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Find out the active ingredient and other brand names of your medicines with the NPS Medicine Name Finder
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Latest independent drug information about the Actrapid brand of medicine and treatments, written and reviewed by experts in Australia
Insulin is the active ingredient in the medicine brand Actrapid.
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| Title | Description | Type | Audience ![]() |
Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is commonly prescribed for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. It’s a hormone produced by the pancreas & is used to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Read more about the benefits & side effects of insulin. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Types & forms of insulin available in Australia - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is available in several different types & forms to treat diabetes. View our list of the types of insulin available in Australia. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Types & forms of insulin available in Australia - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is available in several different types and forms to treat diabetes.View our list of the types of insulin available in Australia. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Insulin - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is commonly prescribed for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. It’s an artificial version of the hormone produced by the pancreas & is used to control blood sugar (glucose) levels in place of your body's natural insulin. Read more about the benefits & side effects of insulin. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Another ultra-short-acting insulin PBS listed: insulin glulisine | Insulin glulisine (Apidra) is the third ultra-short-acting insulin analogue listed on the PBS, the others being insulin lispro and insulin aspart, for treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. | Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Health Professionals | 2007-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Managing diabetes with drugs and non-drug interventions | Educates patients with diabetes mellitus on medicines management and non-drug interventions. | Consumer publication - MedicinesTalk | Consumers | 2006-06-01 00:00:00 |
Most medicines have two names: the active ingredient name and the brand name. It’s important to be able to identify each of your medicines by the active ingredient as well as the brand name. Knowing the active ingredient name will help you avoid confusing your medicines.
There may be several brands that contain the same active ingredient. There may also be brands that contain multiple active ingredients. NPS aims to help people find information about their medicines easily, so brand information may be included, but not all brands may be listed. Reference to a brand does not mean NPS recommends one brand over another. If you are not sure about your medicine’s active ingredient(s), check the Medicines Name Finder, or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Below is information on medicines that contain the active ingredient insulin.
| Title | Description | Type | Audience ![]() |
Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines for type 2 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 2 diabetes may need medicines as well as dietary changes & physical activity to control their blood glucose levels. Treating diabetes with medicines helps relieve symptoms & reduces the risk of developing complications. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include urinating frequently, dehydration, drinking fluids excessively & weight loss. More serious symptoms are ketoacidosis & coma. Find out how to know if you have diabetes. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Insulin & the pancreas - Independent medicine & health information | Find out what insulin is & what it does, including how the pancreas helps to control blood glucose levels by producing insulin & how insulin resistance can occur. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| How often should I self-monitor my blood glucose in type 2 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | If you have type 2 diabetes, monitoring your blood glucose with a glucose monitor or meter is recommended for anyone on medicines that can cause low blood sugar or ‘hypos’ (hypoglycaemia), such as insulin or sulfonylureas. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| What is type 2 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t properly control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Read what happens in type 2 diabetes & about other types of diabetes. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| What causes type 2 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Type 2 diabetes is caused by both genetic & lifestyle factors. Read about how being overweight, having high blood pressure, doing little exercise & having a high fat, high sugar diet can increase the likelihood. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| What is gestational diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Gestational diabetes develops if a pregnant women’s pancreas can’t produce the extra insulin needed during pregnancy, causing above normal blood glucose (sugar). It is treated with diet & exercise, & may improve or disappear after the baby is born. Some women may need insulin injections. Read more. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Monitoring blood glucose during exercise in type 2 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | For people with type 2 diabetes on medicines, it’s important to monitor blood glucose during exercise to avoid low blood sugar or ‘hypos’ (hypoglycaemia). Read more. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Complications of type 2 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 2 diabetes may develop complications, especially if blood glucose isn’t controlled. Smoking, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or heavy alcohol intake may cause complications sooner. Common complications include eye conditions, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, nerve problems & feet problems. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Gliptins - Independent medicine & health information | Gliptins is the nickname given a group of medicines called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Sitagliptin, vildagliptin & saxagliptin control blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Find out more about the benefits & side effects of gliptins. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Insulin - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is commonly prescribed for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. It’s a hormone produced by the pancreas & is used to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Read more about the benefits & side effects of insulin. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| How do insulin pumps work? - Independent medicine & health information | People with unstable diabetes may need to use an insulin pump to control their blood sugar (glucose) levels. Find out more about insulin pumps & how they work. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Types & forms of insulin available in Australia - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is available in several different types & forms to treat diabetes. View our list of the types of insulin available in Australia. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Injecting insulin - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 2 diabetes may need to have insulin injections to control their blood sugar (glucose) levels. Insulin is a hormone produced in the body by the pancreas. Read more about insulin & how it is injected. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Monitoring blood glucose during exercise in type 1 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | For people with type 1 diabetes on medicines, it’s important to monitor blood glucose during exercise to avoid low blood sugar or ‘hypos’ (hypoglycaemia). Read more. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| How often should I self-monitor my blood glucose in type 1 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | When you have type 1 diabetes, you need to monitor your blood glucose with a glucose monitor or meter as the insulin used to control your diabetes can cause low blood sugar or ‘hypos’ (hypoglycaemia). How often you need to monitor depends on the type of insulin, your diet, level of exercise, age & other circumstances. