Side Effects And Risks
Humulin R and Humulin N both contain insulin human. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects. Below are examples of these side effects.
Mild side effects
This list contains examples of mild side effects that can occur with both Humulin R and Humulin N, when theyre taken individually.
- bloating
- fluid retention , especially in your arms and legs
- weight gain
- injection site reaction, which may cause swelling and pain in the area where you inject either drug
- protein buildup underneath your skin in the area where you inject either drug
- skin lesions at the site of your injection
Serious side effects
This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with both Humulin R and Humulin N, when theyre taken individually.
Otc Insulin: Terrible Npr Article
This whole article makes me squirm. But one section drives me particularly angry: the story of why Indiana stopped OTC sales of older insulin : “One state does require prescriptions for all insulin. Dr. Kevin Burke, a health officer for Clark County, Ind., led the effort to require prescriptions in his state. I didnt realize that insulin was over the counter in Indiana until two of my patients, who were in good control, suddenly had increased glucoses, Burke says. He asked them if they had changed their diet, lost weight, altered their workout routines. They had not. They both admitted that they had decided to switch to over-the-counter insulin, Burke says, which was different from what I had prescribed. I find this a boneheaded decision if there is one. This health officer is now able to forbid his patients from using other insulin than what he required them to use. The fact is, most likely they switched because they couldnt afford their regular insulin. The only outcome of this excess of zeal, imho, is to result in more deaths like Shane Boyles. Sometimes I get really tired of all these people wanting to dictate to me what I should decide for myself. Note: this was originally part of this thread: Cheapest insulin and diabetes suppliesContinue reading > >
Uninsured And Need Insulin
Learn how you can get affordable insulin without insurance coverage
If you are uninsured or have recently lost your employee-based insurance, it might seem like your options for managing your diabetes are limited. Challenges with access and affordability can increase the chance that people will ration or skip doses of insulin, leading to many serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis and visits to the emergency room. Everyone with diabetes should be able to afford insulin, regardless of whether they are covered by insurance.
Though insulin prices have increased over the years, there many programs that can help people who dont have insurance get insulin and also save on costs as a side note, profitability of insulin has actually declined, as shown through rebates and subsidies. Assistance and cost-saving programs are offered by a range of organizations, including pharmaceutical companies and retail pharmacies. Since each program varies by cost, type of insulin offered, and duration of supply, its important to explore your options carefully. Weve organized details on various assistance programs and resources to help you navigate this.
What are my options?
Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, and Lilly have their own insulin savings programs for people. Sanofi and Novo Nordisk both cap a monthly supply of insulin at $99 , while Lilly has recently introduced a $35 cap in response to COVID-19.
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Can You Buy Insulin For Pets At Walmart
It has an intermediate-acting NPH human-recombinant insulin . It is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, so sold on Walmarts website under the name of its American subsidiary. If you wish to administer insulin, you need to use a U-100 insulin needle or a pen that was designed specifically for this product.
Mixed Response From Patients
Theres been mixed response within the online community.
Christine Howe in New York says shes been getting most of her prescriptions, including insulin, for years from PillPack even before Amazons acquisition and the experience has been great.
Theyre very reliable and always ship it quickly with plenty of cool packs in a Styrofoam case, she says. They contact my doctor for refills without me doing anything. I just dont love all the extra waste.
Others point to the pricing as negative, and above all a lost opportunity.
An anonymous type 1 in California notes: It doesnt look like there are any great deals on insulin, at least, not for cash payers. Pricing may vary depending on insurance, though.
Amazon is offering a benefit only if they undercut the original manufacturers price and forces a race to the bottom price-wise, says fellow type 1 Shaw Strothers in California.
In Ohio, longtime type 1 Roxanne Marie puts it simply that Amazons insulin prices are absurd,
On Instagram, writes: Its a positive in the way that there is an option for the lag time and incidences that insurance companies and pharmacies create hoops for us to jump through to get the next Rx filled. Its a nice backup option if needed. But the big picture is that its terribly sad to see that insulin is seen as retail. In our home, the same as all who need insulin, it is life support. Its a necessity and its heartbreaking that theres such a price tag on that.
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How Insulin Affects Blood Sugar
Normally, after you eat food, it gets broken down in your stomach. And glucose from the food travels into your bloodstream. In response to this, your body releases insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose out of your bloodstream and into your bodys cells. Once inside your cells, the glucose can be turned into energy.
