Novolin 70/30 vs. Humulin 70/30 for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Novolin 70/30

Humulin 70/30

Summary for Novolin 70/30

Prescription or over-the-counter

Novolin 70/30, or Novolin 70/30 ReliOn, is a mixture of two types of insulin: 70% insulin NPH (or "isophane insulin") and 30% insulin regular. It's used to help control blood sugar levels in adults and children with diabetes. The medication comes in vials and prefilled pens (called Novolin 70/30 FlexPen). It's injected under the skin about 30 minutes before a meal. Possible side effects include reactions at the injection site and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Novolin 70/30 is available by prescription and over the counter (OTC), but there's no generic yet.

Indications for Novolin 70/30

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Novolin 70/30

Pros

Helps manage blood sugar from meals and control blood sugar throughout the day
Can use for children with Type 1 diabetes
Available as a FlexPen that helps make injections easier
Available by prescription or over the counter

Cons

Can't customize the dose of each type of insulin in Novolin 70/30
Must be comfortable giving yourself injections under the skin
Can cause low blood sugar and weight gain
Must check your blood sugar regularly

Common Side Effects for Novolin 70/30

Low blood sugar
Reactions where the medication is injected (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)

Warnings for Novolin 70/30

Risk of infections from sharing injection supplies
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications

Summary for Humulin 70/30

Prescription or over-the-counter

Humulin 70/30 is a mixture of two types of insulin: 70% insulin NPH (also known as "isophane insulin") and 30% insulin regular. It's used to help control blood sugar levels in adults with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Humulin 70/30 comes as a vial and a prefilled pen (called the KwikPen). The insulin is injected under the skin 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. Humulin 70/30 can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and reactions at the injection site as side effects. This medication is available by prescription or over the counter.

Indications for Humulin 70/30

Type 1 diabetes in adults
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Humulin 70/30

Pros

Combines two types of insulin within a single product
Manages blood sugar from meals and throughout the day
Available over the counter as a prefilled pen and vial of insulin
Pens are small enough to fit in your purse or pocket

Cons

Can't customize the dose of each type of insulin in Humulin 70/30
Must be comfortable giving yourself injections under the skin
Can cause low blood sugar and weight gain
Only available as a brand-name medication

Common Side Effects for Humulin 70/30

Low blood sugar
Reactions where the medication is injected (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)

Warnings for Humulin 70/30

Risk of infections from sharing injection supplies
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications