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Context, anatomy, and key evidence

← Peptide library

metabolic hormone

Insulin

Published evidence · coverage incomplete
Anatomical contextAnatomy connections are not mapped yet.

No body region is highlighted until this profile has a supported anatomical connection. This does not mean the peptide has no biological effects.

Read published mechanism findings ↓

At a glance

What is it—and why does it matter?

Approved insulin regular is structurally identical to native human insulin. Insulin reduces blood glucose by promoting peripheral glucose uptake (notably in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue) and suppressing hepatic glucose production. In the described clinical phenotype of PCOS, insulin resistance is listed as a defining feature, indicating impaired insulin-mediated metabolic regulation in this disorder. Across insulin therapies, including HUMULIN R, hypoglycemia is identified as the most common adverse reaction.

Sources for this introduction: [1] [2] [3] [4]

This published profile is a reference in progress. Findings retain their source context; missing topics are marked below.

What is it?

A molecule, not a product name.

Identity

Active insulin consists of two peptide chains (A and B) connected by two disulphide bonds, forming a heterodimeric structure.

Sources[2]iuphar-commentsIUPHAR ligand commentaryThe biologically active peptide is a heterodimer of an A chain and a B chain linked by two disulphide bonds.
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “The biologically active peptide is a heterodimer of an A chain and a B chain linked by two disulphide bonds.”

    IUPHAR ligand commentary · General comments

    iuphar-comments:5012:946c5bb3cf83:946c5bb3cf83

Identity

The concentration of insulin human in HUMULIN R is 100 units per milliliter.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982HUMULIN R contains 100 units of insulin human in each milliliter.
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “HUMULIN R contains 100 units of insulin human in each milliliter.”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 11 DESCRIPTION

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Identity

Approved insulin regular is structurally identical to native human insulin.

Sources[2]iuphar-commentsIUPHAR ligand commentaryThe structure of approved drug insulin regular (which the link to DrugBank outlines) is identical to native human insulin.
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “The structure of approved drug insulin regular (which the link to DrugBank outlines) is identical to native human insulin.”

    IUPHAR ligand commentary · General comments

    iuphar-comments:5012:946c5bb3cf83:946c5bb3cf83

How does it work?

Target, response, and disposition.

Mechanism

Insulin reduces blood glucose by promoting peripheral glucose uptake (notably in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue) and suppressing hepatic glucose production.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production.
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Insulin lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production.”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 12.1 Mechanism of Action

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

What has been studied?

What the evidence says.

Study findings

Insulin (HUMULIN R) is indicated for improving glycemic control in both adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982HUMULIN R is indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus.
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “HUMULIN R is indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus.”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Study findings

In the described clinical phenotype of PCOS, insulin resistance is listed as a defining feature, indicating impaired insulin-mediated metabolic regulation in this disorder.

Sources[3]pubmedHarnessing natural herbaceous plants against ferroptosis: Implications for managing polycystic ovary syndrome.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance.
Source records
1
Independent studies
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance.”

    Harnessing natural herbaceous plants against ferroptosis: Implications for managing polycystic ovary syndrome. · ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

    pubmed:42365862:b8e326b70967:b8e326b70967

Risks and interactions

Risks, organized for scanning.

Contraindications

HUMULIN R is contraindicated when a patient is experiencing hypoglycemia.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982HUMULIN R is contraindicated:during episodes of hypoglycemia
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “HUMULIN R is contraindicated:during episodes of hypoglycemia”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Interactions

For subcutaneous mixing, HUMULIN R should not be combined with insulin preparations other than HUMULIN N.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982Do not mix HUMULIN R with insulin preparations other than HUMULIN N.
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Do not mix HUMULIN R with insulin preparations other than HUMULIN N.”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 2.5 Instructions for Mixing with Other Insulins for Subcutaneous Injection

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Safety findings

Across insulin therapies, including HUMULIN R, hypoglycemia is identified as the most common adverse reaction.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of all insulins, including HUMULIN R.
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of all insulins, including HUMULIN R.”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 5.3 Hypoglycemia

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Products and regulatory status

Same ingredient. Different records.

This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.

Administration context

The practical clinical context.

Administration

For subcutaneous administration, HUMULIN R should be injected approximately 30 minutes before meals, with allowable injection sites including thigh, upper arm, abdomen, or buttocks.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982Inject HUMULIN R subcutaneously approximately 30 minutes before meals into the thigh, upper arm, abdomen, or buttocks.
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Inject HUMULIN R subcutaneously approximately 30 minutes before meals into the thigh, upper arm, abdomen, or buttocks.”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · Untitled section

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Dose records

HUMULIN R is supplied as a 100 units/mL (U-100) clear, colorless injection solution in 10 mL and 3 mL multiple-dose vials.

Sources[1]dailymedThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982Injection: 100 units/mL (U-100), clear and colorless solution available as:10 mL multiple-dose vial3 mL multiple-dose vial
Source records
1
Regulatory records
1

Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.

Exact passages, locators, and provenance
  1. supports · Source-backed record
    “Injection: 100 units/mL (U-100), clear and colorless solution available as:10 mL multiple-dose vial3 mL multiple-dose vial”

    These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 · 3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

    dailymed:b519bd83-038c-4ec5-a231-a51ec5cc291f:0a50101eb8fe:0a50101eb8fe

Research status + gaps

What still needs better answers?

  • No publishable claim yet for: regulatory
  • 37 compiled claim(s) withheld by automated assurance: assurance_score_below_0.58 (30), assurance_score_below_0.72 (7), current_regulatory_source_required (6), extraction_ambiguity (27), high_risk_requires_regulatory_or_two_independent_sources (7), no_direct_support (35)

These are the limits of this profile, not an exhaustive list of scientific uncertainties.

References + discovery

Open the records yourself.

  1. These highlights do not include all the information needed to use HUMULIN R safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for HUMULIN R.HUMULIN R (insulin human) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous useInitial U.S. Approval: 1982 ↗

    dailymed · published 2025-05-27 · retrieved 2026-09-04T19:34:03Z

  2. IUPHAR ligand commentary ↗

    iuphar-comments · published 2026-08-27 · retrieved 2026-08-27T11:48:55Z

  3. Harnessing natural herbaceous plants against ferroptosis: Implications for managing polycystic ovary syndrome. ↗

    pubmed · published 2027-01-10 · retrieved 2026-08-27T11:48:55Z

Publication history and provenance

Version 4 · Automated assessment · 2026-09-04T19:34:03Z

675aec46170cba19289adb1af64ca591a40ad4ede493c0186a9b141369fc3c91