Humulin 30/70 Insulin Cartridges

Humulin 30/70 Cartridges contain a premixed human insulin used to help manage blood glucose in diabetes. This page summarizes how the mix works, what cartridge use typically involves, and what to know about storage and safety. It also explains access steps through a cash-pay pathway for people without insurance.

What Humulin 30/70 Cartridges Are and How They Work

This product is a pre-mixed insulin combining two components with different action profiles: regular insulin and isophane (NPH; intermediate-acting) insulin. The regular component is intended to help cover glucose rises around meals, while the NPH component can help support between-meal and overnight needs. Because it is a fixed-ratio mix, meal timing and consistency can matter more than with some other insulin plans. For site logistics, US shipping from Canada is available where permitted with a valid prescription on file.

Blood glucose targets and treatment goals are individualized by a prescriber. Premixed human insulin is commonly used when a simpler schedule is preferred, or when a clinician is balancing mealtime coverage with basal (background) support using fewer daily injections. This medicine is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) using an approved device and technique.

CanadianInsulin acts as a prescription referral platform connecting patients to licensed Canadian pharmacies.

Why it matters: A fixed mix can be less flexible if meal patterns vary.

Who It’s For

Premixed human insulin in cartridges is used to treat diabetes mellitus in adults and children when insulin is required. It may be prescribed for type 1 diabetes (autoimmune insulin deficiency) and type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance with progressive beta-cell failure), depending on the overall regimen and clinician judgment. For additional condition context and related items, the site maintains browseable hubs for Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and the broader Diabetes category.

At a high level, insulin should not be used during episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It is also contraindicated in people with a known hypersensitivity to insulin human or any component of the formulation. Caution is commonly needed when there are major changes in eating patterns, physical activity, kidney function, or liver function, because these factors can alter insulin requirements. A prescriber may also reassess therapy during acute illness, surgery, or when corticosteroids are started or stopped.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing is prescribed based on blood glucose monitoring, meal patterns, and other medicines. Premixed human insulin is often scheduled before meals, sometimes once or twice daily, but exact timing and frequency depend on the regimen and the prescriber’s instructions. Because the mix includes an intermediate-acting component, dose timing can influence both mealtime control and later glucose levels. Humulin 30/70 Cartridges should be used only as directed on the prescription and product labeling.

This therapy is typically given by subcutaneous injection in areas such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Injection sites are rotated to reduce lipodystrophy (fat tissue changes) and localized skin reactions. Cartridges are designed for use with compatible reusable pen devices; they are not intended to be refilled, and they are not used for intravenous administration.

Using cartridges with a pen device

Cartridge-based insulin is administered with a reusable pen that accepts the specific cartridge format. Before each dose, the label, insulin name, and expiry date are checked to prevent mix-ups. Premixed NPH-containing insulin can appear cloudy, so gentle rolling and inversion are commonly needed to re-suspend the insulin evenly without creating foam. Pens are primed per device instructions to confirm flow. A new sterile needle is used each time, and needles are not shared between people.

• Confirm product and strength
• Gently re-suspend if needed
• Prime per device directions
• Inject and rotate sites
• Remove and discard needle

For background reading on dosing concepts and how clinicians structure regimens, see Insulin Dosage Chart.

Strengths and Forms

Insulin cartridges are manufactured in standardized concentrations, and many human insulin cartridges are supplied as U-100 (100 IU/mL). Presentation details can vary by market and manufacturer, so the carton and cartridge label should be used as the source of truth for concentration and volume. Humulin 30/70 Cartridges are commonly provided as 3 mL cartridges for use in compatible pen systems, but availability and packaging can differ.

Premixed insulin options are also grouped on the site in the Pre Mixed Insulin hub. Other insulin formats, including basal and mealtime insulins, can be browsed from Insulin and the broader Diabetes category lists.

