Insulin (umbrella)
Insulin (general)
Brand names: Actrapid, Humulin, Insulatard
Adult dose
Dose: Individualised — refer to specific preparation. Type 1 DM: typical total 0.5–1 unit/kg/day
Route: SC/IV
Frequency: per regimen
Clinical pearls
- Always specify brand and form (rapid/short/intermediate/long-acting; never-events from confusion)
- Rotate injection sites; check sites at every consultation
Contraindications
- Hypoglycaemia
Side effects
- Hypoglycaemia
- Weight gain
- Lipohypertrophy
- Hypokalaemia (esp. IV)
Interactions
- β-blockers (mask hypos)
- Steroids (raise glucose)
- Alcohol
Monitoring
- CBG
- HbA1c
- Weight
Reference: BNF; NICE NG17/NG28; ABCD/JBDS guidance; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/insulin/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Pathways
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) · JBDS 2013 / Joint British Diabetes Societies; NICE NG17
- Adult Hypoglycaemia (Treated Diabetes) · JBDS-IP (2023): Hospital Management of Hypoglycaemia
- Adrenal Crisis · Society for Endocrinology Emergency Guidance (2024)
- Type 2 Diabetes Management · NICE NG28 2022
- Hyperthyroidism Management · BTA / ETA 2018
- Adrenal Insufficiency · Society of Endocrinology / ESE 2016