Humuline Regular Cartridge (Insulin Human (Rdna))

Humuline Regular Cartridge is indicated for the treatment of hyperglycemia associated with diabetes and for use in specific clinical situations where rapid‑acting insulin is required.

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus to replace deficient endogenous insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus when oral agents are insufficient to achieve glycemic targets.
• Management of hyperglycemic emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis, in conjunction with fluid and electrolyte therapy.
• Use in insulin‑pump therapy or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) systems where a rapid‑acting insulin is needed.
• Occasionally prescribed for gestational diabetes when rapid glucose control is required, under specialist supervision.

• Humuline Regular delivers recombinant human insulin that binds to insulin receptors on muscle, adipose and hepatic cells. Receptor activation triggers autophosphorylation and downstream signaling through the PI3‑K/Akt pathway, promoting translocation of GLUT‑4 transporters to the cell surface and increasing glucose uptake. In the liver, insulin suppresses gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, thereby reducing endogenous glucose production and lowering plasma glucose concentrations effectively.

Adverse reactions to Humuline Regular may vary in frequency and severity.

Common

• Mild hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Injection site redness, swelling or itching.
• Lipodystrophy (localized fat tissue changes).
• Weight gain.
• Nausea.

Serious

• Severe hypoglycemia with loss of consciousness.
• Allergic reactions such as urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis.
• Edema or exacerbation of heart failure.
• Hypokalemia (low potassium).

When prescribing or using Humuline Regular, clinicians and patients should observe several precautionary measures to minimize risks.

• Monitor blood glucose closely, especially when initiating therapy or adjusting dose.
• Adjust doses in renal or hepatic impairment, as insulin clearance may be reduced.
• Use caution in patients with a history of severe hypoglycemia or unawareness.
• Evaluate for possible allergic reactions before first administration.
• Consider cardiovascular status; rapid‑acting insulin can precipitate fluid retention.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use only under specialist guidance due to limited safety data.

Humuline Regular can interact with other medicines, affecting glucose control or increasing the risk of adverse events.

Avoid

• Concurrent use of other rapid‑acting insulins or high‑dose insulin analogues without dose adjustment.
• Beta‑blockers that may mask hypoglycemia symptoms.
• MAO‑A inhibitors that can potentiate insulin’s glucose‑lowering effect.

Use with caution

• Oral antidiabetic agents (e.g., sulfonylureas, meglitinides) that increase hypoglycemia risk.
• Corticosteroids, which may raise blood glucose and require higher insulin doses.
• Thiazide diuretics, which can affect potassium levels and insulin sensitivity.
• Alcohol, as it can cause unpredictable glucose fluctuations.