Mixtard

Mixtard is available as vials, cartridges (Penfill) or pre-filled pens (InnoLet or FlexPen). Mixtard contains both fast-acting (soluble) and long-acting (isophane) insulin:

- Mixtard 30: soluble insulin 30% and isophane insulin 70%;

- Mixtard 40: soluble insulin 40% and isophane insulin 60%;

- Mixtard 50: soluble insulin 50% and isophane insulin 50%.

Mixtard is used in patients with 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. Mixtard is a replacement insulin which is very similar to the insulin made by the pancreas.

The active substance in Mixtard, human insulin, is produced by a method known as ‘recombinant technology’: the insulin is made by a yeast cells into which a gene (DNA) has been introduced, which makes them able to produce insulin. Mixtard contains insulin in two forms: a soluble form, which acts quickly (within 30 minutes of injection) and an ‘isophane’, form which is absorbed much more slowly during the day. This gives Mixtard 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.

Mixtard led to a decrease in the level of HbA1c, indicating that blood glucose levels had been controlled to a similar level to that seen with other human insulin. Mixtard was effective for both type-1 and type-2 diabetes.

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