| Insuhuman Comb 50 | |
| R/Neutral/NPH/Isophane Mix by Aventis | |
| intermediate-acting | r-DNA/GE/GM |
| U40, U100 | Isophane |
| Line | Insuman |
| Also known as | Insuman Comb 50, Winthrop Comb 50 |
| Similar to | |
| Action in dogs |
|
| Use and Handling | |
|---|---|
| Type | cloudy |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| When opened | 4 weeksroom temp. |
| In pen | 4 weeks room temp. |
| Notes |
|
Time activity profile for 50/50 insulins.
|
Note that some countries have the brand name in U40 strength. | ||
This is an Aventis mixed, intermediate-acting insulin[2] comprised of 50% R/neutral and 50% NPH/isophane crystal insulin[3], one of its Insuman line of products.[4][5]
Eli Lilly produced a comparable insulin for North America: Humulin 50/50[6]; they also formerly produced this insulin in the EU & UK under the brand name Humulin M5[7]. M5 was discontinued in July 2004[8]. Other Lilly insulin that are similar are Humulina 50/50 and Humuline 50/50.
Novo Nordisk produced two: Actraphane 50/50[9] and the now discontinued Mixtard 50[10].
Mixed insulins cover a wide range as they can be animal origin, r-DNA/GE/GM origin or analog insulins. They can also vary in the fraction (amount or percent) of the two types (R/neutral and NPH/isophane) of insulin used to make a non-analog mix, and in the percentage of fast/rapid-acting analog insulin and slower-acting protamine suspended analog insulin.
For some reason, those in the US choose to list the slower, NPH/isophane based insulin fraction first, such as Humulin or Novolin 70/30. The rest of the world gives the faster insulin top billing and the result is 30/70. Regardless of how this is written, it means that the insulin is made up of 70% NPH/isophane insulin and 30% R/neutral insulin.
The most common mixes are 70/30 (30/70) (non analog) or 75/25 (25/75) (analog). There are no currently-marketed mixes which combine insulins of different origins. Eli Lilly's form of beef/pork Iletin and Novo Nordisk's Lentard were discontinued some time ago. Here are the most common ones that could cause confusion:
| Non-Analog Mixed Insulins | ||
|---|---|---|
|
All Intermediate-acting | |
| Expressed As | Expressed As | Insulin Is |
|---|---|---|
| 10/90 | 90/10 | 10% R/Neutral Insulin 90% NPH/Isophane Insulin |
| 20/80 | 80/20 | 20% R/Neutral Insulin 80% NPH/Isophane Insulin |
| 30/70 | 70/30 | 30% R/Neutral Insulin 70% NPH/Isophane Insulin |
| 40/60 | 60/40 | 40% R/Neutral Insulin 60% NPH/Isophane Insulin |
| 50/50 | 50/50 | 50% R/Neutral Insulin 50% NPH/Isophane Insulin |
References
- ↑ Penmix 50. Medsafe NZ.
- ↑ Patient Information Leaflet-Insuman Comb 50. Sanofi-Aventis.
- ↑ Scientific Discussion-Mixtard. EMEA.
- ↑ Aventis Poster-Insuman & Lantus Insulins. Sanofi-Aventis.
- ↑ Scientific Discussion-Insuman. EMEA.
- ↑ Humulin 50/50-NPH;R Human Insulin. Remedyfind.com.
- ↑ Lilly EU/UK Product Sheet & Time Activity Profiles. Eli Lilly.
- ↑ Withdrawal of Humulin M5. Diabetes UK (2004).
- ↑ Scientific Discussion-Actraphane. EMEA.
- ↑ Insulins & Mixtures. NHS.