Insulin "Actrapid": description of the preparation and composition

One of the most famous hypoglycemic drugs of short action is insulin "Actrapid". It is available as an injection solution and is used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as for emergency care for hyperglycemia. Especially often it is used for insulin-dependent diabetes. Such patients need lifelong injections of insulin. To more effectively control the level of sugar in the blood, combine different types of this drug. And one of the drugs of choice is precisely "Actrapid" - a short insulin.

Characteristics of the preparation

Insulin "Actrapid NM Penfill" is a solution for injections. The drug consists of a human pancreatic hormone obtained by gene modification. In 1 ml of the solution contains 3.5 mg of insulin. In addition to it, glycerol, zinc chloride and special substances that create the desired level of acid-base balance are dissolved in water for injection. The drug is produced in special cartridges for a 3 ml syringe pen. This is an average single dose, but in some cases it is required to increase it.

In addition to this form of release there is insulin "Actrapid NM" in bottles of 10 ml. It also contains human soluble hormone obtained using genetic engineering techniques. There is also an analogue of the drug - "Aktrapil MS". It is used less often, since it is a neutral pig insulin.

The effect of this drug

Insulin penetrates into cells and affects metabolic processes, improving the transport of glucose. Due to this, the absorbability of its tissues increases. Lipid metabolism is also stimulated and synthesis of glycogen in liver cells is increased. Insulin "Actrapid" refers to short-acting drugs. Its hypoglycemic effect may be different depending on the method and place of administration of the solution, dosage and characteristics of the patient's lifestyle. But most often the action of the drug begins after 30 minutes and lasts up to 8 hours. The maximum effect is 2-3 hours after the administration of the solution. The highest rate of absorption is "Actrapid NM", especially if it is entered correctly. It is best to do the injection in the crease of the skin on the abdomen, so the drug will begin to act more quickly.

Indications for use

Most often, insulin "Actrapid" is used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. People who must regularly, several times a day, administer this hormone, can combine the drug with others. Such short-acting insulin is administered before meals, but this is not the only treatment. It is necessary to apply 1-2 times a day long-acting insulin, which will adjust the sugar level throughout the day, regardless of meals.

Sometimes this drug is used to treat type 2 diabetes, but only as directed by a doctor. This is done if the patient's body does not perceive a hypoglycemic therapy in tablets. In addition, for some categories of patients, this method of introducing insulin is safer, for example, in pregnancy and breast-feeding.

"Actrapid" begins to act almost immediately, so use it in emergency conditions, when you need to quickly lower the sugar level. This is necessary, for example, with ketoacidosis or before surgery.

Contraindications and side effects

Some patients have an individual intolerance to human insulin. Sometimes, there may also be an allergic reaction to other components of the drug. In these cases, another insulin is prescribed. Contraindicated use of the drug also with hypoglycemia. Therefore, before the introduction, it is necessary to check the blood sugar level. You can not use "Actrapid" for cancer of the pancreas - insuloma. It is not contraindicated in the use of this drug for children, as well as for pregnant women.

With the use of insulin "Actrapid" may occur such side effects:

• When too much dose is administered, hypoglycemia develops;
• Sometimes there are allergic reactions - a rash, hives, anaphylactic shock;
• Sweating, tachycardia, headaches and nausea;
• Weakness, depression of pressure and loss of consciousness;
• There were cases of development of peripheral neuropathy;
• At the beginning of treatment with this drug, a refractive error or the development of retinopathy is possible;
• Sometimes, local reactions occur at the injection site (redness and bruising); If the injection is done constantly in the same place, lipodystrophy develops.

Introduction of insulin "Actrapid"

The method of application of this drug is subcutaneous injections, in some cases - intravenous. This requires special insulin syringes. They have a calibration, which allows you to measure the right amount of the drug. Often used a special syringe pen for insulin "Actrapid NM". In this way, the injection is more convenient. The injection should be done in the abdomen or shoulder area, only in the subcutaneous fold, avoiding intramuscular injection. Sometimes the injection is injected into the thigh or buttock, but in this case the drug is absorbed worse.

