September 5, 1999
Insulin
Question from Liverpool, England:
Please supply details of side effects and adverse reactions to human insulin versus animal insulin.
Answer:
I know of no peer reviewed double blind controlled study that has demonstrated a higher incidence of complications with human as opposed to animal insulin. In our own clinic experience we have not seen any increased incidence of hypoglycemia and there has been a definite reduction in the incidence of local lipodystrophies and of necrobiosis. Conventional semisynthetic human insulin moreover has now been to a significant degree replaced by the substituted insulin lispro [Humalog® brand], which has properties that are important to meticulous control and which are not available in pork insulin. The same is true in respect of Glargine, another substituted insulin, in relation to NPH.
DOB