Types of Insulin...

[Diabetic-Canada]

Hi Everyone!!! I asked a while back about switching from the premixed insulin to the...um...non-pre-mixed...I guess...anyways... thanks for all your replies back then.

I am going to see the doctor on Jan 12th and will be getting new types of insulin. Now I know he'll tell me what is best for me and all, but I really like to be informed so that I know what he is talking about. Bassically I know that I will be having two types of insulin, short acting, and long acting. But I wouldn't mind knowing the names of some of them that he is likely to put me on. I am located in Canada, and I think that there might be some insulins that either are only available in the USA, or they have a different name up here, but all input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
David

[David]

In Canada, the available Long acting (basal) insulins would be either Lantus (glargine) or Levemir (detemir)

Rapid acting insulins would be either Humalog (lispro) or NovoRapid (aspart)

Hope the switch goes smoothly.

David II

[Diabetic-Canada]

Thanks David!!! I am aware of the differences between the Lantus and the Levemir, but I am not sure about the short acting insulins.

What exactly is the difference between the Humalog and the NovoRapid?

[David]

Humalog and NovoRapid are more or less equivalent but many people find that one works better than the other.

NovoRapid generally has a slightly longer tail. Some say that it also acts a little more quickly but I've experienced the opposite result. Since you've never tried either one, I'd go with whichever my physician (or wallet) prefers first and if you see room for improvement, try the other and see if it works any better.

David

[Diabetic-Canada]

Great!! Thanks for your help. :cheers:

[DeusXM]

Novorapid (or Novolog as it's also known in some places) is pretty much identical to Humalog, but as has already been mentioned, it has perhaps a slightly more aggressive action profile.

However, as far as I'm concerned, the real difference is in the insulin pens. Novo Nordisk seem to be the only insulin manufacturer that has pens that are made of steel as opposed to being plasticy, easily breakable things. The Lilly pens are also huge as well - they're the same length as the Novopen but considerably wider. If you're using insulin pens then you may want to take these things into account when choosing your insulin type. Since I carry my pens everywhere with me, portability and pocket space are something of a must, and providing I can get that without trading off my control, then that's the deal-breaker for me.

[Diabetic-Canada]

good point about the pens DeusXM, I do use a pen and quite like the pen. I'll look into what kind of pens each come with.

Thanks

David

[blazingsirens06]

in addition to lantus and levemir insulin, what about novolin NPH? that's the long acting kind i use and have been taking since i was first diagnosed when i was 15...

[JediSkipdogg]

in addition to lantus and levemir insulin, what about novolin NPH? that's the long acting kind i use and have been taking since i was first diagnosed when i was 15...

NPH is really an outdated insulin. It use to be heavily prescribed but due to the peaking effect it has it is now only specially prescribed to those who need it. Lantus has no peak to it, so it's a safer insulin.

[rzrbks]

Try this thread, http://www.diabetesforums.com/diabetes/3519-accu-check-compact.html

imHo, the InDuo is the bestestest way to use NovoRapid/Novolog. I feel as if I get the best parts of pen and pump without being hooked to a device 24/7

BTW: it is available in Canada

[ghostrider]

does Levemir (detemir) also have no peak is it pretty much the same as lantus?

[rzrbks]

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/infocentre/inform/insulin_detemir.htm


Insulin detemir (Levemir®) Q&As


Q. What is insulin detemir?

A. Insulin detemir (trade name Levemir®) is a form of long acting insulin. It is different from most other long acting insulins, because it is more slowly absorbed and therefore the effects of the dose can last longer – up to 24 hours in duration.

It should be used in combination with short or rapid acting insulin, given at meal times, to achieve good glycaemic control

[DeusXM]

Levemir (insulin detemir) is practically identical to Lantus (insulin glargine) in its action profile - in fact I think it might even have a 'flatter' profile than Lantus.

The key difference is how they acheive this. Lantus regulates its absorbtion by being at a different pH to the body. Levemir does this by bonding with albumin in the blood.

Lantus has a higher risk of side-effects (something like 5%, compared to 2%) and causes slightly more weight gain than Levemir. However Levemir doesn't seem to actually work at all in some individuals.

Insulatard (NPH) is really the Alamo of basal insulins - it works, it's low on side-effects, but it's really the last stand because it's much harder to get good control with it. It also unfortunately happens to be my only option but that's by-the-by.

[Gangrel]

I use Humilin N as my long acting and it works well for me. Not sure whaty the fancy term for it is tho........

[Xonelith]

I personally use Novorapid and it works quite well in my pump.

This link seems to have some information regarding the 'action profiles' and also the IPens available to us in Canada.

http://www.novonordisk.com/diabetes/public/diabetestools/insulins/

There was a link somewhere that contained a graph with comparisons of many of the fast acting insulins available, but I can't find it. Here is something though:

http://www.endotext.org/diabetes/diabetes17/diabetes17.htm