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Human Insulin Injection

Human insulin injection is a replacement insulin used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Brand names Humulin 70/30Humulin NHumulin R U-500Humulin RMyxredlin +6 more
Drug class Insulin
OTC Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 5 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026
Human Insulin Injection at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Human insulin copies the body’s own insulin, lowering blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes by helping muscle and fat cells take in glucose and telling the liver to make less, and since about 1991 it has been the lower-cost alternative to newer insulins, with some forms sold without a prescription. Most people tolerate it well; besides low blood sugar, the usual complaints are weight gain and redness or itching where they inject. The one thing to watch for is low blood sugar, so learn the signs (shakiness, sweating, confusion) and keep juice or glucose tablets handy. Never share a pen or syringe, even with a new needle.

Clinical pearls

  • Inject about 30 minutes before a meal, and never inject and then skip or delay that meal.
  • Several strengths and mixes exist, including concentrated U-500, so check the label every time to avoid a dangerous mix-up.
  • Rotate sites across the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and upper arms to prevent dimpled or thickened skin that absorbs insulin unevenly.
  • Beta-blockers (heart and blood pressure drugs) and clonidine can hide low blood sugar warning signs, so test your sugar more often.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itOver the counter
Comes asInjection
Earliest FDA record1991
Companies listing it with the FDA2
FDA label last updatedNov 23, 2022
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Human Insulin Injection, written from its FDA label.

What Human Insulin Injection is used for

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Human insulin injection is used to improve blood sugar (glycemic) control in people with diabetes mellitus. Specific approvals depend on the product:

  • Novolin 70/30 is approved for adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus — it is a fixed mixture of intermediate-acting and short-acting human insulin and cannot be split into separate basal and mealtime doses

How Human Insulin Injection works

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Human insulin works by mimicking your body's own insulin. It signals muscles and fat tissue to absorb glucose from the blood, slows the liver's release of glucose, and helps your body use glucose for energy rather than breaking down fat or muscle. The combined effect is lower blood sugar. Insulin also supports protein building and prevents excess fat breakdown.

Human Insulin Injection dosage

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Novolin is injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) roughly 30 minutes before a meal. Your dose is individualized — your prescriber sets it based on your blood sugar readings, eating habits, activity level, and overall health. There is no one-size-fits-all schedule.

  • Inject into the abdomen, thigh, buttock, or upper arm — rotate sites each time
  • Novolin 70/30's fixed ratio means it cannot be adjusted separately for background or mealtime insulin needs
  • If your regimen, dose, or injection sites change, monitor your blood sugar more often and follow your prescriber's guidance

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Human Insulin Injection prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Subcutaneous injection
    • Inject subcutaneously approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of a meal into the abdominal area, buttocks, thigh, or the upper arm
    • Rotate injection sites within the same region from one injection to the next
    • Individualize and adjust the dosage based on route of administration, the individual's metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results and glyce
    • Dosage adjustments may be needed with changes in physical activity, changes in meal patterns, changes in renal or hepatic function or during acute illness
  • Intravenous administration
    • Administer intravenously ONLY under medical supervision with close monitoring of blood glucose and potassium levels
    • Dilute to concentrations from 0.05 unit/mL to 1 unit/mL insulin in infusion systems using polypropylene infusion bags
    • Intravenous infusion bags are stable at room temperature for 24 hours
  • Mixing with NOVOLIN N for subcutaneous injection
    • NOVOLIN R can be mixed with NOVOLIN N
    • NOVOLIN R should be drawn into the syringe first and the mixture should be injected immediately after mixing
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • See Full Prescribing Information for important administration instructions. ( 2.1 ) • Subcutaneous injection: inject subcutaneously 30 minutes before a meal into the abdominal area, buttocks, thigh or the upper arm. Rotate injection sites to reduce risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. ( 2.2 ) • Intravenous use: administer intravenously ONLY under medical supervision at concentrations from 0.05 unit/mL to 1 unit/mL in infusion systems using polypropylene infusion bags. ( 2.2 ) • Individualize dose based on route of administration, metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results and glycemic control goal. ( 2.3 ) • NOVOLIN R given by subcutaneous injection should generally be used in regimens with an intermediate- or long-acting insulin. ( 2.3 ) • Can be mixed with NOVOLIN N. ( 2.5 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Always check insulin labels before administration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. • Inspect NOVOLIN R visually before use. It should appear clear and colorless. Do not use NOVOLIN R if particulate matter or coloration is seen. • Use of NOVOLIN R in insulin pumps is not recommended because of the risk of precipitation. 2.2 Route of Administration Subcutaneous Administration • Inject NOVOLIN R subcutaneously approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of a meal into the abdominal area, buttocks, thigh, or the upper arm. • Rotate injection sites within the same region from one injection to the next to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Do not inject into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6 )]. Intravenous Administration • Administer NOVOLIN R intravenously ONLY under medical supervision with close monitoring of blood glucose and potassium levels to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 , 5.6 ) and How Supplied/Storage and Handling ( 16.2 )] . • Dilute NOVOLIN R to concentrations from 0.05 unit/mL to 1 unit/mL insulin in infusion systems using polypropylene infusion bags. NOVOLIN R is stable in infusion fluids such as 0.9% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose, or 10% dextrose with 40 mmol/L potassium chloride. Intravenous infusion bags are stable at room temperature for 24 hours.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Human Insulin Injection side effects

