Most preffered insulin.

[whimper]

I know everyone is different and that different types of insulin work differently with everyone. Which insulin works best for you? I have been on Novo Rapid and Novolin NPH for a year now...i do not think that it is really compatible with me. (My BG is not as consistant as it should be and i get frequent migrains). I have an appointment to see my Endo on the 22nd, I want to change my current insulin and try the other ones out on the market. Does anyone have any advice?

[xMenace]

I just take Humalog.

[KCP]

No advice on insulins but iam having the same problem at the moment and Im on Penmix30 which is awful but good for a lazy diabetic, which I have been for YEARS!!!IM hoping to change to at least Lantus and novorapid..

[Cyborg]

With regards to fast acting insulins, I prefer Novolog over Humalog. I just got a sample of Apidra last week and will be trying it out shortly. The faster an insulin works, the more I like it...

[grace girl]

I haven't used that many, but from my own personal experience mixed insulins totally suck. I'm currently using lantus and humalog, and I'm quite satisfied.

[liz32]

I like levemir over lantus and had only used novorapid but I'm happy with it.
Liz

[SunniD]

I am allergic to Humalog insulin as it changed my personality totally so I prefer Novorapid and prefer to pump that.

Of the long acting insulins, of which I haven't tried but have read about, I would prefer Detemir/Letemir. I beleive it isn't as acidic as Lantus and is easier on the injection sites.

I have read about the insulin wars in which Humalog hit the market first before Novorapid and another war was with Lantus hitting the market before Detemir/Letemir. Just because one hits the market first does not mean it is the better insulin. I found the insulin wars quite an interesting story on what is happening. It appears to be whichever company can get the CDE's to back their product with the clients and can hit the marketplace first gets the
majority of the clients such as what happened with Humalog and Lantus.
I don't believe either is the better insulin, imho, but I may be wrong.
I personally think that Novorapid and Detemir/Letemir are superior in their
quality however there is no proof one way or another.

In the end, it's best to confer with your healthcare team and they will help one decide what is best for them.

SunniD

[Nada]

I take Novorapid. I haven't taken any other ones. At this point it works fine. What would compel someone to change anyway?

[notme]

Pumping Humalog and am very happy with it.

[kel4han]

LEVEMIR (basal) for me last 24 hours. Novolog for bolus is the only thing I have used. But the Levemir has been great.

[belyro]

Levemir (basal) and Humalog. Very good combination for me. The best I've found to date.

[Funnygrl]

I use just novolog. The only other fast acting insulin I have used was R, and obviously novolog is preferable to that.

In terms of long acting insulins, I have used Levemir and Lantus. I am allergic to Lantus (yes, actual allergic, hives, itching, swelling, etc, not "intolerant" which is the accurate term for undesirable out of the norm side effects that are not related to histamine), So, Levemir is preferred for me there, though it seems to have an undesirable action profile, with an action time of like 15 hours, and what seems like a pretty noticeable peak at 11 hours, so, yeah, I like pumping.

[NoelD]

R is too slow for me. Novolog doesn't work at all for me. Apidra has been great. Very fast acting and very predictable.

Was on Apidra/Lantus, dropped Lantus when I started pumping. Sugars are now more stable without the Lantus, using the apidra for basal rates and boluses.

[JediSkipdogg]

Was on NPH and R. Then went to Humalog in a pump then to Novolog when my insurance covered that.

I have heard quite a few though that have had bad luck with Humalog and Novolog and Apidra has worked 10x better.

[KCP]

NADA - the thing that compels me to change is that fact that altough the regime im on works well in its own right at the moment, i find that it doesnt allow for finetuning of my sugars.
The way it works for me also means i need to eat every three hours, and i think my metabolism i slowing down, cos I have put on HEAPS of weight in the last 16 months and Im still eating the same. eg. low fat, low sugar. Cant go low carb cos of the insulin...

[Funnygrl]

NADA - the thing that compels me to change is that fact that altough the regime im on works well in its own right at the moment, i find that it doesnt allow for finetuning of my sugars.
The way it works for me also means i need to eat every three hours, and i think my metabolism i slowing down, cos I have put on HEAPS of weight in the last 16 months and Im still eating the same. eg. low fat, low sugar. Cant go low carb cos of the insulin...
Premixed's don't really allow for ANY tuning, do they?

