What is Intermediate-Acting Insulin?
Along with maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise, intermediate-acting insulin, also known as isophane insulin, is used to help manage high blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
People with type 1 diabetes, also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes, cannot regulate their blood sugar levels due to their body’s inability to produce insulin. Conversely, type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that gradually deteriorates due to lifestyle choices and genetic predispositions.
Intermediate-acting insulin is often administered in conjunction with short-acting insulin. It typically begins to work within the first hour of injection and reaches its peak effectiveness around seven hours.
How Does Intermediate-Acting Insulin Work?
Wondering how intermediate-acting insulin functions in your body? Here’s a detailed look at how it helps manage insulin and blood sugar levels:
- Acts as a substitute for baseline insulin and promotes hepatic glycogen synthesis (glucose production in the liver) and fatty acid metabolism for lipoprotein synthesis.
- Enhances the ability of the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscles to absorb glucose.
- Encourages protein and glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscles.
- Aids in the creation of triglycerides in fatty tissues and regulates lipolysis (the breakdown of fats and other lipids) to release fatty acids.
Side Effects of Intermediate-Acting Insulin
Common side effects include:
- Pain, redness, and irritation at the injection site
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
Less common side effects may include:
- Weight gain
- Hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels)
- Muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Swelling in the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremors
- Paresthesia
- Lipodystrophy
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- Blurry vision
Brand Names of Intermediate-Acting Insulin
Intermediate-acting insulin, which may also be known as Isophane or Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, is available under several brand names:
- Humulin N
- Humulin N KwikPen
- Humulin N Pen
- Novolin N
- Novolin N Innolet
- Novolin N PenFill
- ReliOn/Novolin N
Note: Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about potential drug interactions and side effects if you are taking other medications. Never alter the dosage, frequency, or type of your medication without your doctor’s guidance.