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Insuman
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Insuman is a hypoglycemic drug, belongs to the subgroup of insulins and their analogues with an average duration of medicinal effect.
The drug helps to compensate for the deficiency of internal insulin that occurs in the case of diabetes, and at the same time reduces blood sugar levels. The drug is a substance identical to human insulin, and in addition, it has an average duration of therapeutic effect.
Indications Insumana
It is used in case of diabetes mellitus, which is insulin-dependent. Due to the slow development of therapeutic effect and a fairly long-lasting effect, the drug is used in long-term therapy, especially in case of stable diabetes with low insulin requirements.
Release form
The drug is released in the form of an injection suspension, inside 5 or 10 ml bottles; there are 5 such bottles in a box. In addition, the substance is produced in the form of a suspension for the OptiPen device - inside 3 ml cartridges, 5 pieces inside a pack.
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Dosing and administration
The medication is administered subcutaneously, 45-60 minutes before eating. The injection sites should be changed regularly. The portion size is selected individually for each patient.
Adults who are using the drug for the first time should start with a dosage of 8-24 IU once a day.
Children and adults who are hypersensitive to insulin may need a dose of less than 8 U per day. People with reduced insulin requirements may need a dose of more than 24 U per day.
No more than 40 U of the substance may be administered at one time. Exceeding this dose is permitted only in extreme cases.
In case of replacing insulins of animal origin with Insuman, it may be necessary to reduce the insulin dose.
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Use Insumana during pregnancy
There is no clinical information regarding the use of human insulin substances during pregnancy. Insulin is not able to cross the placenta, but the drug is still prescribed very carefully during this period.
For patients who developed diabetes before conception or during pregnancy (gestational form of the pathology), it is extremely important to closely monitor carbohydrate metabolism indicators throughout the entire period of gestation. Insulin requirement may decrease in the 1st trimester and increase in the 2nd and 3rd. After delivery, insulin requirement decreases sharply, which increases the likelihood of hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is very important to closely monitor glucose levels.
Insuman does not affect infants who are breastfed by women using the drug. The use of the drug during lactation is allowed, but it may require adjustment of its dosage, as well as diet.
Side effects Insumana
Side effects include lipodystrophy, allergic symptoms such as itching, epidermal rashes and urticaria, and insulin resistance. Hyperglycemic symptoms may occur in severe renal impairment or when consuming alcohol.
Overdose
Insulin poisoning can result in severe and sometimes prolonged hypoglycemia, which can be life-threatening.
In mild stages of hypoglycemia, correction can be achieved by simply taking carbohydrates orally. In addition, it may be necessary to change the dosage of the medication and the diet or exercise regimen.
If hypoglycemia is severe, and neurological disorders and comatose state are observed against its background, subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of glucagon or the use of concentrated glucose liquid is required. Long-term administration of carbohydrates and monitoring of the patient must be carried out without fail, because hypoglycemia attacks may recur even after the patient's condition has improved.
Interactions with other drugs
The use of many medications can affect glucose metabolism, which may require a change in a person's insulin dosage.
Among the drugs that can potentiate the antidiabetic effect and increase the tendency to develop hypoglycemia are orally administered hypoglycemic drugs, fibrates, pentoxifylline with ACE inhibitors, propoxyphene, fluoxetine with disopyramide, salicylates, MAOIs and sulfonamides.
Substances that can weaken hypoglycemic activity include danazol, glucagon, STH, GCS, thyroid hormones, diazoxide, progestins with estrogens (for example, in oral contraceptives), diuretic drugs, sympathomimetics (for example, terbutaline and adrenaline with salbutamol), protease inhibitors, as well as isoniazid with phenothiazine derivatives and atypical antipsychotics (including clozapine with olanzapine).
Clonidine, alcoholic beverages, β-blockers and lithium salts can both weaken and potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of insulin.
The use of pentamidine may provoke hypoglycemia with subsequent development of hyperglycemia.
At the same time, under the influence of individual sympatholytics (guanethidine and clonidine with reserpine) and β-blockers, symptoms of adrenergic counterregulation may be weakened or disappear completely.
Storage conditions
Insuman must be stored in a dark place at a temperature of 2-8°C. Freezing the medicine is prohibited.
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Shelf life
Insuman can be used within a 24-month period from the date of manufacture of the therapeutic element.
The syringe pen used (or carried with you as a spare) can be stored for a maximum of 1 month at a temperature of no more than 25°C (while it should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources).
Application for children
The required experience in using the drug in pediatrics is lacking.
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Analogues
The analogs of the drug are the substances Actraphan NM, Semilente, Ultralente, Isophane insulin NM and Protofan with Iletin, and in addition to this, Homofan 100, Insulin-b, Humulin ultralente with Inuzofan, Homolong 40 and Lente with Ultratard NM, as well as Monotard.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Insuman" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.