Insulin is usually made by your pancreas. But in people with type 1 diabetes, their pancreas isnt able to make insulin. And in people with type 2 diabetes, their body may still be making insulin, but their cells are resistant to the hormone. Over time, its possible that people with type 2 diabetes might not be able to make their own insulin.
If your body is either not making insulin or not responding to it, your blood sugar level can get too high. Having high blood sugar levels can damage your organs. And with high blood sugar levels, your cells might not be getting the glucose they need for energy.
Fact : The Number Of Insulin Syringe Matters
Although you dont need a prescription to buy an insulin syringe over the counter, thats not the end of the discussion. Without the prescription, you cant buy more than 10 units of insulin syringes at a time in states like Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Connecticut, etc.
In some other states, the number of syringes that you can buy might be varied, but there is always a definite number in a particular state. As an example, in Illinois, you can buy up to 20 syringes over the counter without any prescription. In the case of California, the number is a bit raised to 30 or fewer.
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Ways To Save On Insulin
Its difficult to predict where drug prices will be in the future, but if you take insulin, we hope our analysis gives you some ideas for how to talk to your provider about affordable options. Here are more ways you can save:
1) Use a manufacturer savings card or patient assistance program. Major insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi-Aventis, and MannKind offer copay cards and patient assistance programs for patients with and without insurance coverage. In many cases, these programs can reduce out-of-pocket costs to as little as $0 per month. For more information, just search for your drug on goodrx.com, and click on Savings Tips for details.
2) Shop around. GoodRx offers discounts on insulin drugs, which can save you as much as 50% off the full retail price. At goodrx.com, you can also compare insulin prices at different pharmacies in your area and find information about discount programs at specific pharmacies.
3) Appeal your coverage. If you have insurance and your plan doesnt cover the insulin you need, ask your doctor about submitting an appeal. Your insurance company may require a prior authorization or step therapy before you can fill your prescription, but its worth trying if you want to get your insulin covered.
Co-contributors:Diane Li, Hannah McQueen, Swetha Pola
Methodology
A note about insulin use
Does Humulin R Treat Diabetic Ketoacidosis
The active drug in Humulin R, called insulin human, is sometimes used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis .
However, the drug is used a bit differently when treating this condition than it is when used routinely to treat diabetes. For example, instead of giving the drug as injection under your skin , insulin human is given intravenously when treating DKA.
DKA is a life threatening medical emergency. It happens in people with diabetes, when the cells in their body cant take in enough glucose to use for energy.
Symptoms of DKA can include:
- breath that has a fruity odor
- feeling thirsty or like your mouth is very dry
- being tired
- urinating more often than usual
- trouble concentrating or paying attention
- high blood sugar level
- nausea or vomiting
If you think you have DKA, call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room. If you feel youre having a medical emergency, call 911. You should not attempt to treat DKA on your own using Humulin R.
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How Many Packs Of Syringes Can I Buy At A Time
Buying a larger pack of syringes means youre always prepared. But you need to consult the law in your state before buy in large quantities.
Some states require that you have a prescription to buy insulin syringes in any quantity. Other conditions may need a prescription if you are buying more than ten packs of them.
California syringes law, for example, states like this:
- California law allows licensed pharmacies and physicians throughout the state to sell or provide an unlimited number of syringes without a prescript to consumers over 18.
- The law stipulates that pharmacists, physicians, and syringe exchange programs are authorized sources of nonprescription syringes for disease prevention objectives.
- AB1743 removes the prior limit of 30 placed on nonprescription syringe provision by pharmacies and physicians.
- AB1743 needs the approved NPSS sources to counsel consumers on safe disposal of syringes.
- California Assembly Bill 1743 allows physicians and pharmacists in California to furnish or market syringes without a prescription to adults 18 years of age or older.
Connecticut, Minnesota, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and New Hampshire allow the business of 10 or less. Also, since state laws can change often, it is always best to check with your local pharmacy what may be required.
Drug Forms And Administration
Humulin R comes as a liquid solution. Its available in two strengths:
- Humulin R U-100. This strength contains 100 units of insulin per 1 mL of solution. It comes in 3-mL and 10-mL vials. In the 3-mL vial, youll have a total of 300 units of insulin human. And in the 10-mL vial, youll have a total of 1,000 units of insulin human.
- Humulin R U-500. This strength contains 500 units of insulin per 1 mL of solution. It comes in a 20-mL vial. Its also available as a 3-mL KwikPen, which is a prefilled pen thats meant to be used more than once, but only by one person. In the 20-mL vial, youll have a total of 10,000 units of insulin human. And in the 3-mL KwikPen, youll have a total of 1,500 units of insulin human.