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The most common side effect of human insulin is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other reactions to be aware of include:

Common side effects

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) — the most common reaction
  • Redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site
  • Skin changes at injection sites (lipodystrophy — dimpling or thickening)
  • Weight gain
  • Swelling (edema), especially in the hands or feet
  • Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)
  • Temporary changes in vision when starting or intensifying insulin therapy
  • Redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site — usually clears up within days to weeks
  • Weight gain from insulin's anabolic (tissue-building) effects
  • Temporary blurry vision or eye changes when starting or intensifying treatment

When to get medical help

  • Severe low blood sugar — get help immediately if you have seizures, loss of consciousness, or cannot treat it yourself
  • Severe allergic reaction — seek emergency care for body-wide rash, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, or sweating
  • Dangerously low potassium (hypokalemia) — can cause irregular heartbeat or breathing problems
  • Signs of heart failure — sudden weight gain, swelling, or shortness of breath (especially if also taking a thiazolidinedione diabetes pill)
  • Call your doctor if your blood sugar is consistently too high or too low, or if you notice skin changes at injection sites

Severe low blood sugar, a serious drop in potassium, or a whole-body allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) require immediate medical attention.

Human Insulin Injection warnings and precautions

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  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the most serious and most common risk — it can cause seizures, unconsciousness, or death if untreated; know the signs and always carry a fast-acting carbohydrate
  • Patients with kidney disease, liver disease, or older adults are at higher risk of low blood sugar and need more frequent monitoring
  • Low potassium (hypokalemia) is a rare but life-threatening complication; tell your doctor if you take potassium-lowering medicines
  • A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is possible — stop the medication and get emergency help if you develop widespread rash, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, or a sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Thiazolidinedione diabetes pills used alongside insulin can cause fluid buildup and may worsen or trigger heart failure — report sudden swelling or shortness of breath to your doctor right away
  • Never share a Novolin pen, needle, or syringe with another person — sharing can spread serious blood-borne infections
  • Always check the insulin label before injecting — mix-ups between insulin products have caused dangerous errors

Human Insulin Injection interactions

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Several medications can meaningfully change how human insulin affects your blood sugar:

  • Increases low-blood-sugar risk: other diabetes drugs, ACE inhibitors, blood pressure medications (angiotensin receptor blockers), certain antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, fluoxetine), fibrates, salicylates (like aspirin in high doses), and octreotide
  • Reduces insulin's blood-sugar-lowering effect: corticosteroids, diuretics, estrogens, oral contraceptives, certain antipsychotics (olanzapine, clozapine), niacin, thyroid hormones, and growth hormone (somatropin)
  • Unpredictable effect (up or down): alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium
  • May mask low-blood-sugar warning signs: beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine — making it harder to notice when your blood sugar drops
  • TZD diabetes pills (thiazolidinediones) used with insulin can cause fluid retention and heart failure

