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The team does not and cannot offer clinical advice. If you have any urgent medical enquiries we urge you to contact your GP, or NHS Direct at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or by calling 0845 4647. In an emergency call 999

The right insulin

Information

There are over 20 different insulins available on the market today. Insulins have a proprietary name e.g. Apidra® and an approved name e.g. Insulin glulisine. Insulins are known by their proprietary name.

Sometimes the name is in two parts e.g. Novomix® 30. This is a mixture of 30% fast-acting and 70% longer-acting insulin. The ‘30’ is a vital part of the name and is not the dose.

Sometimes it is more complicated e.g. Humalog® Mix25. All of the name is important. Be very careful – there is a Humalog® Mix50 insulin. Another example is Insuman® Comb15 – don’t confuse this with Insuman® Comb 50.

Most insulins are human insulins (made in the lab) or modified human insulins (‘analogue insulins’). Some people still prefer animal insulins e.g. Hypurin® Porcine Neutral insulin.

Guidance

Check the name of the insulin with the patient.
Check the name in the British National Formulary (BNF) or the Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS).

The BNF is the official source of information about prescribing insulins.

For a list of all the currently used insulins, ways of giving them and approximate duration of action go to MIMS online (Monthly Index of Medical Specialties).