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| How do insulin pumps work? - Independent medicine & health information | People with unstable diabetes may need to use an insulin pump to control their blood sugar (glucose) levels. Find out more about insulin pumps and how they work. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Injecting insulin - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 1 diabetes need to have insulin injections to control their blood sugar (glucose) levels. The insulin injected is an artificial version of the hormone produced by the pancreas. Read more about insulin & how it is injected. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Types & forms of insulin available in Australia - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is available in several different types and forms to treat diabetes.View our list of the types of insulin available in Australia. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Insulin - Independent medicine & health information | Insulin is commonly prescribed for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. It’s an artificial version of the hormone produced by the pancreas & is used to control blood sugar (glucose) levels in place of your body's natural insulin. Read more about the benefits & side effects of insulin. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Medicines for type 1 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 1 diabetes need medicines as well as dietary changes & physical activity to control their blood glucose levels. Medicines are needed to relieve symptoms & reduces the risk of developing complications. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Complications of type 1 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information | People with type 1 diabetes may develop complications, especially if blood glucose isn’t controlled. Smoking, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or heavy alcohol intake may cause complications sooner. Common complications include eye conditions, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, nerve problems & feet problems. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include urinating frequently, dehydration, drinking fluids excessively & weight loss. More serious symptoms are ketoacidosis & coma. Find out how to know if you have diabetes. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| What causes type 1 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune disease. It also usually runs in families. Find out more. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| About the pancreas - Independent medicine & health information | Find out how the pancreas helps to control blood glucose levels by producing insulin & how insulin resistance can occur. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| What is type 1 diabetes? - Independent medicine & health information | Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t properly control blood sugar (glucose) levels. Read what happens in type 1 diabetes & about other types of diabetes & learn about what insulin is & how it works. | Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
| Ketoacidosis - definitions written & reviewed by Australian experts | Ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes. It occurs when glucose (sugar) can’t be taken up into the body’s cells & used as an energy source. Read more. | Web page | Consumers | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
| Another ultra-short-acting insulin PBS listed: insulin glulisine | Insulin glulisine (Apidra) is the third ultra-short-acting insulin analogue listed on the PBS, the others being insulin lispro and insulin aspart, for treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. | Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Health Professionals | 2007-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Insulin glargine (Lantus) for type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus | Reviews use of insulin glargine for diabetes mellitus, including comparison with isophane insulin and risk of hypoglycemia. | Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Review | Health Professionals | 2006-12-01 00:00:00 |
| Type 2 diabetes — starting insulin | This leaflet gives you information on why it may be important to consider using insulin to treat your type 2 diabetes | Professional tool - Patient leaflet | Health Professionals,Consumers | 2008-04-03 00:00:00 |
| Type 2 diabetes - Managing hyperglycaemia | Reviews use of metformin and thiazolidinediones for type 2 diabetes, and provides simple guidelines for starting insulin. | Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2008-02-01 00:00:00 |
| Type 2 diabetes - Reducing risk in | Ways to prevent cardiovascular disease by preventing and managing type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes and treatment focused on metformin and insulin management. | Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2005-04-01 00:00:00 |
| NPS Prescribing Practice Review 29: Reducing risk in type 2 diabetes | Information on assessing/managing cardiovascular risk factors, blood glucose control, and initiating insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided. | Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2005-04-29 00:00:00 |
| NPS Prescribing Practice Review 29: Reducing risk in type 2 diabetes | Information on assessing/managing cardiovascular risk factors, blood glucose control, and initiating insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided. | Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2005-04-29 00:00:00 |
| Insulin and oral diabetes medicines | Examines early use of insulin and oral antidiabetic agents to manage hypergylcaemia among patients with type 2 diabetes. | Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2008-03-01 00:00:00 |
| Effect of NPS diabetes program on metformin and insulin utilisation in the Australian veteran population, Abstract NMS 2010 | Metformin and insulin use concurrent with oral hypoglycaemics in the Australian veteran population before and after an NPS intervention. Gadzhanova S, Roughead L, Mackson J. National Medicine Symposium, 26-28 May 2010, Melbourne, Australia | Event - Conference abstract | Health Professionals,Research & Evaluation community | 2010-05-28 00:00:00 |
| Video: Answers to your questions about insulin | As type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, after some time most people will need to use insulin in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to help to maintain their blood glucose levels. Watch this video to find out more about using insulin to manage type 2 diabetes. | Multimedia - Video | Consumers,Health Professionals | 2009-11-12 00:00:00 |
| Humalog Vials | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Humalog Vials (insulin lispro). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2011-04-20 00:00:00 |
| Humalog KiwkPens | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Humalog KiwkPens (insulin lispro). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2011-04-20 00:00:00 |
| Humalog cartridges | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Humalog cartridges (insulin lispro). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2011-04-20 00:00:00 |
| Addressing barriers and enablers to early insulin use in type 2 diabetes. Poster NMS 2008 | Early insulin use in type 2 diabetes is advocated by current international guidelines. A barriers and enablers analysis is used here to develop improved educational interventions. Elliott J, Koo M, Slaytor E, Mackson J. National Medicines Symposium, 14-16 May 2008, Canberra, Australia. | Event - Conference poster | Health Professionals,Research & Evaluation community | 2008-05-16 00:00:00 |
| Lantus | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Lantus (insulin glargine). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2010-11-24 00:00:00 |
| Apidra | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Apidra (insulin glulisine). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2010-08-26 00:00:00 |
| Humulin Vials | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Humulin Vials (biosynthetic human insulin [rbe]). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2011-04-20 00:00:00 |
| Humulin Cartridges | Consumer information from the manufacturer about the use of Humulin Cartridges (biosynthetic human insulin [rbe]). | Consumer publication - Consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) | Consumers | 2011-04-20 00:00:00 |
Information on this website is published by NPS — an independent, evidence based, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
NPS develops its information under the guidance of experts in their field, editorial panels, expert reviewers and consumers. Find out more about how we develop our content.
Date published: 2010-12-17 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.