ABSTRACT
Description: The recombinant human insulin from Novo Nordisk is produced in Saccharomyces cereυisiae using recombinant DNA technology. It is supplied in numerous formulations that exhibit different onsets of action and duration. Actrapid (Novolin R in the U.S.) is a fast-acting insulin that consists of zinc insulin prepared for subcutaneous and intravenous administration. Insulatard (also marketed with the trade name Protaphane and with the trade name Novolin N [NPH] in the U.S.) is a long-acting insulin that consists of a suspension of isophane insulin for subcutaneous administration. Mixtard (also marketed with the trade name Actraphane and with the trade name Novolin 70/30 in the U.S.) is a dual-acting insulin consisting of a suspension of a different combination of dissolved insulin and isophane insulin for subcutaneous administration. Monotard (Novolin L or Lente in the U.S.) is an intermediate-acting insulin that consists of a suspension of zinc insulin, 30% amorphous and 70% crystalline, for subcutaneous administration. Ultratard (Novolin Ultralente in the U.S.) is a long-acting insulin consisting of a suspension of crystalline particles of zinc insulin for subcutaneous administration. Velosulin is a fast-acting insulin consisting of a solution for continuous subcutaneous infusion with infusion pumps for intravenous and intramuscular injection. All the products are supplied in vials, while Actrapid, Insulatard, and Mixtard are also available in cartridges that are used with dispenser devices (Penfill) and in prefilled syringes (Novo-Let, InnoLet, and FlexiPen).
