Humulin 70/30 Insulin (hi-710)

Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. It inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis. Insulin NPH (Isophane) is an intermediate-acting insulin, and Insulin Regular is a short-acting insulin. The combination provides both rapid onset and prolonged glucose control.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening.
Signs of low potassium levels, including:
+ Muscle pain or weakness
+ Muscle cramps
+ An abnormal heartbeat
Thick skin, pits, or lumps at the injection site
Swelling in the arms or legs
Low blood sugar, which may cause:
+ Dizziness or fainting
+ Blurred vision
+ Mood changes
+ Slurred speech
+ Headache
+ Feeling sleepy or weak
+ Shaking
+ Fast heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Hunger
+ Sweating
+ Seizures

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. If you have low blood sugar, follow the instructions you have been given, which may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people do not experience any side effects or only have mild ones, it is essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor or seek medical attention if you experience:

Weight gain
Irritation at the injection site

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as this may affect your treatment plan.

This is not an exhaustive list of potential interactions. To ensure your safety, it is crucial to discuss all of your:

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Natural products
Vitamins
Health problems

with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help you determine whether it is safe to take this medication in combination with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

This drug may cause low blood sugar, which can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, and even death if not properly managed. It is crucial to discuss this risk with your doctor. Additionally, this medication may cause low blood potassium levels, which can result in abnormal heart rhythms, severe breathing difficulties, and potentially death if left untreated. If you experience any symptoms, you must consult your doctor.

Until you understand how this medication affects you, avoid driving and other activities that require your full attention. Certain diabetes medications, such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, may increase the risk of heart failure or worsen existing heart failure, especially when combined with insulin. If you are taking one of these medications, it is vital to discuss this with your doctor.

To ensure safe use, verify that you have the correct insulin product and are familiar with its administration. Insulin products are available in various containers, including vials, cartridges, and pens. If you have any questions or concerns about measuring or preparing your dose, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Your ability to control blood sugar levels may be affected during stressful events, such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. Changes in physical activity, exercise, or diet can also impact blood sugar control.

It is recommended that you wear a medical alert identification to ensure prompt care in case of an emergency. Regularly check your blood sugar levels as instructed by your doctor and undergo blood tests as scheduled.

Do not operate a vehicle if you have experienced low blood sugar, as this increases the risk of accidents. Before consuming alcohol or using products containing alcohol, consult your doctor. Adhere to the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor.

To prevent the transmission of infections, do not share your insulin product or any related devices, including pens, cartridge devices, needles, or syringes, with others. This precaution is essential even if the needle has been changed, as you may unknowingly have an infection.

If you are 65 or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those planning to become pregnant, must discuss the benefits and risks of this medication with their doctor to ensure the best possible outcome for both mother and baby.

• Beta-blockers (may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia)
• Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (increased risk of fluid retention and heart failure when used with insulin)
• Corticosteroids (may increase blood glucose, requiring higher insulin doses)
• Diuretics (thiazide and loop diuretics may increase blood glucose)
• Sympathomimetics (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol, terbutaline - may increase blood glucose)
• Growth hormone (may increase blood glucose)

• Alcohol (may potentiate hypoglycemic effect)
• Salicylates (e.g., aspirin - may enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect)
• Sulfonamide antibiotics (may enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (may enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect)
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (may enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect)
• Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide, lanreotide - may decrease or increase insulin requirements)

• Symptoms of hypoglycemia: sweating, shakiness, dizziness, confusion, hunger, irritability, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, headache, slurred speech, seizures, unconsciousness.
• Symptoms of hyperglycemia: increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, blurred vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, fruity breath odor (ketoacidosis).

Insulin is the preferred treatment for diabetes in pregnancy (pre-existing or gestational diabetes) due to its efficacy and safety profile. It does not cross the placenta in significant amounts.

Insulin is considered safe for use during lactation. It is a large protein molecule and is not excreted into breast milk in clinically significant amounts. Insulin requirements may decrease during breastfeeding.

Humulin 70/30 can be used in pediatric patients with diabetes, but dosing is highly individualized based on age, weight, pubertal status, and glycemic control. Careful monitoring and titration are essential due to varying insulin sensitivity and growth spurts.

Elderly patients may be at increased risk of hypoglycemia due to impaired renal/hepatic function, reduced food intake, or cognitive impairment. Dosing should be conservative, and blood glucose monitoring should be frequent. Education on hypoglycemia symptoms is crucial.

• Humulin 70/30 is a fixed-ratio combination insulin; it cannot be adjusted for individual NPH or Regular components. If more flexibility is needed, separate NPH and Regular insulin vials may be preferred.
• Always roll the vial gently between palms 10 times and invert 10 times immediately before each injection to ensure the NPH component is evenly suspended.
• Administer 30-45 minutes before a meal to allow the Regular insulin component to begin working.
• Patients should be educated on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to treat it promptly.
• Injection sites should be rotated to prevent lipodystrophy (fat accumulation or atrophy) which can affect insulin absorption.
• Store unopened vials in the refrigerator. Once opened, store at room temperature (below 86°F/30°C) and use within 31 days.

• Basal-bolus insulin regimens (e.g., long-acting insulin + rapid-acting insulin with meals)
• Basal insulin only (e.g., Insulin Glargine, Insulin Detemir)
• Oral antidiabetic agents (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists) for Type 2 Diabetes.

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so be sure to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.