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Human Insulin Injection prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics: May increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required.
  • Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens, protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), thyroid hormones: May decrease the blood glucose lowering effect of the insulin. Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required.
  • Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts: May increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect of the insulin. Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required.
  • Pentamidine: May cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia. Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required.
  • Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine (antiadrenergic drugs): May blunt signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia; signs and symptoms may be reduced or absent. Increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 1: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with NOVOLIN 70/30 Drugs that May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics Intervention: Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLIN 70/30 is co-administered with these drugs. Drugs that May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of NOVOLIN 70/30 Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention: Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLIN 70/30 is co-administered with these drugs. Drugs that May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of NOVOLIN 70/30 Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. Pentamidine may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia. Intervention: Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLIN 70/30 is co-administered with these drugs. Drugs that May Blunt Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine Intervention: Increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLIN 70/30 is co-administered with these drugs. • Drugs that Affect Glucose Metabolism: Adjustment of insulin dosage may be needed. ( 7 ) • Antiadrenergic Drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine): Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent. ( 5.3 , 7 )

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿259 supplements and herbs with documented Human Insulin Injection interactions, ranked by severity Check Human Insulin Injection against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Human Insulin Injection

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  • Do not use Novolin if your blood sugar is already low (hypoglycemia) — insulin will make it worse
  • Do not use Novolin if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients
  • Tell your prescriber about kidney or liver problems — both raise your risk of low blood sugar and may require dose changes
  • Older adults are at increased risk of hypoglycemia due to other health conditions — closer monitoring is recommended
  • Children can use Novolin, but doses must be tailored carefully with frequent blood sugar checks
  • Pregnancy: available studies do not show human insulin causes birth defects, but poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy poses real risks to mother and baby — work closely with your doctor
  • Breastfeeding: human insulin may pass into breast milk; discuss with your doctor whether to continue or adjust therapy

Human Insulin Injection overdose

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Too much insulin causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) — and if given intravenously, it can also dangerously lower potassium. Mild cases can be treated by eating or drinking fast-acting sugars. Severe cases involving seizures or unconsciousness may need glucagon injections or intravenous glucose under medical care. Low blood sugar can return even after you feel better, so monitoring and additional carbohydrates are often needed.

What Human Insulin Injection does in the body

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Human insulin's main job is lowering blood glucose. After a subcutaneous injection of Novolin R, the glucose-lowering effect begins around 30 minutes, peaks between 1.5 and 3.5 hours, and lasts about 8 hours. The exact timing can vary between people and even in the same person on different days — factors like injection site, blood flow, and body temperature all play a role. Novolin R has a slower onset and longer action than rapid-acting insulin analogs.

How your body processes Human Insulin Injection

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After a subcutaneous dose of Novolin R, insulin levels in the blood peak roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours after injection and return to baseline around 5 hours post-dose. The effects of age, sex, obesity, kidney disease, and liver disease on how the body handles Novolin R have not been formally studied, so closer monitoring is advised in those groups.

How to store Human Insulin Injection

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Dispense in the original sealed carton with the enclosed Instructions for Use. Do not freeze. store without a needle attached.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

259

Supplements & herbs that interact with Human Insulin Injection

259 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Human Insulin Injection in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 3
  • Moderate · 218
  • Minor · 38
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major CHELATION THERAPY PRODUCTS Major SIBERIAN COCKLEBUR Major ACAI Moderate AFRICAN WILD POTATO Moderate AGARICUS MUSHROOM Moderate AGMATINE Moderate AGRIMONY Moderate +251 more
Every supplement checked against Human Insulin Injection — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 3 major · 218 moderate · 38 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Human Insulin Injection against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

2

Nutrient depletion considerations

Human Insulin Injection has been associated with lower levels of 2 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

COENZYME Q10 Insignificant Depletion MAGNESIUM Insignificant Depletion
See the full Human Insulin Injection nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Human Insulin Injection: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Human Insulin Injection — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly is Novolin and why was I prescribed it?

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Novolin is a human insulin — it's identical to the insulin your body naturally makes. It's prescribed to help control your blood sugar when your body doesn't produce enough insulin on its own, or can't use it effectively. Novolin 70/30, for example, is a premixed combination of intermediate-acting and short-acting insulin, so it covers both your background insulin needs and the spike you get after meals — in one injection.

