What is Novolin R?

[kyleesmom]

I was reading other posts and came across the one talking about Novolin R. What is it, how is it different from regular insulin and why can you get it over the counter?

[KeltonsMom]

It is AKA Insulin Regular, It is a medium acting insulin. It takes 30-45 minutes to take affect..

Now why it is sold OTC, I am not sure but it is cheap!

[ccarrol4]

Novolin R= rogular insulin. I don't know why it's sold OTC, but when I lost insurance, it became a lifesaver. It's only $20/vial at Wal Mart :)

[wilf]

This is THE original insulin, known as "Regular", which was given to the world by Frederick Banting. It is not patent protected so no exorbitant fees can be charged on it.

It starts acting at around 30-45 minutes, peaks at 2-3 hours, and stays in the system 5 to 8 hours. The bigger dose, the later it starts acting and the longer it acts.

It is a "kinder, gentler" bolus insulin, which is less likely to cause lows. To dose properly, you need to give it at least 15 and better 30 minutes BEFORE the meal. It is ideal for covering slow digesting foods like cheesy pizzas. It is also known as the "party insulin" because it will allow several hours of happy grazing at parties.

[twodoor2]

Do you use the same or similar carb ratios for regular as you would for other fast actings?

[ccarrol4]

Do you use the same or similar carb ratios for regular as you would for other fast actings?

I've always used the same ratios for correcting and for carbs.

[ADHDiabetic Mom]

This is THE original insulin, known as "Regular", which was given to the world by Frederick Banting. It is not patent protected so no exorbitant fees can be charged on it.

It starts acting at around 30-45 minutes, peaks at 2-3 hours, and stays in the system 5 to 8 hours. The bigger dose, the later it starts acting and the longer it acts.

It is a "kinder, gentler" bolus insulin, which is less likely to cause lows. To dose properly, you need to give it at least 15 and better 30 minutes BEFORE the meal. It is ideal for covering slow digesting foods like cheesy pizzas. It is also known as the "party insulin" because it will allow several hours of happy grazing at parties.

This is SO good to know!! I did buy a bottle of it today at Sam's (as a back up after last night's disaster), and it was only $20!! YAY! :D

Please, please, please ... give us details on how to use it. Is the only difference that you have to take it sooner and it lasts longer? Do we use the same ratios?

I wish I had known about this before. There have been several times -- holidays, etc. -- where SD has wanted to "graze" on buffet spreads and has been frustrated with figuring his insulin. In fact, we're going to a big party tomorrow for his Grandpa's 75th birthday, so any details you can give us today will be welcome!

I LOVE this board!

[Mom2Deacon]

Where do you get a bottle without a prescription? Do you ask the pharmacy for it?

--Sara

[kyleesmom]

What kind of a shelf life does it have? Im wondering if this is something that would be good to keep out at my parents weekend house. Its out in the middle of nowhere, there are no hospitals or clinics within a 45 minute drive, for that matter, there isnt even a gas station or grocery store. We spend at least one weekend a month out there in the summer, as well as making day trips and we always take everything with us, but Im thinking this would be a great backup plan just in case something happened to her insulin pen. She does have an extra meter, syringes, pen needles and strips out there too, and if she also had insulin, we would be totally set.

[funnygrl]

Do you use the same or similar carb ratios for regular as you would for other fast actings?
I used the same carb ratios when I used it, but you have to pre-bolus by like 30-45 minutes.

It's actually got a fairly nice profile for high fat/protein meals.

[funnygrl]

Where do you get a bottle without a prescription? Do you ask the pharmacy for it?

--Sara
Yep. It's kept at the pharmacy. Any pharmacy will have it.

What kind of a shelf life does it have?

Technically 28 days once opened like any other insulin. I've used it past then.

[Amy C.]

Where do you get a bottle without a prescription? Do you ask the pharmacy for it?

--Sara

If your state allows the sale of Regular OTC, you ask the pharmacist for it. Keep in mind, not all states allow regular insulin to be sold over the counter.

Philip was on R for over a year when he was first diagnosed. Humalog wasn't prescribed for children -- or I didn't know to ask for it.

[WestinsMom]

I think it is a valid alternative if cost is an issue. I think it is very useful to share such info. Gotta love this forum :)

[Ashti]

We get all our insulins Over The Counter - which saves an awful lot not needing to pay pharmacy fees. The other upside is we get whatever D supply we want without having to get a prescription first:) (Haven't had to get new glucogon yet though). The down side is we pay for it ALL.:( But since I'm looking for upsides, we never argue or fight with insurance providers either.

But Regular (or Toronto as they call it here in Canada) is a treat on the pocket book.

DD is loaded up with it tonight being a Pizza, Cake, and Smart Food birthday party sleepover night :eek: (With a little NPH too, before the Levemir takes over for the night.)

Ashti

[redmcgee]

I had no idea you could buy insulin over the counter. This is so good to know (for just in case). I once dropped a bottle of lantus and it went everywhere, thank GOD its shelf life was about up and that I had an extra one. I wonder if you can do that in Indiana or Illinois????:confused:

[ADHDiabetic Mom]

I had no idea you could buy insulin over the counter. This is so good to know (for just in case). I once dropped a bottle of lantus and it went everywhere, thank GOD its shelf life was about up and that I had an extra one. I wonder if you can do that in Indiana or Illinois????:confused:

Well, you can't buy Lantus OTC. And I have yet to find it at any kind of significant discount at all. Even at Sam's it's still nearly $100 a bottle. I will be very glad when some of these pricey new insulins get old enough to go generic!!

[ccarrol4]

I had no idea you could buy insulin over the counter. This is so good to know (for just in case). I once dropped a bottle of lantus and it went everywhere, thank GOD its shelf life was about up and that I had an extra one. I wonder if you can do that in Indiana or Illinois????:confused:

You can't buy ALL types of insulin OTC. The only ones I know of that you can buy are Novolin and possibly humulin.

[funnygrl]

You can buy Novolin or Humulin R, N, or 70/30 OTC in most states. The rest of the insulins are "legend drugs."

[WestinsMom]

I will be very glad when some of these pricey new insulins get old enough to go generic!!


That's the thing, so far the FDA hasn't let them go generic. The pharm companies have stopped it so far.

[lilituc]

Here's a chart that says which states require presciptions, although I can't guarantee its accuracy (but it's been true for the states I've lived in recently):
http://members.tripod.com/diabetics_world/InsulinRx.html
Um, I just scroll past all the doomsday warnings about synthetic insulins since (obviously) I disagree.