Guidelines and tips for Diabetics on Insulin use, according to the National Diabetes Advisory Board of SA.
Who may need insulin?
Early on in the course of the disease in thin or ill people who have not achieved adequate control on diet and oral medication
Diabetics with severe infections, major surgery and in pregnant diabetic women
At any stage in all people who have not achieved adequate control on diet and oral medication.
When you buy insulin:
U100 insulin is the only recommended concentration of insulin that should be used in South Africa.
Use no-dead-space orange-coded insulin syringes with a 12,7 or 13 mm needle. (A 8 mm needle is
rarely suited for a Type 2 Diabetes person).
Only purified insulin products (human or animal) manufactured by reputable companies should be used.
The types of insulin to be available at all times without interruption of
supplies should include: Short-acting (soluble); intermediate-acting (NPH or
lente); and Biphasic 30/70 mixtures.
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Insulin preparation
Onset of action
Peak action
Duration of action
Injections per day
Very rapid acting (analogue)
10 min
1 hr
3 hr
Immediately prior to meals
Short-acting
30 min
2 - 5 hr
5 - 8 hr
30 min prior to meals
Intermediate-acting (NPH or lente
1 - 3 hr
6 - 12 hr
16 - 24 hr
Once or twice
Biphasic mixtures 30/70
30 min
2 -12 hr
16 - 24 hr
Once or twice
Please note that the time course of action of any insulin is highly variable
among individuals. Even in a given patient, these values vary depending on the
site and depth of the injection, skin temperature and exercise, the SA National
Diabetes Advisory Board cautioned.
For more information on care and support of diabetes visit Diabetes South Africa or phone them on 011 792 9888/7.
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