes to inject medicine. They now use insulin pens for greater convenience or special pumps. These are more advanced injection solutions.

Pens

How many types of insulin, so many methods and devices for its use. This is necessary for better delivery of the drug to the body. Insulin companies have developed special pens (disposable and reusable) that are used with their own brand of drug.

Disposable medicine pens already have a refilled cartridge. They must be disposed of after use or if not used and stored in the refrigerator for one month or after the expiration date.

Reusable insulin pens require the introduction of an insulin cartridge or penfill (3 ml containing 300 units of the drug). After use, such a device can be refilled with a pre-purchased cartridge with a substance.

Handle cartridges must also be disposed of one month after the start of use if the substance is still in the cartridge. The attending physician should consult and select the type of device necessary for the patient.

Needles for pens are disposable. They are screwed onto drug injection devices. Needles are available in various lengths, from 4 mm to 12.7 mm. Their thickness also varies depending on the volume of the infused substance. It is important that a new needle is used with every injection.

Pumps

Statistics of different types of insulin show that the use of pumps increases every year. Usually children use this type of device. An insulin pump is a small, programmable device that contains a drug reservoir located on the patient’s body. Such a device is programmed to deliver the substance into the adipose tissue of the body (usually into the abdominal cavity) through a thin plastic tube, known as an infusion set, or a kit for delivering a medicine. The pump uses only fast-acting insulin.

The infusion set has a thin needle or flexible cannula, which is inserted immediately under the skin. It changes every two to three days. . , , .

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Used syringes, pen needles, cannulas and lancets should be disposed of in a well-wound bag or disposable plastic container that is puncture resistant and has a secure lid. These containers are usually yellow in color and are available at pharmacies and stores.

Drug storage

Insulin must be stored correctly. Basic rules include:

1. Storage of unopened insulin in the packaging in the refrigerator.
2. Maintaining the temperature of the refrigerator from 2 to 8 ° C.
3. Make sure that insulin does not freeze.
4. After opening, store at room temperature (less than 25 ° C) for no more than one month, and then safely dispose of.
5. Avoid storing insulin in direct sunlight.

Extreme (hot or cold) temperatures can damage insulin, so it does not work properly. It should not be left where the temperature is above 30 ° C. In the summer, your car may heat up (above 30 ° C), so do not leave insulin there.

There are various insulated insulin carrying bags (e.g. FRIO) for transporting insulin.

Safe Tips

Insulin is a prescription drug. The patient should talk with their doctor about:

1. What type of insulin is right for him.
2. Feasible side effects.
3. How to safely and effectively administer the medicine.

People with type 2 diabetes or gestational disease should discuss with their doctor if insulin therapy is the best choice for them. They may use other treatment options to control their blood sugar, such as non-insulin medications, lifestyle changes, and diets.

It is very important that people taking these medicines regularly monitor their blood sugar. Taking too much or too little insulin can lead to side effects or complications. It is also important that the person follows the treatment schedule agreed with the doctor and avoids skipping injections.

Anyone experiencing the side effects of insulin therapy should talk with their doctor. Perhaps a different treatment plan or drug of a different type may be more suitable for their needs and lifestyle. Your doctor may also advise on how to prevent or reduce some side effects.