Canine Diabetes Wiki
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Actrapid
R,Neutral by Novo Nordisk
short-acting r-DNA/GE/GM
U40, U100 none
Line Novo
Also known as Novolin R, ReliOn/Novolin R
Similar to  


Names of Lilly r-DNA/GE/GM insulins worldwide

Action in dogs  
  • onset 10-30 minutes,
  • peak 1-5h,
  • duration 4-10h[1]
Use and Handling
Type soluble
Shelf Life 30 months
When opened 6 weeks room temp.
In pen 6 weeks room temp.
Notes  
  • protect from light and heat
  • Do Not Freeze
  • May be used intravenously
Actrapid

Actrapid in 10 ml vial and 3 ml pen cartridge.


Note that some countries have the brand name in U40 strength.

Novo Nordisk's brand of fast-acting insulin[2][3][4][5][6], known as Novolin R in North America[7].

Comparable insulins made by others are: Huminsulin Normal, Humulin R[8] and Humulin S[9][10][11] by Eli Lilly, and Insuman Rapid[12][13] and Winthrop Rapid, both by Aventis.

A short-acting, soluble, non-suspended insulin produced from r-DNA/GE/GM, bovine, or porcine sources. Like all R or neutral insulins, nothing is added (suspensions) to alter the insulin's action or speed[14] From 1921 to the 1930's when PZI was developed, R was the only kind of insulin available.

While both R/neutral and semilente insulins are considered fast-acting, they differ in a few ways. As above, there's no suspension or buffer[15] in R/neutral; it's totally dissolved and soluble, meaning it can safely be used intravenously.

The very small insulin particles in semilente insulin are suspended by zinc[16]. Semilente is cloudy, has an acetate buffer and cannot be used intravenously.

R/Neutral insulin cannot be reliably mixed with Lente or Ultralente insulins[17][18]. Semilente can; the ratio of 3 parts semilente insulin to 7 parts ultralente insulin produces Lente insulin[19].

R/Neutral Insulins

References

  1. Insulins. North American Veterinary Conference Clinicians Brief (2006).
  2. Patient Information Leaflet-Actrapid. Novo Nordisk.
  3. Scientific Discussion-Actrapid. EMEA.
  4. Prescribing Novo Insulins.
  5. Actrapid Information. Novo Nordisk.
  6. Actrapid. Medguides UK.
  7. Novolin R. Revolution Health.
  8. Humulin R Regular Human Insulin. Revolution Health.
  9. Patient Information Leaflet-Humulin S. Eli Lilly.
  10. Humulin S Prescribing Information.
  11. Lilly EU/UK Product Sheet & Time Activity Profiles. Eli Lilly.
  12. Patient Information Leaflet-InsumanRapid. Sanofi-Aventis.
  13. Prescribing Insuman Insulins.
  14. FDA-Humulin R
  15. DeRuiter, Jack. Insulin Preparations-Regular Insulin. Auburn University.
  16. DeRuiter, Jack. Insulin Preparations-Lente. Auburn University.
  17. Intermediate-Acting Insulin Preparations: NPH (Isophane) & Lente. Diabetes Care (1980).
    Note--in 1980, there was only beef Lente-type insulin--no pork or r-DNA/GE/GMLente insulins
  18. Resource Guide. American Diabetes Association (2005).
  19. DeRuiter, Jack. Insulin Preparations-Lente Insulin. Auburn University.


More Information

A discussion of regular/neutral/normal insulins.

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