Explanation/Definition
Actraphane® is a mixed insulin preparation. This means that it contains both short- and long-acting insulins. The short-acting normal insulin develops its blood-sugar-lowering effect after only half an hour, while the effect of the slow-acting delay insulin is maintained for up to 24 hours.
Trade names
Actraphane® 30/-50, Penfill 100 I. U. /ml, injection suspension in a cartridge, manufacturer: Novo Nordisk Actraphane® 30 FlexPen, 100 I. U. /ml injection suspension in a finished pen, manufacturer: Novo Nordisk Actraphane® 30 InnoLet, 100 I. U.
/ml, injection suspension in a finished pen, manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
- Actraphane® 30/-50, Penfill 100 I. U. /ml, injection suspension in a cartridge, manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
- Actraphane® 30 FlexPen, 100 I. U. /ml injection suspension in a ready-to-use pen, manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
- Actraphane® 30 InnoLet, 100 I. U. /ml, injection suspension in a finished pen, manufacturer Novo Nordisk
Application areas
Actraphane® is used in the therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This includes diabetes mellitus type I (absolute insulin deficiency) as well as advanced stages of diabetes mellitus type II (relative insulin deficiency).
Mode of operation
Just like insulin produced by the pancreas, the insulins contained in Actraphane® bind to receptors in fat and muscle cells and thus enable the absorption of the sugar glucose into cells. The cell needs the glucose to cover its energy requirements and to provide energy for other tissues. Normal insulin takes effect after only half an hour and shows its maximum effect after about two hours.
However, it is completely broken down after six hours. Delayed insulin, on the other hand, lasts for twelve hours. It takes two hours to take effect, the maximum effect even occurs after four to six hours, but it can still be detected for 24 hours.
Actraphane® as mixed insulin uses the advantages of both insulin variants. It takes effect after half an hour, reaches its maximum effect after two to eight hours and has an effect duration of up to 24 hours. This allows the patient to take the insulin easily according to a fixed injection schedule and a reduced number of injections, e.g. taking it twice a day, before breakfast and before dinner. The disadvantage, however, is that this injection scheme assumes regular meals with about the same amount of carbohydrates. If this is not the case, there is a risk of falling into a state of hypoglycaemia or developing too high blood sugar levels during larger meals.
Method of application
Actraphane® is usually taken according to a rigid injection schedule two to three times a day. For this it is injected subcutaneously (under the skin). Actraphane® is supplied either in vials from which it is drawn up with insulin syringes before use or as a finished pen, an injection pen on which the dosage can be set. – Abdominal wall
- Buttocks
- Front thigh