- 10-mL vials, which each hold a total of 1,000 units of insulin human
- FlexPens, which are 3-mL prefilled pens that are meant to be used more than once, but only by one person each pen holds a total of 300 units of insulin human
Whether youre using vials of either Humulin R or Novolin R, youll need to purchase appropriate syringes and needles to administer the drug. And you should use a new needle and a new syringe for each dose.
And if youre using either the KwikPen or the FlexPen, youll need to purchase appropriate needles to use with the pen. You should use a new needle for each dose of insulin given with the pen.
In some cases, Humulin R and Novolin R are given as an intravenous infusions by healthcare providers.
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Do I Need A Prescription For Insulin
If you are a diabetic you may have heard conflicting information on whether or not you require a prescription to pick up insulin from a pharmacy.
When isnt a prescription required?
In Alberta, insulin can be sold to a patient without a prescription. Insulin is in the Schedule 2 drug class. Schedule 2 medications can only be sold in a pharmacy, and they must be kept behind the pharmacy counter. In order to sell a schedule 2 medication, the pharmacist must set up a complete patient profile and ensure the medication is appropriate for the patient.
While insulin is considered schedule 2, it is in this schedule in case of emergency. This means that if you are traveling and run out of insulin, or cant get in to see your doctor, the pharmacist can maintain your current insulin therapy without sending you to a walk in clinic or emergency. The pharmacist must document the sale of the insulin on your profile, along with any information that helped the pharmacist determine the insulin was appropriate.
When is a prescription required?
The majority of the time a pharmacist will not sell insulin without a prescription. The reasons for this are as follows.
How To Buy Syringes Over The Counter
Syringes are little plastic tubes with a plastic plunger that are used to squirt liquid into or withdraw liquid from something, most often the body. Having syringes around the house can be useful, especially when you have young children. You can use syringes to administer liquid medication orally to young children to avoid the spills you might experience when using a spoon. You can also use syringes to squirt liquids into tight spaces, such as lubricant on hinges. But, first you have to find a way to purchase syringes over the counter.
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What Will Happen When You Buy Syringes Over The Counter
Pharmacies in some states like Minnesota have a 10-pack of insulin syringes for sale. Staff may ask if you want a different size say 0.5 ml or 1 ml to account for your needs when youre purchasing. The team may also be wary of illicit use, but only to determine the correct quantity needed.
Depend on the stores, for example, Walgreens has a policy not to question customers, but some pharmacists may. This conversation may occur:
- Hi, how can I help you?
- Yes, I need a bag/box of 30 gauge, 8mm, U-100 insulin syringes.
- Sure, Im just gonna need to see your picture ID Simple as that.
Although when dispensing medication, its up to their discretion. Walgreens generally sells hypodermic needles. You can usually buy a 100-pack for around $14.
U-100 syringe is the standard reference. Then go to the pharmacy counter and ask for them like you have done it before. Pretend that youre asking for something that isnt a big deal. Most likely, they will grab them and ring you up.
If you are asking for an IV needle, one way around it is to ask for an IM needle, the smallest gauge possible. An insulin needle is 28-31 gauge, and the IM one is 25 or more prominent. Define the volume of the syringe, needle length, and gauge.
When the transaction is satisfactorily completed, say, as youre leaving, Thanks. I will be coming back.
The Limits Of Human Insulin
Walmart sells older versions of human insulin, which were once the best option for staying well. Human insulin is a synthetic substance that is engineered through recombinant DNA technologies to mimic insulins produced by the body. These insulins were widely used from the early 1980s until the mid-1990s. They differ from newer analog insulins, which absorb more quickly and give people with diabetes greater control over their bodies.
People who resort to Walmart insulins, especially those who transition to it after years of using analogs, often struggle with the lack of flexibility and more precise timing required when using older forms of the substance. If insulin does not absorb quickly enough, it leaves people imperiled.
This is exactly what happened to 27-year-old Josh Wilkerson this past summer. The Washington Post reports that after aging out of his parents insurance, Wilkerson transitioned to Walmart insulin to afford treatment. But the older insulin did not take. He suffered multiple strokes, went into a coma and eventually died. His blood sugar was reported to be 17 times higher than normal.
Although it is difficult to assess how many people have experienced complications from adopting these insulins, we do know that the price of analogs continues to rise, as do rates of diabetes. As such, the number of people pursuing Walmart insulin as an alternative is likely to increase.
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