Novolin U

Novolin U
Ultralente by Novo Nordisk
long-acting	r-DNA/GE/GM
U100	Zinc
Line	Novolin
Also known as	Ultratard
Similar to	Humulin U, Humulin Zn
Action in cats	onset Xh, peak Xh duration: Xh
Action in dogs	onset 1-8h, peak 4-16h, duration 8-28h
Use and Handling
Type	cloudy
Shelf Life	24 months
When opened	28 days
In pen	N/A
Notes	protect from light and heat store at 2-8C Do not use if product does not re-suspend Roll Do not use intravenously

The name for Novo Nordisk's Ultralente insulin sold in North America. It was a U100, lente-type, long-acting insulin, now discontinued.

Novo's Euro name for the same insulin was Ultratard. Both were crystalline-suspended insulins were crystalline-suspended insulins.

It is comparable to Humulin U and Humulin Zn.

What Ultralente Is Not

No Lente-type insulin regardless of species can contain any NPH/isophane insulin or any R/Neutral insulin.

Both are chemically impossible: the phenol preservative present in NPH/isophane alters the action of Lente-type insulins, creating a mixture with an approximate action of R/Neutral.

The zinc suspension of Lente-type insulin binds R/Neutral, causing the short-acting insulin to slow, losing its short-acting effect.

Combining Lente Family Insulins

Insulin manufacturers indicate that R/neutral and semilente, Lente, ultralente insulins are able to be combined in the same syringe, but only just before injection. In pre-filled syringes, the zinc suspension of the Lente-type insulins binds the R/neutral, causing it to lose its short-acting effect. Various studies have documented this, and some doctors advise against using R/neutral in the same syringe with the Lente family of insulins.

None of the Lente family of insulins (semilente, Lente, Ultralente) can be combined with NPH/isophane insulins. The phenol preservatives present in NPH-type insulins alters the Lente-types to the point where they become a close approximation of R/neutral, with regard to action. Keeping the phenol preservatives in mind, all protamine-suspended insulin mixes would be "off limits" regarding same syringe mixing with any Lente-type insulins.

The Novo insulins,Ultratard and Monotard, were available slightly longer in Europe.

From the announcement: Monotard and Ultratard will not be available in the UK after February 2006. The discontinuation of these insulins was initially announced in September 2004. Initially the discontinuation was scheduled for February 2006, however this date has now been brought forward to October 2005.

See also Substitutes_for_Humulin_U_and_L.

Further Reading

• Comparison of 2 Ultralente Insulin Preparations with Protamine Zinc Insulin in Normal Cats-American Journal of Veterinary Research-1994