Premixed Insulin: What 70/30 and 75/25 Mean | Dose Track
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Premixed insulin

Also called mix insulin, 70/30 insulin, 75/25 insulin, biphasic insulin · Reviewed

Definition: Premixed insulin is one product holding two insulins in fixed amounts: a slower, intermediate-acting part and a faster part. The numbers in the name give the split, so Novolin 70/30 is 70% NPH and 30% regular insulin. NIDDK says premixed insulin starts in 15 to 60 minutes and can last 10 to 16 hours.

Products and what the numbers mean

Premixed insulins and when their labels give them
ProductSlower part / faster partTiming on the label
Novolin 70/3070% NPH / 30% regular insulinAbout 30 minutes before a meal, typically twice daily
Humalog Mix75/2575% lispro protamine / 25% lisproWithin 15 minutes before a meal, typically twice daily
Humalog Mix50/5050% lispro protamine / 50% lisproWithin 15 minutes before a meal, typically twice daily
NovoLog Mix 70/3070% aspart protamine / 30% aspartWithin 15 minutes before starting a meal, typically twice daily

The labels say each twice-daily dose is meant to cover 2 meals, or a meal and a snack.

What the labels say about fixed amounts

The labels say the fixed proportions do not allow separate changes to the slow and fast parts. Premixed insulins are never mixed with other insulins, given into a vein or used in a pump. Because they are suspensions, they are mixed before each dose: the Novolin 70/30 label says to roll a vial gently 10 times, or move a FlexPen up and down 20 times.

Low blood sugar is the most common reaction. In the NovoLog Mix 70/30 label's 3-month trial, it affected 69% of people with type 1 diabetes and 47% with type 2.

Why it matters for your log

A dose of 70/30 is one number but two insulins. Logging the product name with the units keeps the record clear if the plan later splits into separate basal and mealtime insulins.

Read more on Dose Track: Novolin 70/30 side effects · Humalog Mix75/25 side effects · NovoLog Mix 70/30 side effects · How to store Humalog Mix75/25

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
Intermediate-acting insulinIntermediate-acting insulin , also called NPH or isophane insulin, is human insulin bound to protamine so… Regular insulinRegular insulin is short-acting human insulin, the R in Humulin R and Novolin R. NIDDK lists its onset at… Rapid-acting insulinRapid-acting insulin is a mealtime insulin that starts working quickly and wears off within hours. NIDDK… Fixed-dose combinationA fixed-dose combination is one tablet that holds two drugs at set strengths. Janumet (sitagliptin and… HypoglycemiaHypoglycemia means low blood glucose (blood sugar). MedlinePlus says that for many people with diabetes…

Frequently asked questions

What does 70/30 mean on insulin?+
It means 70% of the insulin is the slower, intermediate-acting kind and 30% is the faster kind. In Novolin 70/30 those are NPH and regular insulin.
Can premixed insulin be used in a pump?+
No. The labels say premixed insulins are not used in an insulin pump, not given into a vein and not mixed with other insulins.

Sources

  1. NIDDK (NIH): Insulin, medicines and other diabetes treatments
  2. Novolin 70/30 (insulin isophane human and insulin human) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  3. Humalog Mix75/25 (insulin lispro protamine and insulin lispro) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  4. NovoLog Mix 70/30 (insulin aspart protamine and insulin aspart) US prescribing information, DailyMed

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