Types of Novolin Insulin

Insulin is a vital hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for carrying the glucose received from food to the cells to be stored and used later as energy. When the pancreas is not able to produce insulin, such as in the disease Diabetes, insulin must be injected to control the level of sugar in the blood. Novolin insulin, a specific brand of insulin manufactured by the company Novo Nordisk, is available in several types.

1. Novolin R

   • Novolin R is referred to as "regular" insulin, meaning it is short-acting. This type of insulin is injected 30 minutes prior to mealtime as it begins to act lowering blood sugar between 30 and 60 minutes after injection. This insulin reaches its peak performance between two and three hours and is completely used up within five to seven hours.

   Novolin N

   • Novolin N is an intermediate-acting insulin. This means that it begins to work between two and four hours after injection. Novolin N reaches its peak performance between 4 and 12 hours after injection. The effects of Novolin N will last between 14 and 20 hours after injection.

   Novolin L

   • Novolin L is a lente insulin, meaning that it is human insulin in a zinc suspension. This insulin begins working two and a half hours after injection and reaches its peak between 7 and 15 hours after injection. Novolin L keeps working for up to 22 hours.

   Novolin 70/30

   • Novolin 70/30 is a combination consisting of 70 percent NPH (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus) human insulin in suspension and 30 percent regular human insulin. This combination insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin however unlike other intermediate-acting insulin it begins to work 30 minutes after injection. Novolin 70/30 reaches its peak performance between 2 and 12 hours and will remain active in the body for up to 24 hours.

   NovoLog

   • Similar to Novalin and manufactured by the same company, NovoLog insulin is a rapid-acting insulin and comes as a FlexPen allowing for ease of injection. NovoLog works faster than normal insulin so it can be taken just 5 to 10 minutes prior to eating. NovoLog imitates natural human insulin which makes effective in controlling glucose levels after mealtimes.

Read more: Types of Novolin Insulin | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5385391_types-novolin-insulin.html#ixzz1Loeu11UV