6.1.1 Insulins

6.1.1. Insulins

Patients starting on insulin should receive an insulin passport.

6.1.1.1 Short-acting insulin

GREEN Human Actrapid®

GREEN Humulin S®

The insulin analogues have a faster onset and shorter duration of action than standard soluble insulin.

They should be injected immediately before or, when necessary, shortly after a meal.

GREEN Insulin aspart prescribe by brand Trurapi®, NovoRapid®, [Fiasp® green restricted - see additional below*]

GREEN Insulin lispro prescribe by brand Humalog®, [Lyumjev® green restricted - see additional info below**]

GREEN Apidra® (insulin glulisine) 1st line

GREEN restricted* Insulin Aspart (Fiasp®▼) is recommended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults who are

suitable for NovoRapid® and their diabetes cannot be adequately managed with alternative formulary choices

and at least one of the following

applies:

> Where the doctor believes a faster onset of action would be beneficial to the patient

> Where a patient requires 'tight' control of blood sugar levels

> Where a patient has rapid post meal increase in blood sugar levels

GREEN restricted** Lyumjev® [insulin Lispro - Suitable for initiation in primary care in line with restrictions]

** Insulin Lispro (Lyumjev®) is recommended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults who are suitable for

Humalog and their diabetes cannot be adequately managed with alternative formulary choices and at least one of the

following applies:

> Where the prescriber believes a faster onset of action would be beneficial to the patient

> Where a patient requires 'tight' control of blood sugar levels

> Where a patient has rapid post-meal increase in blood sugar levels

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6.1.1.2 Intermediate and long-acting insulin

Intermediate

GREEN Insulatard®

GREEN Humulin I®

Long acting insulin

Long-acting recombinant human insulin analogues should be used in accordance with NICE guidance.

Biosimilars of insulin glargine 100 units/mL (Lantus®) are recommended for use in patients with type 1and type 2 diabetes

mellitus. The prescribing of biosimilar preparations should be by brand name, followed by the concentration and

recommended daily dose in units and a statement of the formulation. Treatment should normally be started with the least

expensive drug. The initiation of biosimilar insulins should be in NEW patients or patients assessed to need a medication

change, with close monitoring of their blood glucose to ensure good control is achieved.

GREEN Abasaglar® (insulin glargine)

GREEN Lantus® (insulin glargine)

GREEN Levemir® (insulin detemir)

Toujeo is a High strength basal Insulin product it is Not bioequivalent to glargine or other insulins. Units are exclusive to

the potency of Toujeo®. Dose adjustment is needed if switching patients to or from Toujeo®

See Product information Sheet & Good Practice Guide

Insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Toujeo®) is recommended as an option in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) only in

accordance with the recommendations in NICE NG28 and in those who suffer from symptomatic nocturnal hypoglycaemia

whilst being treated with a first-line long-acting insulin analogue. it is also recommended as an option in adults with type 1

diabetes mellitus in accordance with NICE NG17 and in those patients who experience an unacceptable frequency and/or

severity of nocturnal hypoglycaemia on attempting to achieve better glycaemic control during treatment with first-line

long-acting insulin analogues; or as a once daily insulin therapy for patients who require assistance with administering

injections.

AMBER Toujeo® SoloStar® DoubleStar® (insulin glargine)

Insulin Degludec (Tresiba®▼)

Recommended as an alternative treatment option in patients over the age of 1 year experiencing poor glycaemic control or

recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes with existing long-acting basal insulin. to be initiated by diabetes specialist only.

AMBER Tresiba®▼ (insulin degludec)

Insulin degludec plus liraglutide (Xultophy®▼)

The combination product insulin degludec plus liraglutide (Xultophy®▼) is not recommended to treat type 2 diabetes

mellitus (T2DM) to improve glycaemic control in combination with oral glucose-lowering medicinal products when these

alone, or combined with basal insulin, do not adequately provide glycaemic control.

BLACK Xultophy®▼

Click here to access New Medicines Assessment for this product

Biphasic

GREEN Humulin M3®

GREEN Insuman Comb 25®

GREEN Humalog Mix25®, Humalog Mix50® (insulin lispro)

GREEN NovoMix 30®

Biphasic analogue insulins (e.g. Novomix, Humalog Mix) do not offer any advantage over conventional human biphasic

insulins in terms of efficacy, long term outcomes or safety but cost considerably more. The above brands of insulin are

recommended for new diabetics and are available in a variety of vial, species for established diabetics. The hospital

pharmacy will keep stocks of other brands and Insulin is usually available in 3mL cartridges, 10mL vials, and 3mL

disposable pens. Pens are available on prescription except disposable pens. Not all insulin cartridges fit all pens.

The National Patient Safety Agency issued an alert in June 2010 for the safer administration of insulin.

Click here to access the full documents online.

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All material in this section is aimed at health care professionals, but is information currently held in the public domain, members of the

public seeking advice on medicine-related matters are advised to speak with their GP, pharmacist, nurse or contact NHS111 Service.

Email: info.elmmb@nhs.net