insulin pork

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

Actions: 

Insulin Pork refers to insulin derived from the pancreas of pigs. This hormone is naturally produced by the pancreas’s beta cells and aids in transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes lack the ability to produce insulin internally and need to administer it through injections. 

Spectrum:  

Hypurin NPH Insulin, Pork (Isophane (Porcine) Insulin Injection) is indicated for the following: 

1. Management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in patients currently using an animal-derived insulin. 
2. Treatment of new patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who cannot tolerate recombinant human insulin or have inadequate control over it. 
3. Suitable for diabetics meeting the specified criteria and requiring a medium-duration insulin depot. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

• Anxiety 
• chest tightness 
• bloating or swelling of the arms, face, lower legs, hands, or feet 
• dizziness 
• chills 
• cough 
• coma 
• cold sweats 
• confusion 
• decreased urine 
• cool, pale skin 
• depression 
• blurred vision 
• dry mouth 
• difficulty swallowing 
• seizures 
• fast heartbeat 
• irregular heartbeat 
•  itching, hives, or rash 
• headache 
• increased hunger 
• nightmares 
• hyperglycemia 
• loss of appetite 
• increased thirst 
• rapid weight gain 
• nausea or vomiting 
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips 
• hypomagnesemia 
• Peripheral neuropathy 
• muscle pain or cramps 
• slurred speech 
• hypophosphatemia 
• Insulin resistance 
• Ketoacidosis 
• tingling of the hands or feet 
•  swelling or puffiness of the eyelids or around the eyes, lips, face,or tongue 
• shakiness 
• hypoglycemia 
• lipodystrophy 
• Hypersensitivity reactions at injection site 
• sodium retention and edema 
• unusual weight gain or loss 
• unusual tiredness or weakness 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

The most prevalent adverse effect associated with insulin therapy is hypoglycemia. Individuals undergoing insulin therapy should consistently monitor their blood or urinary glucose concentrations. Failing to promptly address hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic reactions can result in severe consequences, including coma, loss of consciousness, or even death. 

Patients making a transition to Hypurin Pork insulins from other commercially available preparations may need to make adjustments to their dosage. It is essential to emphasize that Hypurin NPH Insulin Pork should never be administered intravenously. 

When combining Hypurin NPH Insulin with Hypurin Regular Insulin in the same syringe, it is recommended to withdraw Hypurin Regular Insulin as the first dose. The injection should then be administered promptly after withdrawing the contents. It is of utmost importance not to use the vial if its contents have been frozen or if it contains non-dispersing lumps. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications 

• Hypersensitivity 
• Hypoglycemia 

Cautions 

• Renal impairment 
• Hepatic impairment 
• Hypoglycemia 
• Hypokalemia 
• Drug interactions 
• Heart problems 
• Pregnancy  
• Acromegaly 
• Pheochromocytoma 
• Hyperthyroidism 
• Pediatrics below 6 years 
• Breastfeeding 
• Cushing’s syndrome 
• Geriatrics above 65 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

No data is available regarding the administration of the drug during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

No data is available regarding the excretion of drug in breast milk. 

Pregnancy category: 

Category A: well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women. 

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.    

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

Insulin is a hormone that functions by reducing glucose (sugar) levels in the bloodstream. Insulin pork is categorized as intermediate-acting insulin, commencing its effects within 2 to 4 hours post-injection, reaching its peak activity in 4 to 12 hours, and maintaining its efficacy for 12 to 18 hours. 

Pharmacodynamics:  

A healthy individual’s pancreas typically produces around 50 units of insulin per day, which is adequate to regulate fasting blood sugar concentrations within the range of 3.3 – 5.6 mmol/L. In diabetes mellitus, blood sugar levels escalate uncontrollably. When insulin is administered parenterally, it induces a decrease in blood sugar concentration and promotes increased glycogen storage in the liver.

In diabetic individuals, it elevates the respiratory quotient following a carbohydrate-rich meal and prevents the formation of ketone bodies. The surge in blood sugar concentration triggered by adrenaline, corticosteroids, glucagon, and posterior pituitary extract can be counteracted by the administration of insulin. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

The time to achieve peak effect is 4-12 hours 

Metabolism 

Hepatic metabolism 

Elimination and Excretion 

The half-life is 4-5 min 

The drug is excreted in urine (small amounts) 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

Insulin pork is typically administered through subcutaneous injection, targeting the fatty tissue just beneath the skin. To prevent lipodystrophy or alterations in the fat layer, it is recommended to rotate the injection site regularly. Prior to the injection, it is essential to clean the skin using an alcohol swab and allowing it to dry.

Using a fine-gauge needle at a 90-degree angle, the injection should be delivered cautiously to avoid direct injection into a blood vessel. After the injection, the needle is withdrawn, and pressure is applied gently to the injection site to minimize the risk of bleeding. Adhering to proper injection techniques is crucial, and consulting healthcare professionals for guidance on the specific administration of insulin pork is advisable. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: insulin pork 

Pronounced: IN-suh-lin pohrk 

Why do we use insulin pork? 

Historically, pork-derived insulin, commonly known as pork insulin, was utilized in diabetes treatment as a source of insulin for individuals managing their blood sugar levels through insulin therapy. The insulin produced by the pancreas of pigs closely resembles human insulin, rendering pork insulin biologically suitable for therapeutic purposes. 

However, it’s noteworthy that the use of pork insulin has significantly diminished over time due to the emergence of synthetic or recombinant human insulin. This type of insulin is crafted through genetic engineering methods, resulting in a product virtually identical to naturally occurring human insulin. The transition to human insulin was prompted by concerns regarding potential allergic reactions to insulin derived from animals and the preference for a more precisely tailored insulin therapy. 

In contemporary medical practice, synthetic or recombinant human insulin has become the standard for insulin therapy. It has primarily supplanted insulin sourced from animals, including pork insulin, owing to its purity, efficacy, and diminished risk of allergic reactions.