Generic name: insulin isophane and insulin regular [ IN-su-lin-EYE-soe-fane-and-IN-su-lin-REG-ue-lar ]
Drug class: Insulin

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 12, 2024.

What is Humulin 70/30?

Humulin 70/30 contains a combination of insulin isophane and insulin regular. Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin isophane is a intermediate-acting insulin. Insulin regular is an short-acting insulin. This combination insulin starts to work within 10 to 20 minutes after injection, peaks in 2 hours, and keeps working for up to 24 hours.

Humulin 70/30 is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with diabetes mellitus.

Humulin 70/30 may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Do not use Humulin 70/30 if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of Humulin 70/30. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin, irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating. Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.

Never share an injection pen or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Humulin 70/30 if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Humulin 70/30 is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• congestive heart failure or other heart problems;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using Humulin 70/30 if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

How should I take Humulin 70/30?

Use Humulin 70/30 exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Insulin is injected under the skin. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Humulin 70/30 must not be given with an insulin pump, or mixed with other insulins. Do not inject Humulin 70/30 into a vein or a muscle.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject Humulin 70/30. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Do not inject this medicine into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.

After using Humulin 70/30, you should eat a meal within 30 to 45 minutes.

If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with Humulin 70/30. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe.

Never share a Humulin 70/30 injection pen or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle or syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your insulin dose or schedule.

Insulin is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep Humulin 70/30 in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) Humulin 70/30:

• Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or

• Store at room temperature, and use the vial within 31 days or use the injection pen within 10 days.

Storing opened (in use) Humulin 70/30:

• Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use within 31 days.

• Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 10 days. Do not store the injection pen with a needle attached.

Humulin 70/30 should look cloudy after mixing. Do not use the mixture if it looks clear or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wear a diabetes medical alert tag in case of emergency. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have diabetes.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Humulin 70/30 is used with a meal, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use this insulin, be sure to eat a meal within 45 minutes. Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose.

Keep insulin on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.

What to avoid

Insulin can cause low blood sugar. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Avoid medication errors by always checking the medicine label before injecting your insulin.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause low blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Humulin 70/30 side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of insulin allergy to Humulin 70/30: redness or swelling where an injection was given, itchy skin rash over the entire body, trouble breathing, wheezing, rapid pulse, sweating, feeling like you might pass out, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fluid retention - weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling short of breath; or

• low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common Humulin 70/30 side effects may include:

• low blood sugar;

• itching, mild skin rash; or

• thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

What other drugs will affect Humulin 70/30?

Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Humulin 70/30 only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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