How do I take this injection, and does it matter when I eat?

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Yes, timing with meals matters. For subcutaneous use, you inject Novolin about 30 minutes before you start eating. You can inject into your abdomen, thigh, buttock, or upper arm — just make sure to rotate the exact spot you use each time. Injecting in the same place repeatedly can cause the skin to thicken or dimple, which affects how the insulin is absorbed.

What does low blood sugar feel like, and what should I do if it happens?

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Low blood sugar — hypoglycemia — can feel like shakiness, sweating, confusion, rapid heartbeat, or sudden hunger. It can come on quickly and may feel different each time. For mild episodes, eat or drink a fast-acting sugar like glucose tablets, juice, or regular soda right away. If someone loses consciousness or has a seizure, they need emergency medical care immediately. Always have something sugary on hand.

Are there any medications or foods I need to avoid while taking this insulin?

▾
Alcohol is worth being careful with — it can unpredictably raise or lower your blood sugar. Several medications can also interfere: some drugs like corticosteroids or certain antipsychotics can push your blood sugar higher and blunt insulin's effect, while other medicines like ACE inhibitors or some antidepressants can increase your risk of going low. Beta-blockers are particularly tricky because they can hide the early warning signs of low blood sugar. Always let your prescriber and pharmacist know everything you're taking.

Is it safe to use insulin if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

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Human insulin has been used during pregnancy for decades, and available studies haven't linked it to birth defects or miscarriage. That said, poorly controlled blood sugar during pregnancy does carry real risks for both you and your baby, so staying on top of your levels is important. Human insulin may pass into breast milk in small amounts, but no harmful effects in breastfed babies have been reported. Talk to your doctor — they'll help you weigh the benefits and make the safest plan for you and your baby.

Can I share my Novolin pen or needles with a family member who also uses insulin?

▾
No — never share your Novolin pen, needle, or syringe with anyone else, even a close family member, even if you change the needle. Sharing can spread serious blood-borne infections. Each person should have their own pen and supplies. Also, always double-check the label on your insulin before each injection — mix-ups between different insulin products do happen and can be dangerous.

Is Human Insulin Injection available over the counter?

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Yes. The Human Insulin Injection products listed with the FDA are sold over the counter, without a prescription (the injection form). Follow the package directions. Your pharmacist can tell you which product is right for you.

When was Human Insulin Injection first available?

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The earliest FDA record we hold for Human Insulin Injection is from 1991: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Human Insulin Injection was first used.

Who makes Human Insulin Injection?

▾
2 companies currently list Human Insulin Injection products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Novo Nordisk, A-S Medication Solutions. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Human Insulin Injection on HelloPharmacist

📊Human Insulin Injection supplement interactions259 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerHuman Insulin Injection vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Human Insulin Injection NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Human Insulin Injection Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Human Insulin Injection forms and strengths (how it comes)

Human Insulin Injection is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Injection

Under the skin
Brands Novolin
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Novolin 70/30 is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus
  • Novolin 70/30 contains a fixed mix of intermediate-acting and short-acting human insulin — the ratio cannot be separated for basal or mealtime adjustments
Important instructions
  • Novolin subcutaneous injection is given about 30 minutes before a meal into the abdomen, thigh, buttock, or upper arm
  • Rotate injection sites within the same body region each time to reduce the risk of skin changes
  • Do not inject into areas of skin thickening or dimpling (lipodystrophy)
  • Always inspect Novolin before use — it should look clear and colorless; do not use it if you see particles or discoloration
Available strengths 1 strength
100 [IU]/mL
17 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Human Insulin Injection on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Human Insulin Injection appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2 companies list 7 Human Insulin Injection product records with the FDA, mostly as injection; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1991. Brand names on the directory include Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R U-500 and 8 more; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
2
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
4
Brand names
7
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1991
Earliest FDA record ⓘ
Novo Nordisk86%
A-S Medication Solutions14%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Human Insulin Injection is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Human Insulin Injection is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Human Insulin Injection is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

414,373
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$131.7M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Human Insulin Injection prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Human Insulin Injection ranks #284 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 82% of them.

