Humulin R is the brand name for Eli Lilly's recombinant human regular insulin. The usual version of Humulin R is U-100 and contains 100 units of insulin activity per 1 milliliter (mL) of fluid. But there's also a version called U-500. The U-500 insulin is 5 times more potent than U-100 insulin. U-500 insulin contains 500 units of insulin activity per 1 milliliter of fluid. People may need to use U-500 if their diabetes is not well-controlled with U-100 or another strength such as U-200 and U-300. The U-500 version should be used only for patients requiring doses above 200 units a day.
Since the use of U-500 insulin is not as common as the use of U-100 insulin, some health professionals may not be aware of it. This by itself increases the chance of dispensing errors.The main problem with U-500 insulin is the risk of a mix-up between the insulin U-100 and insulin U-500 versions. If this occurs, it can result in very dangerous low blood sugar or very high blood sugar levels. A mix-up between the two insulin concentrations may occur if doctors or pharmacists select the wrong concentration (for example, selecting the U-500 regular insulin from computer screen instead of U-100). Sometimes the two concentrations appear one line apart on the computer screen, which sets up the possibility of selection errors. Depending on the screen size, the prescriber may see only the first few words of the product listing, so the drug concentration is not seen. Prescribers may assume the patient needs U-100 and may not even look for the concentration on the screen.
A mix-up may also occur if U-100 insulin and U-500 insulin are stored next to each other at the pharmacy, in the hospital or even in your home. Although the colors of the vials are different, if someone is not aware to look out for the concentration on the vials, the vials could be confused for one another.
As of November 2016, a syringe to administer concentrated Humulin R U-500 (Regular insulin ) has been made available from the manufacturer, BD. The syringe measures U-500 insulin doses ranging from 25 units to 250 units in 5-unit segments. Prior to the release of the U-500 syringe, it was recommended to use a U-100 syringe or tuberculin syringe to administer U-500 insulin. But dosing errors frequently occurred to patients who drew doses from a vial into a U-100 or tuberculin syringe. Every unit on the U-100 syringe scale is equal to 5 units of U-500 insulin. So, a dose measuring “40” units in a U-100 syringe is really 200 units of U-500 insulin. With a tuberculin syringe, the U-500 insulin dose must be measured in mL, not units. Both situations have led to serious insulin dosing errors.
Now that a U-500 syringe is available, a U-100 syringe or tuberculin syringe should no longer be used to administer U-500 insulin in healthcare facilities or in the home.Humulin R U-500 is also available in a prefilled pen, which also measures the concentrated insulin in 5-unit segments. With the Humulin R U-500 KwikPen, and now with the U-500 insulin syringe, the actual dose of U-500 insulin prescribed is the actual dose that is measured in the syringe or dialed with the pen. The updated information for physicians who prescribe Humulin R U-500 now requires all prescriptions for the U-500 insulin vials to be accompanied by prescriptions for the new U-500 insulin syringes. The updated information also recommends that healthcare providers:
• Instruct patients who use vials of U-500 to use only a U-500 insulin syringe
• Teach patients how to correctly draw the prescribed dose into the U-500 insulin syringe
• Confirm that the patient has understood the directions
If you are uncertain how to use the new syringe, ask your pharmacist, doctor, or office nurse.
Individuals who use insulin must be aware of the concentration and insulin type that you normally use. If you see U-500 on the label when you are supposed to be getting U-100, or if the opposite is true, make sure you question your pharmacist or doctor before taking it.
Also, if another individual in your home also uses insulin that is not the same concentration as yours, store the insulin in different areas. This way you will not inadvertently grab the wrong vial.
If you are to be hospitalized and you use U-500 insulin, be sure to clarify this with the medical staff. It is recommended to bring whichever syringe you use at home to the hospital and demonstrate where you normally draw up your insulin to.
