Humulin R U-500
(insulin, regular, human)Dosage & Administration
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Humulin R U-500 Prescribing Information
HUMULIN R U-500 is a concentrated human insulin indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus requiring more than 200 units of insulin per day.
Limitation of Use
The safety and efficacy of HUMULIN R U-500 used in combination with other insulins has not been determined.
The safety and efficacy of HUMULIN R U-500 delivered by continuous subcutaneous infusion has not been determined.
Important Administration Instructions
- Prescribe HUMULIN R U-500 ONLY to patients who require more than 200 units of insulin per day.
- HUMULIN R U-500 is available as a single-patient-use KwikPen or multiple-dose vial. Patients using the vial must be prescribed the U-500 insulin syringe to avoid medication errors.
- Instruct patients using the vial presentation to use only a U-500 insulin syringe and on how to correctly draw the prescribed dose of HUMULIN R U-500 into the U-500 insulin syringe. Confirm that the patient has understood these instructions and can correctly draw the prescribed dose of HUMULIN R U-500 with their syringe [see Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions ].
- Instruct patients to always check the insulin label before administration to confirm the correct insulin product is being used [see Warnings and Precautions ].
- Inspect HUMULIN R U-500 visually for particulate matter and discoloration. Only use HUMULIN R U-500 if the solution appears clear and colorless.
- Instruct patients to inject HUMULIN R U-500 subcutaneously into the thigh, upper arm, abdomen, or buttocks.
- Rotate injection sites within the same region from one injection to the next to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Do not inject into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis [see Warnings and Precautions and Adverse Reactions ].
- During changes to a patient's insulin regimen, increase the frequency of blood glucose monitoring [see Warnings and Precautions ].
- Use HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen with caution in patients with visual impairment that may rely on audible clicks to dial their dose.
- DO NOT administer HUMULIN R U-500 intravenously.
- DO NOT dilute or mix HUMULIN R U-500 with any other insulin products or solutions.
Dosing Instructions
- Instruct patients to inject HUMULIN R U-500 subcutaneously usually two or three times daily approximately 30 minutes before meals.
- Individualize and titrate the dosage of HUMULIN R U-500 based on the patient's metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results, and glycemic control goal.
- Dosage adjustments may be needed with changes in physical activity, changes in meal patterns (i.e., macronutrient content or timing of food intake), changes in renal or hepatic function, changes in medications or during acute illness to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ].
Delivery of HUMULIN R U-500 Using the HUMULIN R U-500 Disposable Prefilled KwikPen Device
- The HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen dials in 5 unit increments and delivers a maximum dose of 300 units per injection.
- DO NOT perform dose conversion when using the HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen. The dose window of the HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen shows the number of units of HUMULIN R U-500 to be injected and NO dose conversion is required.
- DO NOT transfer HUMULIN R U-500 from the HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen into any syringe for administration as overdose and severe hypoglycemia can occur [see Warnings and Precautions ].
Delivery of HUMULIN R U-500 Using the Vial Presentation and the U-500 Insulin Syringe
- DO NOT perform dose conversion when using a U-500 insulin syringe. The markings on the U-500 insulin syringe show the number of units of HUMULIN R U-500 to be injected.
- Each marking on the syringe represents 5 units of insulin.
- Prescribe patients a U-500 insulin syringe to administer HUMULIN R U-500 from the vial to avoid administration errors. DO NOT use any other type of syringe [see Warnings and Precautions ].
Injection: 500 units/mL (U-500) clear, colorless solution available as:
- 3 mL single-patient-use HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen prefilled pen (containing 1,500 units of insulin)
- 20 mL multiple-dose vial (containing 10,000 units of insulin)
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Available data from published studies over decades have not established an association with human insulin use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data). There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). Animal reproduction studies were not performed.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6-10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with a HbA1c >7% and has been reported to be as high as 20-25% in women with a HbA1c >10%. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk
Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia-related morbidity.
Data
Human Data
While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, published data from retrospective studies, open-label, randomized, parallel studies and meta-analyses over decades have not established an association with human insulin use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. All available studies have methodological limitations, including lack of blinding, unclear methods or randomization, and small sample size.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Available data from published literature suggests that exogenous human insulin products, including HUMULIN R U-500, are transferred into human milk. There are no adverse reactions reported in breastfed infants in the literature. There are no data on the effects of exogenous human insulin products, including HUMULIN R U-500 on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for HUMULIN R U-500 and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from HUMULIN R U-500 or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of HUMULIN R U-500 in pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus requiring more than 200 units of insulin per day to improve glycemic control have been established. Use of HUMULIN R U-500 for this indication is supported by evidence from studies with other insulin human in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and from studies in adults with diabetes mellitus. Standard precautions as applied to use of HUMULIN R U-500 in adults are appropriate for use in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
The effect of age on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of HUMULIN R U-500 has not been studied. Caution should be exercised when HUMULIN R U-500 is administered to geriatric patients. In elderly patients with diabetes, the initial dosing, dose increments, and maintenance dosage should be conservative to avoid hypoglycemia.
