Insulin Regular
Short-acting human insulin for prandial glucose control, the standard rapid-acting insulin before analog development.
Chemical Identity
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C257H383N65O77S6 |
| Molecular Weight | 5808 Da |
| CAS Number | 11061-68-0 |
| Peptide Class | Human Insulin (Recombinant) |
| Onset | 30-60 minutes |
Structure
Regular insulin is recombinant human insulin, identical in structure to endogenous insulin. It consists of A chain (21 amino acids) and B chain (30 amino acids) connected by two interchain disulfide bonds, with one intrachain disulfide bond on the A chain. In solution, it forms hexamers with zinc ions.
Mechanism of Action
Regular insulin binds insulin receptors, promoting glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue while suppressing hepatic glucose production. Hexamer dissociation at the injection site must occur before absorption, causing the characteristic 30-60 minute onset delay compared to insulin analogs.
Clinical Applications
- Type 1 diabetes: Prandial coverage in basal-bolus regimens
- Type 2 diabetes: Supplemental insulin for postprandial control
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: IV infusion for acute management
- Hyperkalemia: IV insulin with glucose for potassium shifting
- Surgery: Intraoperative glucose management
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life: 2 hours (distribution), 5-6 hours (terminal)
- Tmax: 2-4 hours
- Onset: 30-60 minutes
- Duration: 6-12 hours
- Route: SC, IV
Safety and Side Effects
Hypoglycemia (most common), weight gain, injection site reactions, and lipodystrophy. Later onset and longer duration than analogs increase hypoglycemia risk between meals and overnight.
References
- Owens, D.R. (2011). Human insulin. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 50, 167-182.
- Home, P.D., et al. (1998). Insulin analogs versus regular insulin. Diabetes Care, 21, C1-C8.
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