Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (eg, stomach, thigh, or upper arm) or into a vein.

Always double-check both the concentration (strength) of your insulin and your dose. Concentration and dose are not the same. The dose is how many units of insulin you will use. The concentration tells how many units of insulin are in each milliliter (mL), such as 100 units/mL (U-100), but this does not mean you will use 100 units at a time.

Each package of insulin human regular contains a patient information sheet. Read this sheet carefully before beginning your treatment and each time you refill for any new information, and make sure you understand:

  • How to prepare the medicine.
  • How to inject the medicine.
  • How to dispose of syringes, needles, and injection devices.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not use the exact same spot for each injection.

Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, bruised, scaly, hard, damaged, thick, or has pits, lumps, or scars.

If you use Humulin® R Concentrated U-500 insulin, be very careful when you measure the dose. This form is more concentrated (has more medicine in the same amount of solution) than the U-100 form of insulin. You will need to use less of the solution for each dose. If you are using the vial form of this medicine, you should use the U-500 insulin syringe to get and inject your dose correctly. You should eat a meal within 30 minutes of injecting Humulin® R Concentrated U-500.

This medicine should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is discolored, cloudy or thick, or has particles in it.

Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For diabetes mellitus:
      • Adults—The dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Unopened medicine:

  • KwikPen®: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may also store at room temperature in a cool place, away from sunlight and heat, but must use within 28 days.
  • Humulin® R Concentrated U-500 vials: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may also store at room temperature in a cool place, away from sunlight and heat. Use within 40 days. Do not shake the vial.
  • Humulin® R vials: Store in the refrigerator in the original carton. Do not freeze. Do not use the insulin if it has been frozen.

Opened medicine that is currently being used:

  • KwikPen®: Store at room temperature in a cool place, away from sunlight and heat. Throw away any unused medicine after 28 days. Do not store in the refrigerator.
  • Humulin® R Concentrated U-500 vials: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may also store at room temperature in a cool place, away from sunlight and heat. Throw away any unused medicine after 40 days. Do not shake the vial.
  • Humulin® R vials: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you cannot keep your vial of insulin in the refrigerator, you may store it at room temperature for up to 31 days. Keep the vial as cool as possible and away from heat and light.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.