Fast Acting Insulin 3 ml.  1 pen.  Sold by Shwe Myittar Pharmacy.

Composition and Indication

Actrapid is a human insulin medication used to treat diabetes. It contains a fast acting human insulin made by recombinant biotechnology. Each milliliter of Actrapid has 100 units of insulin human. One penfill contains 3 milliliters which is equal to 300 units of insulin human. 

Dosage and Precautions

Actrapid is classified as a rapid-acting insulin, which means it has a quick onset of action. After administration, it typically begins to lower blood sugar levels within approximately 30 minutes. Consume a carbohydrate-containing meal or snack within 30 minutes of your injection to prevent low blood sugar. The effects of Actrapid can last for about 8 hours. To provide comprehensive blood sugar management, Actrapid is frequently prescribed alongside longer-acting insulin products.

Pay attention to special warnings and precautions, including the risks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, kidney and liver diseases and potential interactions with other medications.

Undesirable Effects and Drug Interactions 

While using Actrapid, you may experience certain side effects. These can include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), vision problems,skin changes at injection sites, signs of allergy (redness, swelling, itching), peripheral neuropathy (pain due to nerve damage), and swollen joints. 

It's important to be aware of the potential for interactions with other medications. Other oral antidiabetic medications, MAOI, beta blockers, ACEI, acetylsalicylic acid, anabolic steroids, and sulphonamides may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), whereas oral contraceptives, thiazides, glucocorticoids, thyroid hormone therapy, sympathomimetics, growth hormone, and danazol may cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Octreotide and lanreotide may either increase or decrease blood sugar level. Beta-blockers can potentially diminish or completely mask the initial warning signs that help you recognize low blood sugar levels.

In some cases, patients with long-standing diabetes and heart disease or a previous stroke may develop heart failure when pioglitazone are combined with insulin. If you experience symptoms like unusual shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, or localized swelling (edema), it is crucial to inform your doctor promptly.

Storage

Unused Actrapid penfill should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, away from the cooling element. Remember not to freeze them. 

However, if you have an Actrapid penfill that is being used or kept as a spare, it should not be stored in the refrigerator. You can carry it with you and store it at room temperature (below 25ºC) for up to 6 weeks. To protect it from light, always keep the vial in the outer carton when not in use. It is important to ensure that Actrapid is shielded from excessive heat and light.

Alternatives

Actrapid is available in Vial and Penfill formats.

An alternative medication that contains human insulin is Insunova R.

For More Information

Common Health offers customers free access to telemedicine care with general medicine doctors trained on managing non-communicable diseases like diabetes.  If you have questions about Actrapid or other medications used to treat diabetes, please contact us via phone, Facebook, or Viber to arrange a free consultation. 

Information Source and Quality Check

The information above was sourced from Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the product.  It was verified by Dr. Khine Khine Zaw in May 2023.