Insulatard

Insulatard is available as vials, cartridges (Penfill), or pre-filled pens (InnoLet or FlexPen). Insulatard is used to treat diabetes. The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin to control the blood glucose or when the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Insulatard is a replacement insulin which is very similar to the insulin made by the pancreas. The active substance in Insulatard, human insulin, is produced by a method known as ‘recombinant technology’: the insulin is made by yeast cells into which a gene (DNA) has been introduced, which makes them able to produce insulin.

Insulatard contains insulin mixed with another substance, protamine, in an ‘isophane’ form which is absorbed much more slowly during the day. This gives Insulatard a longer duration of action. The replacement insulin acts in same way as naturally produced insulin and helps glucose enter cells from the blood. By controlling the blood glucose, the symptoms and complications of diabetes are reduced.

The CHMP decided that Insulatard’s benefits are greater than its risks and recommended that it be given marketing authorisation.