Novolin
® R (
regular insulin) is the standard basic form of
insulin used to treat
diabetes. It is available without a prescription. The drug is a short-acting insulin used to help control the spike in blood sugar that occurs after meals. It is typically used in combination with a long-acting insulin.
Novolin R is manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
Even though it is produced in a laboratory in special yeast organisms, Novolin R is identical to the insulin produced by the human body.
Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the
pancreas. This hormone is important for several functions, such as controlling blood sugar. Insulin helps the cells of your body remove glucose ("sugar") from your bloodstream. This sugar fuels your body's cells, giving them the energy they need to work properly. You may need to take insulin if your pancreas has trouble making insulin, which is the case in people with
type 1 diabetes and in some people who have
type 2 diabetes.
Novolin R is a short-acting insulin medication. It works more quickly than intermediate- or long-acting insulins, but less quickly than rapid-acting insulins. It is designed to help control the blood sugar spike that occurs after meals. It starts working relatively quickly, produces a peak in insulin levels, and then drops off relatively quickly. Most people who take Novolin R will also need a long-acting insulin as well, to provide a steady background level of insulin to help control blood sugar throughout the day.
