Humulin N
Humulin N, a brand name of insulin NPH, is an intermediate-acting insulin. It helps control blood sugar levels in adults and children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. This type of insulin comes in a vial, and you'll need to use a syringe and needle to draw up the dose. There are also single-use prefilled pens called Humulin N KwikPen for easier use. Humulin N is injected under the skin, usually once or twice daily, to regulate blood sugar levels. Side effects include low blood sugar and reactions at the injection site.
What is Humulin N?
What is Humulin N used for?
How Humulin N works
Humulin N is a type of insulin. Insulin is a hormone your body normally makes that helps manage your blood sugar levels in a few ways. It helps your body use sugar from your blood for energy. It also helps absorb and store extra sugar in the body. And, insulin stops your liver from making too much sugar.
Providing extra insulin is important for people with diabetes. Their body either can't make insulin, doesn't make enough insulin, or doesn't respond to insulin as it should.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Humulin N
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low blood sugar
- Reactions where the medication is injected (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)
Less Common Side Effects
- Lumpiness or pitting of the skin where the medication is injected
- Weight gain
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Humulin N serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severely low blood sugar: dizziness, shakiness, feeling confused, feeling irritable or anxious, feeling faint, sweating, extreme hunger, can't think clearly
- Very low potassium: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, abnormal heartbeat, tiredness, trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; hives; swelling of face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing
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The following Humulin N side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
- Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Lipodystrophy—hardening or scarring of tissue at injection site
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Weight gain
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Pros and cons of Humulin N
Pros
- Available over the counter without a prescription
- Can help manage either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Available as a pen and vial
Cons
- Must give as an injection under the skin
- Might need to inject twice daily
- Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain
Pharmacist tips for Humulin N
- Before using Humulin N for the first time, read the instructions for the vial or KwikPen (whichever one you have). Go over any tips your diabetes care team shared with you. If you have any questions, ask your prescriber, pharmacist, or care team.
- Always use a new needle for each Humulin N injection or a new Humulin N KwikPen each time. This helps prevent infections and blocked needles.
- Low blood sugar can be a side effect of Humulin N. Make sure you and your family members can spot and treat low blood sugar. Watch out for symptoms like lightheadedness, shakiness, nervousness, and confusion. Keep fast-acting sugar, like glucose tablets, close by in case your blood sugar drops too low. Very low blood sugar can be dangerous and should get treated right away.
- If you use more than one type of insulin during the day, follow your diabetes care team's instructions. Always check the insulin label before using it to make sure it's the right one. Double checking can help prevent mistakes that could make your blood sugar drop too low.
- Ask your prescriber how often you should check your blood sugar. Keep a log of your readings and share it with your prescriber at your office visits. This helps you and your prescriber keep track of how well Humulin N is working for you. Based on your blood sugar patterns, they can decide if you need any dose adjustments.
- Try to keep your meal patterns and exercise routine relatively consistent. If you make any big or sudden changes, tel your care team because this can affect your blood sugar. Your care team might need to adjust your Humulin N dose or your other diabetes medications.
Tips on how to use Humulin N:
- Before each Humulin N injection: Make sure you're using the correct insulin and that you've prepared it the right way, including the right number of units. This helps avoid mistakes, like taking too much insulin, which can make your blood sugar too low.
- How to mix the insulin in the Humulin N vial before injecting: Roll the vial gently in your hands about 10 times. Then, slowly turn the vial upside down and back about 10 times. After mixing, the liquid in the vial should look white and cloudy. Don't shake the vial too much. This is because bubbles can form, which can make you draw up the wrong amount of insulin into the syringe.
- How to mix the insulin in the Humulin N KwikPen before priming: Roll the pen in between your palms 10 times. Then, turn the pen up and down 10 times. The insulin should look white and cloudy after mixing.
- How to prime and prepare the Humulin N KwikPen before each injection: Put a new needle on the pen and set the dose to 2 units. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and tap it so any air bubbles go to the top. With the needle pointing up, press the dose knob bottle in until it stops and the dose window shows "0." Hold the dose knob in while you count slowly to 5. When primed, you should see a small drop of insulin at the needle tip. Then, set the pen to your prescribed dose.
- Where to inject Humulin N: Inject the medication under the skin in your stomach, buttocks, upper legs, or the back of your upper arms. Each time, choose a different spot in that area. This helps prevent hard lumps in the skin, pitted or thickened skin, or irritated skin.
- After each Humulin N injection: Throw away your used syringe and needle or used KwikPen into a sharps container. If you don't have one, you can also use a heavy-duty plastic container like an empty laundry detergent bottle. Don't throw away syringes, needles, or pens in the regular trash. These tips help protect you and others from accidental needle sticks.
- How to store Humulin N vials: Store unopened vials in the refrigerator until their expiration date. You can also keep them at room temperature (up to 86ºF) for up to 31 days. Keep opened vials at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 31 days.
- How to store Humulin N KwikPens: Keep unopened pens in the refrigerator until their expiration date. You can also keep them at room temperature (up to 86ºF) for up to 14 days. Keep opened pens at room temperature for up to 14 days. Don't put opened pens back in the fridge.
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Common questions about Humulin N
Neither. Humulin N is an intermediate-acting insulin. It starts working within 1 to 3 hours after you inject it. It doesn’t work fast enough to control blood sugar right after meals, so it's not called fast-acting. It also lasts for about 12 hours or so, which is shorter than long-acting insulins.
Humulin N usually begins lowering blood sugar within 1 to 3 hours after you inject it.
The blood sugar-lowering effects of Humulin N can last about 14 to 24 hours. The time can vary because the insulin isn't absorbed consistently into the body. Depending on how you respond to the medication, you typically take Humulin N once or twice a day. Your prescriber will work closely with you to find the best dosing schedule to keep your blood sugar under control throughout the day.
