• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Insulin Urgent Help????

T

teamnoice

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi All,
I’m in need of some urgent information regarding Insulin.
I’m on Holiday in Greece and I’ve forgotten my Insulin! I’ve been to a Pharmacy but they only had Humulin Regular and I normally have Humulin I ? Please can someone advise me if the dosage is the same??
Many Thanks
George
 
teamnoice said:
Hi All,
I’m in need of some urgent information regarding Insulin.
I’m on Holiday in Greece and I’ve forgotten my Insulin! I’ve been to a Pharmacy but they only had Humulin Regular and I normally have Humulin I ? Please can someone advise me if the dosage is the same??
Many Thanks
George
Click to expand...
Definitely not the same, do not take the R like you would take your usual insulin!!!

Humulin I (Isophane) is a longer acting insulin designed to keep you steady over the day, while Humulin R is a quick acting mealtime insulin.
The pharmacy has made a very dangerous mistake by giving you this insulin.

Can you contact your diabetes team or travel insurance?
 
Antje77 said:
Definitely not the same, do not take the R like you would take your usual insulin!!!

Humulin I (Isophane) is a longer acting insulin designed to keep you steady over the day, while Humulin R is a quick acting mealtime insulin.
The pharmacy has made a very dangerous mistake by giving you this insulin.

Can you contact your diabetes team or travel insurance?
Click to expand...
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I’ve been looking into it and I’m aware of the difference I just wanted to know if I can swap them over just for this week as I thought the correct dose of R would be better than nothing.
I’m getting advise from my pharmacist & I’m going to contact the Helpline tomorrow but I thought I would try here in case anyone has done this before
 
teamnoice said:
I just wanted to know if I can swap them over just for this week as I thought the correct dose of R would be better than nothing.
Click to expand...
No, you can't swap them over, please don't give yourself your normal dose of this insulin!

Insulin isophane is an intermediate-acting insulin that starts to work within 2 to 4 hours after injection, peaks in 4 to 12 hours, and keeps working for 12 to 18 hours.
Humulin R has a much shorter action time and has a sharp peak, it's meant to cover meals.

So if you take the R instead of the I you will have the dose that's supposed to last you for a day released in only a couple of hours, very likely leading to a serious low blood glucose level.
 
Antje77 said:
No, you can't swap them over, please don't give yourself your normal dose of this insulin!

Insulin isophane is an intermediate-acting insulin that starts to work within 2 to 4 hours after injection, peaks in 4 to 12 hours, and keeps working for 12 to 18 hours.
Humulin R has a much shorter action time and has a sharp peak, it's meant to cover meals.

So if you take the R instead of the I you will have the dose that's supposed to last you for a day released in only a couple of hours, very likely leading to a serious low blood glucose level.
Click to expand...
Thanks again for the info I will contact the helpline tomorrow so they can advise me the best course of action.
 
Antje77 said:
When did you last have your insulin and what is your blood glucose right now?
Click to expand...
I don’t have my Blood test kit here so I’m not sure. I’ve been without Insulin for 5 days now but I’ve been managing my diet and using Metformin.
 
Back
Top