[KCP]

Nope. None what so-ever!!! Hence the switch.. :biggrin:

[poodlebone]

I hate NPH. I was on NPH/Regular for years after my diagnosis, then Humalog + NPH. Finally went to see an endo 2 years ago and was put on Lantus (and Humalog) which was much better but still not perfect. Then I switched to a pump so I now only use Humalog. I have never tried Novolog (is that the same as Novorapid?) but when I was on NPH/Regular I would use both Lilly and Novo brands, whatever the pharmacy had in stock or was cheaper. They both worked about the same but the Novo sometimes seemed to be more powerful for some reason.

[jen_slc]

I have not tried any of the other "Lantus-like" insulins currently on the market, but Lantus works ok for me. As for rapid-acting insulins, I have tried Humalog, Novolog and Apidra and I like Apidra the best. Humalog worked too slow for me, Novolog was a little bit faster, but Apidra is the fastest in my body and prevents my post-meal spikes that I experienced with Humalog and Novolog.

[JasonJayhawk]

I can say that I hate any and all mixed insulins. :tomato:

When comparing Lantus with Levemir, I prefer Levemir because it doesn't burn during the injection. The disadvantage to me is that the Levemir has not been forgiving if I don't take my two shots at exactly the same time in the day; in other words, I think Levemir does not have as long a duration as Lantus, but I like how it doesn't burn like the acid that makes up Lantus!

(Note: I like Lantus, too. I'm thankful for both of them compared to what NPH brings to the table... egads!)

[BlueSky]

Lantus works well for me as a basal insulin. I don't have a problem with stinging, probably because I don't use that much - 12 units split into 2 equal shots. I prefer Novorapid because Novo makes nicer pens - I use the one with a memory. I use Actrapid low-carb meals - normally breakfast. These three insulins can easily be combined to cover almost any eventuality. :smile:

[condensr]

With regards to fast acting insulins, I prefer Novolog over Humalog. I just got a sample of Apidra last week and will be trying it out shortly. The faster an insulin works, the more I like it...

Can't wait to see how this works for you.. you gave a great report on the Dexcom!

[Stuboy]

I take novorapid and lantus now, It's working really well for me. Used to be on mixtard, and although i got an A1c of 7.2 from it, it was POO. i wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants a life.

With basal and bolus, you're in control of you.
With mixtard, your diabetes is in control of you.

[JediSkipdogg]

With basal and bolus, you're in control of you.
With mixtard, your diabetes is in control of you.

That's what I always say as well. Control the diabetes, don't let it control you. And many times NPH, although a basal/bolus regime, is still the diabetes controlling you.

That is why so many stories of insulin causing weight gain have come up. On a correct regime and assuming one's thyroid is perfect (about 40 million people have bad thyroids, with at least 50% undiagnosed) then insulin will not cause weight gain on it's own. It's the actions surrounding it that do.

[cebaby]

Novolg - it works much better for me than Humalog. I mistakenly went back to Humalog and within a day my BG levels were much higher....so I immediately went back to NL.

[Dewey]

For fast acting, I say it'd be a toss-up between Humalog & Novolog. I like both, and have used both.

I wish they would Not quit making Ultralente though. It seemed to do well as a long acting, and had no real peak (just steadily worked) for the duration. Shame that it's going away. :(

[Tattoo azz]

Insulatard at night,Humulin S during day for me.Don't forget the "HumaPen" is being discontinued in UK in sept this year

[am1977]

I'm using Novolog right now, but I really can't tell a difference between it and Humalog... seems pretty identical to me.

[whimper]

I am not too familiar with the different types of Insulin out on the market.
Is the Novo Nordisk brand a good brand to be using?

[JasonJayhawk]

I am not too familiar with the different types of Insulin out on the market.
Is the Novo Nordisk brand a good brand to be using?


Novo Nordisk is the "market segment leader" in selling insulin worldwide. I think they overtook Lilly's insulin sales two years ago. (Translation: they have more salespeople and more ways of getting doctors to convert their patients).

Brand doesn't matter as much as using what works for you. If you aren't happy with your current results, changing to something else will give you a chance to experiment with a new product.

I always find it entertaining when someone says, "I switched to brand X insulin for three days and it didn't keep my glucose levels down, so I switched back." Different brands of insulin have different strengths. If you have to take 10 units of brand X and switch to brand Y and end up needing to take 16 units to get the same result, people think brand "Y" sucks... but other people might say brand "Y" gives them more control because of the drug profile, or the ability to better fine-tune their dose.

It's up to you to decide what is "better." If you don't know and you want to find out, see about getting samples to try. Remember, it takes at least a week to decide. Converting between X units to Y units is not a 1-to-1 relationship!

