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Overview: Insulin NPH/insulin regular is a combination of short- and long-acting insulin used to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It helps get sugar into your cells, so your body can use it for energy. The most common side effects are low blood sugar, weight gain, and pain, redness, itching or swelling at the injection site. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have severe or frequent low blood sugar or if you feel weak or unusually tired.

Uses

What is insulin NPH/insulin regular used for?

Insulin NPH/insulin regular is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Insulin NPH/insulin regular may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does insulin NPH/insulin regular work (mechanism of action)?

People with diabetes have trouble with high blood sugar levels. Insulin NPH/insulin regular helps your body use sugar (glucose). The medicine helps get sugar into your cells, so your body can use it for energy. It also stops your liver from making sugar.

How is insulin NPH/insulin regular supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Humulin 70/30
  • Humulin 70/30 Kwikpen
  • Novolin 70/30
  • Novolin 70/30 Kwikpen

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 units/mL vial
  • 100 units/mL pen-injector

How should I store insulin NPH/insulin regular?

Store in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze. Before opening the vials or pens, insulin NPH/insulin regular can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). If unopened and stored in the refrigerator, insulin NPH/insulin regular can be used up to the expiration date. Talk to your pharmacist about how long unopened vials or pens are good if stored at room temperature, how to store opened vials or pens, and how long you can use specific insulin NPH/insulin regular vials or pens once they have been opened.

Store KwikPens without the needle attached.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of insulin NPH/insulin regular?

The most common side effects of insulin NPH/insulin regular are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) (see below)
  • Allergic reactions (including itching and rash) (see below)
  • Pain, redness, itching or swelling at the injection site
  • Skin thickening or pits at the injection site (also called lipodystrophy)
  • Weight gain
  • Fluid retention, especially in the hands or feet (peripheral edema)

There may be other side effects of insulin NPH/insulin regular that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of insulin NPH/insulin regular?

While less common, the most serious side effects of insulin NPH/insulin regular are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Insulin NPH/insulin regular may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using insulin NPH/insulin regular and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Insulin NPH/insulin regular can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not use insulin NPH/insulin regular and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Medication Error. If you are using multiple insulin products, accidentally mixing them up and using the wrong insulin or the wrong dose can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Always check the label on your insulin products before using them to make sure you are using the correct insulin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia [see Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) above] from either insulin NPH/insulin regular or any other insulin product that you are using.

Low Potassium Levels (Hypokalemia). Insulin NPH/insulin regular can cause a low potassium level, which can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider may check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low potassium level.

  • Weakness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Constipation

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use insulin NPH/insulin regular?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use insulin NPH/insulin regular.

  • Insulin NPH
  • Insulin regular
  • Humulin 70/30
  • Novolin 70/30
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific insulin NPH/insulin regular products they stock.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Insulin NPH/insulin regular should not be used if you are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Using insulin NPH/insulin regular while your blood sugar is low can worsen your symptoms of low blood sugar. See the Side Effects section for more details.

What should I know about insulin NPH/insulin regular before using it?

Do not use insulin NPH/insulin regular unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed. This medicine is to be injected under the skin. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly prepare and use insulin NPH/insulin regular. If you have any questions, talk to your pharmacist or other healthcare provider.

Do not share insulin NPH/insulin regular with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Do not share needles or syringes with another person. Always use a new needle or syringe for each injection.

Keep insulin NPH/insulin regular out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Follow the “Instructions for Use” when using insulin NPH/insulin regular for the first time or when you have not used it in a while. Check the label on your insulin NPH/insulin regular each time you use it to make sure you are using the correct insulin.

Insulin NPH/insulin regular can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how insulin NPH/insulin regular affects you.

Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.

Some medicines may make it difficult to notice signs of low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.

Do not use the same exact spot for each insulin NPH/insulin regular injection. Do not inject where your skin is thickened, scarred, hard, or has pits or lumps. Do not inject into tender or bruised skin.

People who are 65 years or older can be at greater risk for low blood sugar from insulin NPH/insulin regular. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using insulin NPH/insulin regular?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if insulin NPH/insulin regular is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Insulin NPH/insulin regular may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using insulin NPH/insulin regular, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • No awareness of low blood sugar level
  • Kidney or liver problems 

Diet and Lifestyle Changes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any changes in your diet, level of physical activity, or illnesses. These may affect the amount of insulin NPH/insulin regular you need.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how insulin NPH/insulin regular could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use insulin NPH/insulin regular while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of harm to a mother and an unborn baby. Your healthcare provider will discuss the best way to control your blood sugar.

Breastfeeding. Insulin NPH/insulin regular passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use insulin NPH/insulin regular while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does insulin NPH/insulin regular interact with foods or drinks?

Insulin NPH/insulin regular has two types of insulin in it. It is important to use your dose of insulin NPH/insulin regular before meals because insulin regular starts to work pretty soon after you use it. This helps to lower your risk of having low blood sugar. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to time meals while using insulin NPH/insulin regular. 

Do not drink alcohol or use any medicines that have alcohol in them while using insulin NPH/insulin regular. Alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.  

Does insulin NPH/insulin regular interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using insulin NPH/insulin regular.

  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to reduce blood pressure
  • Clonidine (Catapres-TTS and others), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Pioglitazone (Actos), or any other medicine for diabetes

Many other medicines can increase your blood sugar, or can increase or decrease the impact insulin NPH/insulin regular has on your blood sugar. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while using insulin NPH/insulin regular. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely during these times.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with insulin NPH/insulin regular. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much insulin NPH/insulin regular?

If you or someone else has used too much insulin NPH/insulin regular, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of insulin NPH/insulin regular?

It is important to use your insulin NPH/insulin regular exactly as it is prescribed. Talk to your healthcare provider, ahead of time, about what you should do if you miss a dose of insulin. Do not use double or extra doses.