Consumer Guide to Insulin

Intermediate and long-acting insulins

Onset approx 30 minutes to one hour after injection. Duration of action around 18 - 24 hours. These are described as basal insulins and are designed to work “quietly” all day.

Marketing Name Insulin Type Presentation Appearance Manufacturer Subsidised? Pharmaceutical Name
Humulin NPH (formerly Humulin N)Picture of Humulin N insulin Human 3ml cartridge, 10ml vial Cloudy suspension Eli Lilly Yes Insulin Isophane
Protaphane Penfill Human 3ml cartridge Cloudy suspension Novo Nordisk Yes Insulin Isophane
Protaphane Human 10ml vial Cloudy suspension Novo Nordisk Yes Insulin Isophane
LantusPicture of Lantus insulin 3ml cartridge, 10ml vial Clear Sanofi Aventis Fully funded from 1 July 2006. Subject to Special Authority1 Insulin Glargine
Lantus Solo Star Human Disposable, Pen 3ml
 Clear Sanofi Aventis Fully funded from 1 July 2006. Subject to Special Authority1 Insulin Glargine
LevemirPicture of Levemir insulin Disposable Pen Clear Novo Nordisk Not subsidised. Prices will differ. Minimum cost is $169.50 for a box of five 3ml disposable pens Insulin Detemir

View information about other insulins:

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  1. Special Authority is an application process in which a prescriber requires approval from PHARMAC to be able to prescribe for a particular person. ↩

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