[Funnygrl]

Novo Nordisk is the "market segment leader" in selling insulin worldwide. I think they overtook Lilly's insulin sales two years ago. (Translation: they have more salespeople and more ways of getting doctors to convert their patients).


Could also help that Novo has a long acting insulin on the market while Lilly's closest thing is NPH and premixes.

[Dewey]

Could also help that Novo has a long acting insulin on the market while Lilly's closest thing is NPH and premixes.

Yes. I think Lilly made a huge mistake when they decided to quit making Ultralente (& for that matter, Lente). Ultralente had no peak (it worked steadily) and lasted a little over 24 hours or so.....they discontinued it, and kept NPH. :frown:

[JasonJayhawk]

Could also help that Novo has a long acting insulin on the market while Lilly's closest thing is NPH and premixes.

:questionm I don't understand how that would help, considering that Novo Nordisk's long-acting insulin (Levemir) came to market around February 2006, a little over a year and a half after they gained the biggest market "segment" share, and Levemir still hasn't been approved in other countries yet.

I think they gained their share through more intense marketing campaigns and the FDA approval for use in pumps (Humalog wasn't "officially" approved for pumps, officially, until just about a year ago).

[BriOnH]

I think Lantus is one of the best insulins ever. If I exercise really hard I can eat and go with out novolog for meals/snacks. It truely has given me freedom and hypos are of no concern to me with it, because if I do go hypo from it, it is so slight it is super easy to correct.

My friends from camp call Lantus the "poor mans pump". I call it the "I dont want to be teathered insulin" :) .

[Cyborg]

Can't wait to see how this works for you.. you gave a great report on the Dexcom!

Thanks... It was an experience!

I'll be trying the Apidra probably this weekend.

[talibrown24]

im am currently on novolog and lantus and both have worked great for me.

[Funnygrl]

:questionm I don't understand how that would help, considering that Novo Nordisk's long-acting insulin (Levemir) came to market around February 2006, a little over a year and a half after they gained the biggest market "segment" share, and Levemir still hasn't been approved in other countries yet.

I think they gained their share through more intense marketing campaigns and the FDA approval for use in pumps (Humalog wasn't "officially" approved for pumps, officially, until just about a year ago).
You said worldwide. Levemir has been around longer in many countries.

A lot of people prefer novopens too to what Lilly has to offer (though I am sure that will change with the release of the memoir). And I certainly agree with you on the pump approval thing.

[jeggeman31]

With regards to fast acting insulins, I prefer Novolog over Humalog. I just got a sample of Apidra last week and will be trying it out shortly. The faster an insulin works, the more I like it...


Let us know how it goes Cyborg. For me Apidra is the fastest followed by Novolog, then Humalog.

[w5wjp]

Since I just started on my pump, the endo told to wait a month and then he would give me samples of Novolog and Apidra to try in the pump (currently using Humalog). Only reason to try others is to find the one that works the best and, since I have high resistance, the one that works with the lowest dose. It will be interesting to compare them.

[whimper]

Novo Nordisk is the "market segment leader" in selling insulin worldwide. I think they overtook Lilly's insulin sales two years ago. (Translation: they have more salespeople and more ways of getting doctors to convert their patients).

Brand doesn't matter as much as using what works for you. If you aren't happy with your current results, changing to something else will give you a chance to experiment with a new product.

I always find it entertaining when someone says, "I switched to brand X insulin for three days and it didn't keep my glucose levels down, so I switched back." Different brands of insulin have different strengths. If you have to take 10 units of brand X and switch to brand Y and end up needing to take 16 units to get the same result, people think brand "Y" sucks... but other people might say brand "Y" gives them more control because of the drug profile, or the ability to better fine-tune their dose.

It's up to you to decide what is "better." If you don't know and you want to find out, see about getting samples to try. Remember, it takes at least a week to decide. Converting between X units to Y units is not a 1-to-1 relationship!


I really like your reply, thank you.
Since diagnoses I have first started with animal insulin and moved up to using Lente (green) and this yellow one ( i forgot) and from that i used humalog and now Novo Rapid and Novolin NPH. Embaressing to say, I dont know much about the different types of insulins out there...All i know is that the ones i use now are giving me major headaches almost everyday. Not good at all!! :(
I never knew that i can get samples. Thats a great idea! I have my Endo appointment on Monday i will ask about it.

[JasonJayhawk]

Whimper,

I'm not sure what kind of samples are available in your country.

