(a) Short-acting insulin is also known as regular insulin.
For each preparation, onset and duration of activity are indicated by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, for the same preparation, onset and duration vary from one patient to another.
In one same patient, duration of activity varies depending on the dose, site of injection, blood flow, body temperature and exercise.
The type of insulin used depends of several factors:type of diabetes, patient's age, patient's response (blood glucose levels).
Analogue insulins have a different chemical structure to human insulin that modifies their onset and duration of activity after SC injection.
Indications
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Diabetes during pregnancy
Transient therapy of type 2 diabetes during periods of severe infection, trauma, surgery
Dosage
Dosage must be individualised. Frequency of administration depends on the type of insulin and the patient's response.
Duration
Type 1 diabetes: life-timetreatment
Other indications: according to clinical response and laboratory tests
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
Do not administer in patients with allergy to insulin (rare).
Maycause :
hypoglycaemia due to overdosage or inadequate diet;
local reactions: pain, erythema at the injectionsite, lipodystrophy. Rotate injection sites systematically and use all available sites (abdomen, thigh,buttock or arm);
weight gain.
Monitor combination with:
drugs enhancing hypoglycaemic effect of insulin: acetylsalicylic acid, angiotensin-converting enzymeinhibitors, beta-blockers (which in addition,may mask symptomsof hypoglycaemia);