Dosage of NPH Insulin/Regular Insulin: An Introduction
The dose of NPH
insulin/
regular insulin (Humulin
® 70/30, Novolin
® 70/30) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your current dose of other insulins
- The carbohydrate content of your meals
- Your blood sugar goals (which can vary from person to person)
- Your blood sugar levels
- Other medications you are taking, including other diabetes medications
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
NPH Insulin/Regular Insulin Dosing Guidelines
There is no "standard" NPH insulin/regular insulin dose that will work for all people or even for the same person in all situations. Instead, dosing for this medication must be individualized for each person. NPH insulin/regular insulin is typically taken twice a day before meals (often about 30 minutes before eating).
In some situations, you and your healthcare provider may prefer "aggressive" insulin dosing, which may help reduce the risk of long-term
diabetes complications but increases the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Some people may need more relaxed insulin dosing, especially if they live alone (making it difficult to adequately respond to low blood sugar) or if they are elderly (in which case, the long-term consequences are less important).
Your healthcare provider may ask you to measure your blood sugar before and after meals, and may also recommend carbohydrate counting. Both of these things can help you and your healthcare provider know how to adjust your NPH insulin/regular insulin dose.
