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WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Human insulin is used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not make insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) and type 2 diabetes (condition in which the blood sugar is too high because the body does not produce or use insulin normally). Human insulin is in a class of medications called hormones. Human insulin is used to take the place of insulin that is normally produced by the body. It works by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Human insulin comes as a solution (liquid) and a suspension (liquid with particles that will settle on standing) to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or a nurse in a healthcare setting. Human insulin is usually injected subcutaneously several times a day. Your doctor will tell you how many times a day you should inject human insulin.
Use human insulin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Human insulin suspension must be gently shaken or rolled between your hands to mix before use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Never use human insulin when you have symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or if you have checked your blood sugar and found it to be low.
Human insulin comes in vials, cartridges that contain medication and are to be placed in dosing pens, and dosing pens that contain cartridges of medication. Be sure you know what type of container your insulin comes in and what other supplies, such as needles, syringes, or pens, you will need to inject your medication.
Make sure that the name, letter, and strength on your insulin are exactly what your doctor prescribed.
You or a caregiver will be shown how to inject the medicine before your first dose. You will also be given the instructions for use. Read these carefully. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use the medicine.
Always look at your human insulin before you inject it. If you are using a regular human insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R), the insulin should be as clear, colorless, and fluid as water. Do not use this type of insulin if it appears cloudy, thickened, or colored, or if it has solid particles. If you are using an NPH human insulin (Humulin N, Novolin N) or a premixed insulin that contains NPH (Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30), the insulin should appear cloudy or milky after you mix it. Do not use these types of insulin if there are clumps in the liquid or if there are solid white particles sticking to the bottom or walls of the bottle. Do not use any type of insulin after the expiration date printed on the bottle has passed.
You can inject your human insulin in the stomach, upper arm, upper leg, or buttocks. Do not inject human insulin into muscles, scars, or moles. Use a different site for each injection, at least 1/2 inch (1.25 centimeters) away from the previous injection site but in the same general area (for example, the thigh). Use all available sites in the same general area before switching to a different area (for example, the upper arm)
Never reuse needles or syringes and never share needles, syringes, cartridges, or pens. If you are using an insulin pen, always remove the needle right after you inject your dose. Dispose of needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.
Human insulin controls high blood sugar but does not cure diabetes. Continue to use human insulin even if you feel well. Do not stop using human insulin without talking to your doctor. Do not switch to another brand or type of insulin or change the dose of any type of insulin you use without talking to your doctor.
Your doctor may tell you to mix two types of insulin in the same syringe. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to do this.
Are there OTHER USES for this medication?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before using human insulin,
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. I
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
When you first start using human insulin, ask your doctor what to do if you forget to inject a dose at the correct time. Write down these directions so that you can refer to them later.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Human insulin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at http://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Human insulin overdose can occur if you use too much human insulin or if you use the right amount of human insulin but eat less than usual or exercise more than usual. Human insulin overdose can cause hypoglycemia. If you have any symptoms of hypoglycemia, follow your doctor's instructions for what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. Other symptoms of overdose:
What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of reach of children. Store unopened human insulin in the refrigerator. Never allow human insulin to freeze; do not use human insulin that has been frozen and thawed.
If a refrigerator is unavailable (for example, when on vacation), store the human insulin at room temperature and away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.
The total amount of time the human insulin (opened or unopened) can be stored at room temperature depends on the product. Check the manufacturer's information to find out how long you may keep your pen or dosing device after the first use.
Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location - one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using human insulin.
You should always wear a diabetic identification bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in an emergency.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.
¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™ Copyright, 2026. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: October 15, 2026.