Insulin therapy preparations available

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes receive subcutaneous insulin injections daily. The goal of insulin therapy is to provide adequate glucose control through each 24 hour period while minimizing the number of injections required to achieve that control. Repeated injections at the same site may result in atrophy or hyperplasia at the injection site. Insulin preparations of short, intermediate and long duration are available (Table 10.10). 

Regular insulin typically is given subcutaneously, often in combination with an intermediate-or long-acting preparation. Special buffered formulations of regular insulin are available for use in subcutaneous infusion pumps that are less likely to crystallize in the tubing during the slow infusion associated with this type of therapy. 

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