NPH insulin
Intermediate acting insulin formulation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, also known as isophane insulin, is an intermediate-acting insulin given to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.[3] It is used by injection under the skin once to twice a day.[1] Onset of effects is typically in 90 minutes and they last for 24 hours.[3] Versions are available that come premixed with a short-acting insulin, such as regular insulin.[2]
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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Novolin N, Humulin N, Insulatard, others |
Other names | Neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin,[1] protamine zinc insulin (slightly different),[2] isophane insulin,[2] compound insulin zinc suspension (slightly different),[2] intermediate-acting insulin |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682611 |
Routes of administration | Subcutaneous |
ATC code | |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Onset of action | 90 minutes[3] |
Duration of action | 24 hours[3] |
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The common side effect is low blood sugar.[3] Other side effects may include pain or skin changes at the sites of injection, low blood potassium, and allergic reactions.[3] Use during pregnancy is relatively safe for the fetus.[3] NPH insulin is made by mixing regular insulin and protamine in exact proportions with zinc and phenol such that a neutral-pH is maintained and crystals form.[1] There are human and pig insulin based versions.[1]
Protamine insulin was first created in 1936 and NPH insulin in 1946.[1] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[4] NPH is an abbreviation for "neutral protamine Hagedorn".[1] In 2020, insulin isophane was the 221st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[5][6] In 2020, the combination of human insulin with insulin isophane was the 246th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.[7][8]