Insuman comb®

Active ingredient

Combination of human insulin and delayed release insulin (NPH insulin)

Mode of action

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the cells of the pancreas in healthy individuals. It is released when the blood sugar level rises, i.e. especially after a meal. Insulin then causes glucose to be absorbed by certain cells of the body, such as those of the muscles and fatty tissue.

Furthermore, it inhibits the supply of glucose from the body’s own reserves or through new synthesis (production), since in this situation enough sugar is supplied from outside and the energy production can be covered to a large extent. Therefore, insulin inhibits processes that are stimulated by the body for alternative energy production in case of sugar deficiency, for example the breakdown of proteins (e.g. from the muscles) and fat. In situations where there is enough glucose, insulin also increases the storage of sugar, protein and fat (glycogen, protein and lipid synthesis), which in turn can be used for energy production when the body does not receive an external supply of glucose, for example between meals.

Indications

Insulin plays a prominent role in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus. For people with type I diabetes, insulin is used from the beginning, for type II diabetes only during the course of the disease. Insulin comb® is one of numerous insulin preparations; it contains a combination of normal insulin and delayed-release insulin.

Normal insulin causes a relatively rapid onset of action, while delayed action insulin has the advantage of more than twice the duration of action compared to normal insulin. This is due to the fact that the insulin molecules are bound to a sparingly soluble substance (called NPH) which leads to a delayed insulin release. It takes about 30 minutes to take effect, so this insulin should be injected 15-30 minutes before a planned meal to ensure that it takes effect in time. The effect of this combined preparation lasts 14-20 hours, depending on the proportion of normal and delayed insulin. There are preparations with 15, 25 and 50% proportion of normal insulin and correspondingly 85, 75 and 50% proportion of NPH insulin (Insulin comb 15 ®, Insulin comb 25 ®, Insulin comb 50 ®).