No. Humulin N and Novolin N are not exactly the same, but they’re very similar. They're two different brand names of the same type of insulin — insulin isophane human, also known as insulin NPH. They take just as long to start working and last about the same time. They both come as 10 mL vials and 3 mL prefilled pens. But how opened vials and pens are stored and when they expire are different. Talk to a member of your diabetes care team to compare the two and see which is right for you.
Yes, Humulin N is available over the counter in most states. It's kept "behind the counter," so you'll need to ask the pharmacy staff for it. But you don't need a prescription from a healthcare professional to buy it. Even so, you should still use Humulin N under the guidance of a diabetes healthcare professional. This makes sure it's safe and appropriate for you. Talk to your care team if you have questions about using Humulin N.
It depends on if you're using the vial or the KwikPen and if you've started using it or not. It's best to store unopened Humulin N vials or unused Humulin N KwikPens in the refrigerator. This helps the medication last until the manufacturer's expiration date. Keep opened Humulin N vials in the refrigerator, but you can also keep them at room temperature for up to 31 days. Don't keep opened Humulin N KwikPens in the fridge; store them at room temperature for up to 14 days. Call a member of your diabetes care team or your pharmacist if you're not sure how to store Humulin N at home.
After opening, Humulin N vials are typically good for up to 31 days and Humulin N KwikPens are good for up to 14 days. Write the new expiration date on the vial or KwikPen when you first open it. Check with your diabetes care team about how to store the vials and KwikPens after opening. After the expiration date has passed, throw Humulin N away, even if there's still some insulin left inside.
Yes. Humulin N is generally safe for people who are pregnant. In fact, insulin is often the preferred choice for diabetes during pregnancy. If you need to use Humulin N while pregnant, your care team will monitor you closely. They can adjust your insulin dose if needed to keep your blood sugar under control.
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Risks and warnings for Humulin N
Humulin N can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of infections from sharing injection supplies
Never share your insulin syringes and needles with anyone else. Also don't let someone else use your Humulin N KwikPens, even if you've changed the needle tip. Sharing Humulin N and your other injection supplies can raise the risk of spreading serious infections.
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
- Risk factors: Changes in insulin strength | Changes in type of insulins you take | Switching insulin brand-name products | Sudden changes to where you inject
Changing your insulin or your insulin routine can affect how your body responds to insulin. This can include suddenly changing where you inject Humulin N or switching to a different brand name of insulin. These changes can lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. Injecting insulin into thickened or pitted areas of skin often can make your body absorb less insulin. This can lead to higher blood sugar levels.
If your diabetes care team tells you to make any changes, be sure to check your blood sugar levels more often. This helps you see how the changes affect your blood sugar. Don't make changes to your Humulin N dose or insulin routine without checking in with your care team first.
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
- Risk factors: Changes to diet, meal patterns, or exercise routine | Drinking alcohol | Taking other diabetes medications | Liver or kidney problems
Humulin N can cause low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. When your blood sugar drops too low, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening, especially if it's not treated in time. Check your blood sugar regularly to make sure it's within a safe range. Also check your blood sugar if you've made changes to your meal patterns, exercise routine, or other medications to be safe.
Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar so you can catch it early. You might feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty, clammy, nervous, irritated, confused, or hungry. You could also have trouble paying attention or reacting quickly, which might not be safe while driving. Keep in mind that low blood sugar can happen suddenly and look different for everyone.
It's important to know how to treat low blood sugar. Always keep fast-acting sugars, such as glucose tablets, with you. This helps you get your blood sugar back up fast. If you have low blood sugar, treat it right away and tell your diabetes care team. If it doesn't improve after you try to treat it, get medical help right away.
Low potassium levels
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower potassium levels
Humulin N can cause low potassium levels, which can sometimes be dangerous. You could be at greater risk if you also take medications that can lower potassium, like certain diuretics. If you're at risk, your prescriber might check your potassium levels with a blood test.
Some people might not have symptoms until their potassium levels drop pretty low. To be safe, be familiar to the signs and symptoms of low potassium. Watch for weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, or a racing heart. If this happens while you're taking Humulin N, tell your care team so they can check your potassium levels. If they're low, your care team might suggest ways to get your levels back up to a safe range.
Swelling and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications
- Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with insulin | History of heart failure
Taking Humulin N with diabetes medications called glitazones, like pioglitazone (Actos), can cause your body to hold onto extra fluid. This extra fluid can put stress on the heart, which can lead to or worsen heart failure.
Before starting Humulin N, tell your prescriber if you have a history of heart failure. Let them know about any other diabetes medications you're taking. Your prescriber can make sure Humulin N is safe for you and follow up with you more often.
Tell your care team if you notice swelling in your legs or ankles while using Humulin N. Also tell them if you have trouble breathing or feel more tired than usual. These could be signs of fluid buildup or heart failure. Your care team can check what's going on.
Severe allergic reaction
Rarely, Humulin N can cause a serious, life-threatening reaction, like anaphylaxis. This can look like swelling in your face, lips, or tongue; rash; or trouble breathing. If this happens, call 911 right away.
Humulin N dosage
Typical dosage for Humulin N
The Humulin N dose is different for each person. Your diabetes care team will find the right dose for you based on your blood sugar levels and how your body responds to insulin. They can adjust your dose to help your blood sugar levels stay within a target range.
In general, Humulin N is injected under the skin, typically once or twice a day. It's injected into the fatty tissue of the stomach, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks.
How much does Humulin N cost?
$21.77
Humulin N contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Humulin N will not be safe for you to take.
- Using when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
What are alternatives to Humulin N?
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