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What Is Humulin R?

Humulin R is human insulin used to improve glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Humulin R U-100 contains 100 units per mL and is a short-acting insulin for subcutaneous or supervised intravenous use. Humulin R U-500 contains 500 units per mL and is reserved for patients who require more than 200 units of insulin per day.

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What Is Humulin R?

Humulin R is human insulin used to improve glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Humulin R U-100 contains 100 units per mL and is a short-acting insulin for subcutaneous or supervised intravenous use. Humulin R U-500 contains 500 units per mL and is reserved for patients who require more than 200 units of insulin per day.

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How Does Humulin R Lower Blood Glucose?

Human insulin lowers blood glucose by increasing glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat and by decreasing glucose production in the liver. It also reduces lipolysis and proteolysis and increases protein synthesis. U-100 and U-500 contain the same human insulin but differ greatly in concentration and dosing rules.

Who Is Treated With Humulin R?

Humulin R U-100 is used in adults and children with diabetes mellitus when regular human insulin is part of the treatment plan. Humulin R U-500 is used when total daily insulin requirements exceed 200 units. U-500 is not used intravenously and is not mixed with other insulins.

How Is Humulin R Dosed?

Humulin R U-100 dosing is individualized and subcutaneous doses are injected about 30 minutes before a meal. U-100 can also be given intravenously under medical supervision. Humulin R U-500 is injected subcutaneously two or three times daily about 30 minutes before meals, with dose titration based on glucose results and metabolic needs.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Humulin R?

Hypoglycemia is the most common serious insulin-related risk and can cause seizures, unconsciousness, or death. Other concerns include hypokalemia, severe hypersensitivity, medication errors, lipodystrophy, localized cutaneous amyloidosis, and fluid retention with thiazolidinediones. Concentration errors with U-500 can cause severe overdose and hypoglycemia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Humulin R

What type of insulin is Humulin R?

Humulin R is human insulin. U-100 is a short-acting formulation, while U-500 is a concentrated formulation for patients with very high daily insulin requirements.

When is Humulin R U-100 injected around meals?

Subcutaneous Humulin R U-100 is generally injected about 30 minutes before a meal.

Who uses Humulin R U-500?

Humulin R U-500 is indicated for adults and children with diabetes who require more than 200 units of insulin per day.

Can Humulin R U-500 be given intravenously?

No. Current labeling states that Humulin R U-500 is not administered intravenously.

References

DailyMed - HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, solution. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.

Human Insulin Injection. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682611.html. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.

HUMULIN R (insulin human) Prescribing Information. Eli Lilly and Company. https://pi.lilly.com/us/humulin-r-pi.pdf. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.

Insulin Human. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Insulin-human. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.

Regular Insulin. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553094/. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.