Actrapid

Actrapid is an antidiabetic drug that is a short-acting insulin. The drug is manufactured using recombinant DNA biotechnology and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. It is a human insulin.

The drug interacts with the end of the outer cytoplasmic cell wall, forming an insulin-receptor compound. The drug activates intracellular activity, stimulating the processes of biosynthesis of cAMP elements, or passing inside the muscle cell.

Indications Actrapida

It is used for diabetes mellitus. Because the therapeutic effect develops quite quickly, the drug is used in emergency conditions, against the background of which glycemic control disorders are noted.

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Release form

The drug is produced in the form of an injection liquid, inside 10 ml vials. There is 1 such vial in a pack.

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Pharmacodynamics

The reduction of sugar levels occurs by potentiating its intracellular movement and tissue absorption, by activating protein binding and lipogenesis with glycogenogenesis, and in addition to this, by reducing the rate of hepatic glucose production, etc.

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Pharmacokinetics

The medication begins to act within half an hour of administration. The maximum effect is observed for 2.5 hours on average. In general, the medicinal effect lasts for 7-8 hours.

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Dosing and administration

The medication must be administered intravenously or subcutaneously. The dosage must be selected by a medical specialist, taking into account the patient's personal insulin requirement. Usually, the daily dose is 0.3-1 IU/kg. In case of insulin resistance, such requirement may increase, and with residual internal insulin production, it may decrease. It is necessary to closely monitor the blood sugar levels of those being treated.

If there are problems with the liver or kidneys, the insulin requirement decreases, so the dosage must be adjusted.

Actrapid can be combined with insulins that have a long-lasting effect.

The drug is administered 30 minutes before a meal or a light carbohydrate snack. The injection is usually administered subcutaneously into the anterior abdominal wall – this is necessary to speed up the absorption process. In addition, injections can be made into the deltoid, shoulder or gluteal muscle, as well as into the thigh. To prevent lipodystrophy, injection sites are constantly changed.

Intravenous injections may only be performed by a physician. Intramuscular injections are only given with a physician's prescription.

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Use Actrapida during pregnancy

Since insulin does not cross the placenta, it can be used during pregnancy to treat diabetes. During pregnancy, it is necessary to strengthen control over blood sugar levels and the therapy process in pregnant women with diabetes. Such control is also strengthened if there is a suspicion of conception, because in the absence of appropriate measures, hyper- or hypoglycemia may occur, which increases the likelihood of abnormalities in the development of the fetus or its death.

Insulin requirements are reduced in the first trimester and significantly increased in the second and third trimesters. After the birth of the child, these indicators return to their initial levels fairly quickly.

There are no restrictions on the use of Actrapid during lactation, because it does not lead to any risks for the baby. But it may be necessary to change the woman's diet or adjust the dose of the drug.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for use in hypoglycemia or insulinoma.

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Side effects Actrapida

Main side effects: allergic symptoms, including rashes and Quincke's edema. Lipodystrophy has been reported rarely. Resistance to Actrapid may also occur.

Overdose

In case of intoxication, there is an increase in appetite, hyperhidrosis, severe pallor and agitation, headaches, insomnia, tremor, palpitations and paresthesia affecting the mouth. If excessively large doses are used, the patient may fall into a comatose state.

In case of mild hypoglycemia, it is necessary to eat some sugar or some product containing a lot of sugar. If the poisoning is severe, an intramuscular injection of glucagon (1 mg) is performed. If necessary, additional use of concentrated glucose liquids is performed.

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Interactions with other drugs

The hypoglycemic effect of insulin is enhanced by the use of oral antidiabetic drugs, sulfonamides, ACE inhibitors, pyridoxine with tetracyclines, lithium agents, ketoconazole with bromocriptine, as well as non-selective β-blockers, clofibrate with cyclophosphamide, theophylline, MAOIs, anabolics with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, drugs containing ethyl alcohol, and fenfluramine with mebendazole. Alcoholic beverages potentiate and prolong the activity of Actrapid.

The hypoglycemic properties of the drug are weakened when combined with heparin, diazoxide, thyroid hormones, oral contraception, phenytoin, and also with sympathomimetics, GCS, tricyclics, clonidine, danazol, thiazide diuretics, nicotine, Ca channel blockers and morphine.

The effect of the drug may be reduced or potentiated by the administration of salicylates or reserpine.

Lanreotide with octreotide are able to potentiate or weaken insulin requirements.

The use of beta-blockers may mask the signs of hypoglycemia, interfering with its treatment.

Certain medications, for example those containing sulfites or thiols, can lead to insulin degradation.

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Storage conditions

Actrapid must be stored in a dark and dry place, out of the reach of children. Do not freeze the liquid. Temperature indicators are within 2-8 ° C. An opened bottle should be stored at room temperature.

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Shelf life

Actrapid can be used for a period of 30 months from the date of production of the therapeutic substance. The shelf life of an opened bottle is 1.5 months.

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Application for children

Biosynthetic human insulin products are safe and effective when used for diabetes in children and adolescents of any age.

The daily insulin requirement for a child is determined taking into account his weight and age, the stage of the pathology, dietary regimen, physical activity, as well as the dynamics of glycemic indicators and the level of insulin resistance.

Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Insular active, Humodar with Novorapid penfil, Epaydra, Novorapid flexpen and Humulin regular with Humalog.

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Reviews

Actrapid is considered an effective and reliable drug, thanks to which you can reliably control glycemia. Also, reviews note the high speed of development of therapeutic effect.

Among the negative aspects is the inconvenient dosage form – an injection liquid, which often needs to be administered under medical supervision.

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