Renal Impairment
Frequent glucose monitoring and insulin dose reduction may be required in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
Frequent glucose monitoring and insulin dose reduction may be required in patients with hepatic impairment.
HUMULIN R U-500 is contraindicated:
- During episodes of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ]
- In patients who are hypersensitive to HUMULIN R U-500 or any of its excipients [see Warnings and Precautions ]
Hyperglycemia, Hypoglycemia or Death Due to Dosing Errors with the Vial Presentation
Medication errors associated with the HUMULIN R U-500 vial presentation resulting in patients experiencing hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia or death have been reported. The majority of errors occurred due to errors in dispensing, prescribing or administration. Attention to details at all levels may prevent these errors.
Dispensing Errors
Instruct patients to always inspect insulin vials to confirm that the correct insulin is dispensed including the correct insulin brand and concentration.
The HUMULIN R U-500 vial, which contains 20 mL, has a band of aqua coloring, a 500 units/mL concentration statement consisting of white lettering on a green rectangular background, and a green “U-500” statement prominently displayed next to the trade name. Additionally, the vial has a green flip top and a red warning on the front panel describing the highly concentrated dose and a statement advising use with only U-500 insulin syringes.
Prescribing Errors
Dosing errors have occurred when the HUMULIN R U-500 dose was administered with syringes other than a U-500 insulin syringe. Patients should be prescribed U-500 syringes for use with the HUMULIN R U-500 vials. The prescribed dose of HUMULIN R U-500 should always be expressed in units of insulin [see Dosage and Administration ].
Administration Errors
Instruct patients to always check the insulin label before each injection.
Use only a U-500 insulin syringe with HUMULIN R U-500 to avoid administration errors. Do not use any other type of syringe to administer Humulin R U-500. Adhere to administration instructions [see Dosage and Administration ].
Instruct the patient to inform hospital or emergency department staff of the dose of HUMULIN R U-500 prescribed, in the event of a future hospitalization or visit to the emergency department.
Never Share a HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPen or U-500 Insulin Syringe Between Patients
HUMULIN R U-500 KwikPens should never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using HUMULIN R U-500 vials should never share needles or U-500 insulin syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen
Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ] or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia [see Adverse Reactions ].
Make any changes to a patient's insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. For patients with type 2 diabetes, adjustments in concomitant oral anti-diabetic treatment may be needed.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction associated with insulins, including HUMULIN R U-500. Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures, may be life-threatening or cause death. Severe hypoglycemia may develop as long as 18 to 24 hours after an injection of HUMULIN R U-500. Hypoglycemia can impair concentration ability and reaction time; this may place the patient and others at risk in situations where these abilities are important (e.g., driving, or operating other machinery).
Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly and symptoms may differ in each patient and change over time in the same patient. Symptomatic awareness of hypoglycemia may be less pronounced in patients with longstanding diabetes, in patients with diabetic neuropathy, in patients using medications that block the sympathetic nervous system (e.g., beta-blockers) [see Drug Interactions ], or in patients who experience recurrent hypoglycemia.
Risk Factors for Hypoglycemia
The timing of hypoglycemia usually reflects the time-action profile of the administered insulin formulation. As with all insulin preparations, the glucose lowering effect time course of HUMULIN R U-500 may vary in different individuals or at different times in the same individual and depends on many conditions, including the area of injection as well as the injection site blood supply and temperature.
Other factors which may increase the risk of hypoglycemia include changes in meal pattern (e.g., macronutrient content or timing of meals), changes in level of physical activity, or changes to concomitant drugs [see Drug Interactions ]. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment may be at higher risk of hypoglycemia [see Use in Specific Populations ].
Risk Mitigation Strategies for Hypoglycemia
Patients and caregivers must be educated to recognize and manage hypoglycemia. Self-monitoring of blood glucose plays an essential role in the prevention and management of hypoglycemia. In patients at higher risk for hypoglycemia and patients who have reduced symptomatic awareness of hypoglycemia, increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring is recommended. To minimize the risk of hypoglycemia do not administer HUMULIN R U-500 intravenously or in an insulin pump or dilute or mix HUMULIN R U-500 with any other insulin products or solutions [see Dosage and Administration ].
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulins, including HUMULIN R U-500. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue HUMULIN R U-500; treat per standard of care and monitor until symptoms and signs resolve [see Adverse Reactions ].
Hypokalemia
All insulins, including HUMULIN R U-500, cause a shift in potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia. Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Use caution in patients who may be at risk for hypokalemia (e.g., patients using potassium-lowering medications, patients taking medications sensitive to serum potassium concentrations).
Fluid Retention and Heart Failure with Concomitant Use of PPAR-gamma Agonists
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists, can cause dose-related fluid retention, when used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure. Patients treated with insulin, including HUMULIN R U-500, and a PPAR-gamma agonist should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure develops, it should be managed according to current standards of care, and discontinuation or dose reduction of the PPAR-gamma agonist must be considered.