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Ultratard
Ultralente by Novo Nordisk
long-acting r-DNA/GE/GM
U100 Zinc
Line Novo
Also known as Novolin U
Similar to  
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 30 months
When opened 6 weeks
In pen N/A
Notes  
  • protect from light and heat
  • store at 2-8C
  • Do not use if product does not re-suspend
  • Roll


This is the name Novo Nordisk gave its Ultralente[1] insulin for the Euro market[2][3]; in North America when it was still produced, it was called Novolin U.

Eli Lilly also produced Ultralente insulins under two different names: Humulin U[4][5] and Humulin Zn[6][7].

It was a crystalline-suspended insulin[8] was a crystalline-suspended insulin. This is a long-acting insulin.

What Ultralente Is Not[]

No Lente-type insulin regardless of species can contain any NPH/isophane insulin[9] or any R/Neutral insulin[10][11].

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[12].

The zinc suspension of Lente-type insulin binds R/Neutral, causing the short-acting insulin to slow, losing its short-acting effect[13][14][15][16].

Combining Lente Family Insulins[]

Insulin manufacturers[17] 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[18][19][20][21].

None of the Lente family of insulins (semilente, Lente, Ultralente) can be combined with[22] 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[23].

Keeping the phenol preservatives in mind, all protamine-suspended insulin mixes would be "off limits" regarding same syringe mixing with any Lente-type insulins[24].

The Novo insulins, Novolin U and Ultratard, 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[]

Wikicat3

References[]

  1. Photo of Ultratard Insulin
  2. Prescribing Novo Insulins
  3. Diabetes UK Google Cached Page-Monotard/Ultratard Discontinuation July 2005
  4. Humulin U, etc.-Ultralente Human Insulins Remedyfind.com
  5. US-FDA Discontinuation Notice July 2005
  6. Diabetes UK Google Cached Page-Humulin Zn Discontinuation July 2004
  7. Lilly EU/UK Product Sheet & Time Activity Profiles
  8. EMEA Scientific Discussion-Ultratard
  9. Combining Lente-type Insulins with Phenol-Preserved Insulins
  10. Lente Zinc Suspension Causes Loss Of R/Neutral Short-Acting Effect
  11. Availability of Soluble (R/Neutral) Insulin in Mixed preparations of Crystalline (Lente) & Ultralente GE Insulins-Clinical Therapeutics-1991
  12. Lente-Type Insulins & NPH/Isophane Insulins-A Bad Combination
  13. Intermediate-Acting Insulin Preparations: NPH (Isophane) & Lente Diabetes Care-1980
    Note: in 1980 there was only beef Lente-type insulin-no pork or R-DNA/GE/GM Lente insulins
  14. Absorption Kinetics & Action Profiles-Single Subcutaneous Administration of Human Soluble (R/Neutral) & Lente Insulin-Diabetes Care-1987
  15. Delayed Onset of Action of Soluble (R/Neutral) Insulin After Premixing With Lente Insulin Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice-1983
  16. Resource Guide 2005-American Diabetes Association
  17. Insulin Producers vs Doctors Re:Combining R/Neutral & Lente-type Insulins
  18. Availability of Soluble (R/Neutral) Insulin in Mixed Preparations of Crystalline (Lente) & Ultralente GE Insulins-Clinical Therapeutics-1991
  19. Absorption Kinetics & Action Profiles-Single Subcutaneous Administration of Human Soluble (R/Neutral) & Lente Insulin-Diabetes Care-1987
  20. Delayed Onset of Action of Soluble (R/Neutral) Insulin After Premixing With Lente Insulin Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice-1983
  21. RxEd.org-Insulin Therapy-Mixing Precautions
  22. Phenol Preservatives & Lente-type Insulins--A Bad Combination
  23. RxEd.org-Insulin Therapy-Mixing Precautions
  24. RxEd.org-Insulin Therapy-Mixing Precautions
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