## What is Intermediate-Acting Insulin?
Maintaining a healthy diet and participating in regular exercise are crucial for managing high blood sugar levels. In addition, intermediate-acting insulin, sometimes referred to as isophane insulin, plays a key role, particularly for those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, struggle to regulate their blood glucose levels due to the body’s inability to produce insulin. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle-related metabolic disorder that progresses over time, exacerbated by genetic and lifestyle factors.
Intermediate-acting insulin is routinely used alongside short-acting insulin. It generally starts working within an hour following injection and peaks around seven hours later.
How Does Intermediate-Acting Insulin Work?
Curious about how intermediate-acting insulin operates in your body? Here’s a comprehensive overview of its role in managing insulin and blood sugar levels:
- Serves as a substitute for baseline insulin, promoting hepatic glycogen synthesis (glucose production in the liver) and fatty acid metabolism for lipoprotein synthesis.
- Boosts the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscles’ capability to absorb glucose.
- Facilitates protein and glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscles.
- Supports triglyceride formation in fatty tissues and regulates lipolysis (the breakdown of fats and other lipids) for fatty acid release.
Side Effects of Intermediate-Acting Insulin
Common side effects include:
- Pain, redness, and irritation at the injection site
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Less common side effects may include:
- Weight gain
- Hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels)
- Muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Swelling in the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremors
- Paresthesia
- Lipodystrophy
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate
- Blurred vision
Brand Names of Intermediate-Acting Insulin
Known as Isophane or Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin, intermediate-acting insulin is available under several brand names:
- Humulin N
- Humulin N KwikPen
- Humulin N Pen
- Novolin N
- Novolin N Innolet
- Novolin N PenFill
- ReliOn/Novolin N
Note: Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about potential drug interactions and side effects, especially if you are on other medications. Never adjust the dosage, frequency, or type of your medication without your doctor’s advice.