Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Insulin (medication)
open-in-new
<p>As a <a href="/facts/Medication/h9mhwWP2">medication</a>, insulin is any <a href="/facts/Pharmaceutical/h9mhwWP2">pharmaceutical</a> preparation of the protein hormone <a href="/facts/Insulin/oXG0myt1">insulin</a> that is used to treat <a href="/facts/High_blood_glucose/HM8eNqfX">high blood glucose</a>. Such conditions include <a href="/facts/Type_1_diabetes/IkuQadGx">type 1 diabetes</a>, <a href="/facts/Type_2_diabetes/zCMXksmt">type 2 diabetes</a>, <a href="/facts/Gestational_diabetes/1Nn5kF5G">gestational diabetes</a>, and complications of <a href="/facts/Diabetes/2xeHXbsI">diabetes</a> such as <a href="/facts/Diabetic_ketoacidosis/QhhbSbeM">diabetic ketoacidosis</a> and <a href="/facts/Hyperosmolar_hyperglycemic_states/5KlIYTXc">hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states</a>. Insulin is also used along with <a href="/facts/Glucose/oUSkoLCD">glucose</a> to treat <a href="/facts/Hyperkalemia/epfvUg5w">hyperkalemia</a> (high blood potassium levels). Typically it is given by <a href="/facts/Injection_under_the_skin/L4srK61u">injection under the skin</a>, but some forms may also be used by <a href="/facts/Injection_into_a_vein/AwwuD3Nu">injection into a vein</a> or <a href="/facts/Injection_into_a_muscle/PPNwW2wB">muscle</a>. There are various types of insulin, suitable for various time spans. The types are often all called <i>insulin</i> in the broad <a href="/facts/Word_sense/9IR1286V">sense</a>, although in a more precise sense, insulin is identical to the naturally occurring molecule whereas <a href="/facts/Insulin_analog/wL2evJDF">insulin analogues</a> have slightly different molecules that allow for modified time of action. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. In 2022, it was the 192nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions. </p><p>Insulin can be made from the <a href="/facts/Pancreas/r0WPGjAq">pancreas</a> of pigs or cows. Human versions can be made either by modifying pig versions, or <a href="/facts/Recombinant_technology/dT3PL7M6">recombinant technology</a> using mainly <i><a href="/facts/E._coli/nR4Gvl56">E. coli</a></i> or <a href="/facts/Saccharomyces_cerevisiae/sX9MGFrz"><i>Saccharomyces</i> <i>cerevisiae</i></a>. It comes in three main types: short–acting (such as <a href="/facts/Regular_insulin/4q19Gduu">regular insulin</a>), intermediate-acting (such as <a href="/facts/NPH_insulin/3TY5zTJn">neutral protamine Hagedorn</a> (NPH) insulin), and longer-acting (such as <a href="/facts/Insulin_glargine/NSbBH0V0">insulin glargine</a>). </p>