Canine Diabetes Wiki
Insulatard
NPH/Isophane by Novo Nordisk
intermediate-acting
r-DNA/GE/GM
U40, U100 isophane
Action in dogs:
  • onset 0.5-3h,
  • peak 2-10h, [1]
  • duration 4-24h [2]
Line: Novolin
Also known as: Novolin N, Protaphan,
Protaphane,  ReliOn/Novolin NPH
Similar to: Humulin I, Huminsulin Basal, Humulin N, Humulin NPH, Humulina NPH, Humuline NPH, Humuline N, Umuline NPH, Humulin ReliOn N
Insuhuman Basal, Winthrop Basal
Insuman Basal, Isuhuman Basal

Names of Lilly r-DNA/GE/GM insulins worldwide
Use and Handling:
Shelf Life: 30 months Type: cloudy
When Opened: 6 weeks room temp.
In Pen: 6 weeks room temp.
Notes: Protect from light and heat
Do Not Freeze, Resuspend
Do not use if product does not re-suspend
Do not use intravenously [3]
Insulatard

Insulatard by Novo in 10 ml vial and 3 ml penfil cartridge.


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

Novo Nordisk's European name for its NPH/isophane insulin. [4][5]

This type of insulin tends to have an onset of 2-4 hours, a peak action of 4-10 hours, and a total duration of 10-20 hours, in humans.

It is a neutral suspension of isophane insulin crystals. [6]

Those in North America know it as Novolin N [7] while some elsewhere call it Protaphane. [8]

It is an intermediate-acting insulin with more than one company producing this type. Eli Lilly calls theirs Humulin N, [9] [10] Umuline NPH, Humulina NPH, Humuline NPH, Huminsulin Basal and Humulin I, [11][12][13] while Aventis has its Insuman Basal [14][15] and Winthrop Basal.

Specifications of NPH/isophane insulin[]

British National Formulary [16] defines this type as: A sterile suspension bovine or porcine or of human insulin in the form of a complex obtained by the addition of protamine sulphate or another suitable protamine.

British Pharmacoepia and United States Pharmacopia definitions: [16]

Isophane Insulin

Sterile buffered suspension of insulin in the form of a complex obtained by addition of suitable protamine. Prepared from crystalline insulin. pH 6.9 - 7.5 iso-osmotic with blood. Contains for each 100 units of insulin, 300 - 600 g protamine sulphate and not more than 40 g zinc, a suitable bactericide and sodium phosphate as buffering agent.

USP specification: Sterile suspension of zinc insulin crystalline and protamine sulphate in buffered water for injection. Solid phase contain crystals of insulin protamine and zinc; 40, 80, 100 units/ml. Contains glycerol, metacresol, phenol sodium phosphate and zinc.

NPH/isophane insulins[]

The following commercial insulins are all generically NPH insulins:


Other commonly used names are:

  • NPH insulin, NPH
  • isophane insulin

References[]

More Information[]

Related Pages
Humulin n 21938f NPHtap DSC02817 NVN34740 72167 5 Protaphan2
Humulin N
Humulin I
Humulin ReliOn N
Insuman Basal
Novolin N
Protaphane