This might not apply to you, but if you've just recently been diagnosed, consider that your headaches might be a side effect from getting your glucose under control again. I had major head-splitting headaches the first two weeks that I was on insulin. I could have easily blamed the insulin, but I knew it was from adjusting from a constant glucose of ~400+ mg/dl down to a "more-normal" glucose level. If you're finally reaching normal levels, consider it more as a "detoxification" from all those glucose highs!

[Klososky]

ummmmm.... i have used novolog the whole time i have been diagnosed, except for about a month and a half when my insurance "no longer covered novo pens" then i switched to the pump, they cover vials of course.
i noticed that novolog was more stable in the heat, ect. humolog did'nt leave my site red and itchie like novo SOMETIMES does. i still prefere novo, and use it today.

[whimper]

Whimper,

I'm not sure what kind of samples are available in your country.

This might not apply to you, but if you've just recently been diagnosed, consider that your headaches might be a side effect from getting your glucose under control again. I had major head-splitting headaches the first two weeks that I was on insulin. I could have easily blamed the insulin, but I knew it was from adjusting from a constant glucose of ~400+ mg/dl down to a "more-normal" glucose level. If you're finally reaching normal levels, consider it more as a "detoxification" from all those glucose highs!

Thank you so much for your reply!
I actually got samples from the endo a couple of days ago. I still have not used it but am excited to try it and see what happens :) Yay!
Whenever i get headaches i always check my BG to see where i am at and usually i am at a good range (5.5-6.5). My endo thinks that it is the insulin as well.

[Funnygrl]

ummmmm.... i have used novolog the whole time i have been diagnosed, except for about a month and a half when my insurance "no longer covered novo pens" then i switched to the pump, they cover vials of course.
i noticed that novolog was more stable in the heat, ect. humolog did'nt leave my site red and itchie like novo SOMETIMES does. i still prefere novo, and use it today.
So you never have used long acting insulin?

[KMP]

I am using Lantus and Humalog...just started on Dec 29th
So far I like it better than Regular & NPH that I was using before. I like the freedom to eat - when I want to - instead of when my insulin tells me to.
The only drawback is all of the needles I am going through now!!! I end up taking 5 shots a day. When I was on Reg & NPH I took 2
But... my A1C is back where they were 3 years ago (5.6) when the roller coaster started (7.1). And I am pretty sure I can get it even better than 5.6
It is a good mix for me.

[Starlight]

I'm on Humalog and Protophane which is manufactured under the Novo Nordisk brand..

Personally, I'm not too happy with it. Generally my A1's have been sitting in the 6's but still, I've come to realise my diabetes is controlling me, not the other way around. I feel that the humalog has been taking too long to kick in lately and I've been needing ridiculous amounts of protophane..So..I think its time for a change..definitely..

[KritterMom]

I am on Humalog and Levemir. I really like the Humalog, and I like Levemir better than Lantus, because I don't go low on the Levemir, like I did on the Lantus. I have tried Apidra, and to be honest, can't tell the difference between Apidra and Humalog. I switched back to Humalog because of insurance reasons. I guess thats all I have ever used.

[Glargophile]

Hello there everybody!

I am new here, so maybe I'll tell something about myself.
I have been diabetic since childhood. I have personal experience of multiple different insulins, including the original Novo Monotard. As I had been on Lente before, the experience with Monotard was disastrous.
Lente was perhaps one of the most succesful slow insulins made before the '80s, :) It had only one small problem - it was a bovine insulin. So, quite a few patients experienced serious problems as they tried to change from Lente to Monotard. Some of them even suffered serious ketoacidosis. :(
After a long streak of less than satisfactory combinations of insulins I finally started to use glargine (Lantus) and aspart (NovoRapid) insulins. Before that I had for a time used glargine insulin together with a traditional, short-acting "human" insulin (they're all nearly the same, you know). In my case this combination just simply did not work properly. In fact, if my blood sugar level went too low, my behavior changed in such a degree that I became dangerously violent :mad:
In my opinion it does not make too much sense to compare different types insulin per se. What is good for one diabetic, may turn out to be a disaster for somebody else.

[right2fight]

I just have to say that I am delighted with all this info on different insulins and particularly overwhelmed with the idea that all seem to agree that what may work well for one, may not work well for others. My son is currently on NPH/ novolog regimen. At dx NPH/R and somewhere in between we tried lantus without much success, this I attribute to the Dr. not dosing correctly and causing ketones and not allowing my child to eat for @ 21 hours. While I have experienced much contention re: NPH on another parents forum, this thread is a breath of fresh air, intelligent. Thank You so much!
Margaret