Taking Humulin 50/50 During Pregnancy: An Overview
Humulin
® 50/50 (NPH
insulin/
regular insulin), like many
types of insulin, is generally considered safe for pregnant women. It has been around long enough for healthcare providers to have plenty of experience with the use of this medication during pregnancy.
As of July 2009, Eli Lilly and Company has decided to stop producing Humulin 50/50 due to low product demand. It is estimated that current supplies of the medication may last until April 2010. If you are currently taking Humulin 50/50, your healthcare provider will need to switch you to one of the other types of insulin.
The U.
S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B is given to medicines that have not been adequately studied in pregnant humans, but do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Most healthcare providers are comfortable recommending pregnancy category B medications to pregnant women.
Although it was originally thought that insulin molecules are too large to cross the placenta, it is now known that some insulins, in some circumstances, may cross the placenta. In general, most healthcare providers consider Humulin 50/50 safe for use during pregnancy. It is very important for
pregnant women with diabetes (including
gestational diabetes) to control their blood sugar levels, and Humulin 50/50 can be useful to help keep blood sugar levels under control.
When using insulin, the most significant risk to a pregnant woman (or to anyone, for that matter) is the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels, known medically as hypoglycemia. Make sure to check your blood sugar often, and be sure you know exactly what to do if you experience low blood sugar levels.