Where Human Insulin Injection ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #284 of 1,601
#279 Ciclopirox Topical 437,507 Rx #280 Diltiazem 435,096 Rx #281 Warfarin 433,961 Rx #282 Acetaminophen, Butalbi... 425,589 Rx #283 Varenicline 417,684 Rx #284 Human Insulin Injectio... 414,373 Rx #285 Loperamide 409,237 Rx #286 Tacrolimus Topical 408,485 Rx #287 Cyclosporine 403,927 Rx #288 Betamethasone 403,381 Rx #289 Betamethasone Topical 402,754 Rx

Utilization by Human Insulin Injection product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 100 units/mL injectable solution is the most-dispensed Human Insulin Injection product — about 86% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

insulin, regular, human 100 UNT/ML Injectable Solution Most dispensed

354,323 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 86% of Human Insulin Injection prescriptions shown $49.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $139 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 9 of 35 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 311034

3 ML insulin, regular, human 500 UNT/ML Pen Injector

39,539 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 10% of Human Insulin Injection prescriptions shown $64.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1,631 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1731315

3 ML insulin, regular, human 100 UNT/ML Pen Injector

9,349 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Human Insulin Injection prescriptions shown $838,369 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $90 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 4 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2206090

insulin, regular, human 500 UNT/ML Injectable Solution

8,963 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Human Insulin Injection prescriptions shown $17M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1,896 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 5 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 249220

100 ML insulin, regular, human 1 UNT/ML Injection

2,199 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Human Insulin Injection prescriptions shown $104,541 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $48 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2179744

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Human Insulin Injection, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 14 of 47 listed Human Insulin Injection NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Human Insulin Injection products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Human Insulin Injection — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Strength Route Manufacturer / Labeler Category ⓘ Details
💊Injection
100 [IU]/mL Subcutaneous A-S Medication Solutions BLA View NDC →
100 [IU]/mL Subcutaneous Novo Nordisk × 6 listings BLA View NDC →

Showing 7 of 7 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 7 Human Insulin Injection NDCs →

Human Insulin Injection recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Human Insulin recalls since July 2021.

✅No Human Insulin recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Human Insulin Injection RxCUI 253182 4 dose forms · 8 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Inhalation Powder RxCUI 2108525 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 4 UNT RxCUI 1543202 8 UNT RxCUI 1544488 12 UNT RxCUI 1654910
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 376915 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 100 UNT/ML RxCUI 311034 500 UNT/ML RxCUI 249220

Look up RxCUI 253182 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Human Insulin Injection costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Injection, Suspension · Subcutaneous 100 [IU]/mL $4.62 per mL NDC details & price history
Injection, Solution · Subcutaneous 100 [IU]/mL $4.62 per mL NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Human Insulin Injection brand names

Human Insulin Injection is sold under 11 brand names in the FDA directory — Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R U-500, Humulin R and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Humulin 70/30 Humulin N Humulin R U-500 Humulin R Myxredlin Novolin 70/30 Novolin N Novolin R Humulin 50/50 Afrezza Novolin

Who makes Human Insulin Injection: manufacturers and labelers

2 companies list Human Insulin Injection products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Novo Nordisk, A-S Medication Solutions. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Novo Nordisk 6 A-S Medication Solutions 1

Human Insulin Injection drug class (RxNorm)

Human Insulin Injection belongs to the Insulin class.

Pharmacologic class Insulin
Drug family (ATC) Insulins and analogues for injection, fast-acting, Insulins and analogues for injection, intermediate-acting, Insulins and analogues for injection, intermediate- or long-acting combined with fast-acting

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Human Insulin Injection page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Nov 23, 2022
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Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Human Insulin Injection.
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Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
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Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Human Insulin Injection after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
5
Finished products in the current FDA directory
7
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
2
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
2
Linked representative label ⓘ
Novo Nordisk
Linked label effective
Nov 23, 2022
Composite sections available
20
Linked SPL Set ID
aee7f1f3-612c-4027-8ce9-4fd1f41eed71
Linked SPL Document ID
46700b71-3f26-4aaa-8eb7-6ceeeb515c79
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Novo Nordisk is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →