The blood glucose lowering effect of insulin is due to the facilitated uptake of glucose following binding of insulin to receptors on muscle and fat cells and to the simultaneous inhibition of glucose output from the liver. Insulatard is a long-acting insulin. Onset of action is within 1½ hours, reaches a maximum effect within 4-12 hours and the entire time of duration is approximately 24 hours.

Insulin in the blood stream has a half-life of a few minutes. Consequently, the time-action profile of an insulin preparation is determined solely by its absorption characteristics. This process is influenced by several factors (e.g. insulin dosage, injection route and site, thickness of subcutaneous fat, type of diabetes). The pharmacokinetics of insulins is therefore affected by significant intra- and inter-individual variation

Treatment of all patients with type 1 diabetes. Treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes who are not adequately controlled by diet and/ or oral hypoglycemic agents. For the initial stabilization of diabetes in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar non-ketotic syndrome and during periods of stress such as severe infections and major surgery in diabetic patients. Treatment of gestational diabetes.

Dosage is individual and determined in accordance with the needs of the patient. The individual insulin requirement is usually between 0.3 and 1.0 IU/kg day. The daily insulin requirement may be higher in patients with insulin resistance (e.g. during puberty or due to obesity) and lower in patients with residual, endogenous insulin production.

The physician determines one or several daily injections are necessary. Insulatard may be used alone or mixed with fast-acting insulin. In intensive insulin therapy the suspension may be used as basal insulin (evening and/or morning injection) with fast-acting insulin given at meals. In patients with diabetes mellitus optimised glycaemic control delays the onset of late diabetic complications. Close blood glucose monitoring is recommended.

Administration

For subcutaneous use. Insulatard is usually administered subcutaneously in the thigh. If convenient, the abdominal wall, the gluteal region or the deltoid region may also be used. Subcutaneous injection into the thigh results in a slower and less variable absorption compared to the other injection sites. Injection into a lifted skin fold minimises the risk of unintended intramuscular injection.

Keep the needle under the skin for at least 6 seconds to make sure the entire dose is injected. Injection sites should be rotated within an anatomic region in order to avoid lipodystrophy. Insulin suspensions are never to be administered intravenously. Insulatard is accompanied by a package leaflet with detailed instruction for use to be followed. The vials are for use with insulin syringes with corresponding unit scale. When two types of insulin are mixed, draw the amount of fast-acting insulin first, followed by the amount of long-acting insulin

Hypoglycaemia, Hypersensitivity to human insulin or to any of the excipients

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect during insulin treatment and symptoms of hypoglycemia may occur suddenly. Few cases of the allergic reaction such as red and swollen or itching are reported. It usually disappears in a few days. In some instances, the allergy may be caused by other reasons rather than insulin, such as disinfectant and poor injection technique.

Overdose Effects

A specific overdose of insulin cannot be defined. However, hypoglycaemia may develop over sequential stages

Inadequate dosage or discontinuation of treatment, especially in type 1 diabetes, may lead to hyperglycaemia. Usually the first symptoms of hyperglycaemia set in gradually, over a period of hours or days. They include thirst, increased frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, flushed dry skin, dry mouth, loss of appetite as well as acetone odour of breath In type 1 diabetes, untreated hyperglycaemic events eventually lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which is potentially lethal. Hypoglycaemia may occur if the insulin dose is too high in relation to the insulin requirement

Omission of a meal or unplanned, strenuous physical exercise may lead to hypoglycaemia. Patients whose blood glucose control is greatly improved e.g. by intensified insulin therapy, may experience a change in their usual warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia and should be advised accordingly Usual warning symptoms may disappear in patients with longstanding diabetes.

Pregnancy & Lactation

There are no restrictions on treatment of diabetes with insulin during pregnancy, as insulin does not pass the placental barrier.