How correctly to introduce insulin "Actrapid"? The instruction describes this process as follows:

• You need to type the right amount of solution into a syringe from the vial or insert the cartridge into a special syringe-pen;
• With your left hand, fold the skin on the abdomen, thigh or shoulder with two fingers;
• Insert the needle into the base of the fold at an angle of 45 degrees;
• Slowly inject the solution under the skin;
• Leave the needle for 5-6 seconds;
• Gently pull it out, if the blood has appeared, you need to squeeze the injection site a little.

Insulin "Actrapid": instructions for use

Only the attending physician can set the desired dosage and frequency of the drug. It depends on the speed of the carbohydrate metabolism of the patient, his lifestyle, the characteristics of nutrition and the need for insulin. On average, no more than 3 ml per day is required, but this figure may be greater in people with excess weight, with pregnancy or with tissue immunity. If the pancreas produces at least a small amount of insulin, it should be administered in smaller doses. The need for insulin also decreases with liver and kidney diseases.

Injections of "Actrapid" are done 2-3 times a day. If necessary, you can increase the frequency of application up to 5-6 times. Half an hour after the injection you need to eat or at least eat a meal containing carbohydrates.

It is possible to mix this remedy with long-acting drugs. For example, a combination of: insulin "Actrapid" - "Protafan" is often used. But only a doctor can choose an individual mode of glycemic control. If necessary, enter two insulin simultaneously, they are typed in one syringe: first - "Actrapid", and then - long-acting insulin.

Special instructions when using the drug

To control the level of sugar with the help of "Actrapid" was effective, several rules of using this insulin should be observed:

• It is necessary to constantly change the place of administration of the drug in order to avoid the development of lipodystrophy;
• Patients with impaired hepatic and renal function need to reduce the dose of drug administration;
• To achieve a more rapid effect, the injection should be done in the subcutaneous fold on the abdomen;
• Do not use the drug if it has lost transparency or if the package has been broken;
• After opening the vial the solution should be stored in the refrigerator without freezing, and it is necessary to use it for a month and a half;
• You can not use "Actrapid" for an insulin pump ;
• When switching to "Actrapid" from another drug, it is necessary that the doctor corrects the dose, at first it is important to regularly measure the sugar level, since the symptoms of hypoglycemia become less noticeable.

What to do in case of hypoglycemia

In some cases, most often with an overdose, the patient develops hypoglycemia. It can appear if, after injection, the patient has not eaten or exhibited too much physical activity. This condition occurs suddenly. The patient experiences such symptoms:

• tachycardia;
• nausea;
• General decay, drowsiness;
• Sweating;
• Nervousness, anxiety;
• headache;
• Strong appetite;
• Violation of coordination of movements.

The appearance of hypoglycemia is easy to notice. The first thing you need to do is eat something sweet. For this, diabetics always carry sweets, biscuits, sweet juice or a piece of sugar. If the patient's condition worsens, he has convulsions or fainting, it is necessary to inject glycogen. You need to see a doctor and adjust the dosage of "Actrapid" to prevent the development of hypoglycemia.

Hyperglycemia with the use of the drug

Sometimes it is possible and another condition, when the sugar in the blood rises high. This can be with increasing temperature, with infectious diseases, with a decrease in the dosage of the drug or an increase in the volume of carbohydrate food. Symptoms of hyperglycemia are not as pronounced, but the condition is also dangerous, as it can lead to the development of ketoacidosis and coma. The fact that sugar has increased, you can guess by the following signs:

• Strong thirst;
• Frequent urination;
• Nausea, loss of appetite;
• weakness;
• Dry skin and mucous membranes;
• Strong odor of acetone from the mouth.

If you have any of these symptoms, you need to immediately check the sugar level, you may need to make an additional injection of "Actrapid".

Interaction with other drugs

Insulin requires regular administration. Therefore, it often turns out that it is combined with other drugs. And it is necessary to know how insulin "Actrapid" interacts with different medications. For example, there are such drugs that weaken its hypoglycemic effect: beta-blockers, thiazide diuretics, MAO inhibitors, some hormones and nicotine. In combination with other drugs, on the contrary, the hypoglycemic effect of "Actrapid" increases. These are tetracyclines, sulfonamides, ketoconazole, Teofilin, lithium preparations and agents containing alcohol.

The patient himself will not be able to determine whether this insulin is compatible with other drugs, therefore, in any matters it is necessary to consult a doctor. With a properly prescribed dosage and observing all the features of the drug, a diabetic patient can lead a normal life.