Storage and Travel Basics

Insulin is sensitive to temperature extremes. Unopened cartridges are typically stored in a refrigerator (commonly 2–8°C) and protected from light; freezing can damage insulin, so product that has been frozen is generally discarded. Once in use, many cartridge products may be kept at controlled room temperature for a limited period, but the specific time limit depends on the labeled instructions for the exact pack received.

During travel or commuting, temperature control is important. Insulin should be kept away from direct heat (car dashboards, radiators) and protected from prolonged cold exposure. When flying, insulin is usually carried in hand luggage to reduce the risk of freezing in the cargo hold. Humulin 30/70 Cartridges may look uniformly cloudy after gentle mixing; uneven clumps or persistent particles can be a reason to set the cartridge aside and confirm next steps with a pharmacist.

Quick tip: Keep pen needles, glucose tabs, and a label photo together.

For practical handling details on appearance and mixing, the guide What Is Cloudy Insulin provides additional context.

Side Effects and Safety

The most common risk with any insulin is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Mild episodes may cause sweating, shakiness, headache, hunger, irritability, or confusion. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to seizures or loss of consciousness and is a medical emergency. Other potential effects include injection-site reactions, itching, rash, swelling, and lipodystrophy when sites are not rotated. Humulin 30/70 Cartridges can also contribute to weight gain in some patients, especially when glycemic control improves and glucose loss in urine decreases.

More serious but less common risks include systemic allergic reactions (generalized rash, breathing difficulty, or swelling), and hypokalemia (low potassium), which can be clinically significant in susceptible individuals. Beta-blockers and some other medicines may make low blood sugar harder to recognize by blunting palpitations or tremor. Monitoring plans typically include home glucose checks and periodic lab review such as A1C, guided by the treating clinician.

Licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense medications after required documentation is complete.

For additional timing concepts related to NPH-containing insulin, see Humulin N Onset Peak.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Many medicines can change insulin needs indirectly by raising or lowering blood glucose. Examples include corticosteroids, some diuretics, thyroid hormones, sympathomimetics, and certain antipsychotics, which may increase glucose levels in some people. Alcohol can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, especially when intake is not paired with food. Because premixed insulin has a set ratio, prescribers may adjust dose timing, meal planning, or other medicines rather than changing only one component.

Some drugs can increase the risk of fluid retention when used with insulin, including thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and clinicians may monitor for edema or heart failure symptoms in at-risk patients. Beta-blockers, clonidine, and reserpine may mask adrenergic warning signs of hypoglycemia. Any new prescription, over-the-counter product, or supplement is typically reviewed with the dispensing pharmacy and the prescribing clinician to reduce avoidable variability in glucose control.

Compare With Alternatives

Premixed human insulin is one approach among several. Some regimens use separate basal insulin plus rapid-acting mealtime insulin to allow more flexible meal timing. Other options use premixed insulin analogs (for example, mixtures containing insulin aspart or lispro) that may have different onset characteristics compared with regular insulin. Product naming can also differ by region; some references discuss 70/30 mixes (regular/NPH) as a closely related category of isophane-regular insulin premix.

For people who use vials instead of cartridges, a related presentation is available as Humulin 30 70 Vial. An example of a premixed insulin analog cartridge option is NovoMix Penfill Cartridges. A clinician considers factors such as hypoglycemia history, daily schedule, device preference, and affordability when selecting between these approaches.

For a plain-language overview of how different insulin types are positioned, the article Humulin Vs Humalog offers additional background.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket access for insulin can vary based on the product format, manufacturer, and local dispensing requirements. Some people compare terms such as humulin 70 30 cartridge price, Humulin 70/30 cartridge cost, or Humulin 70/30 cartridge cash price when reviewing options, but the most relevant comparison is usually the prescribed insulin type, cartridge compatibility, and the total monthly supply needed. Humulin 30/70 Cartridges may be requested through a cash-pay pathway, including when coverage is limited or without insurance.

CanadianInsulin facilitates cross-border access by coordinating documentation and routing the prescription to an appropriate dispensing pharmacy. Prescription information may be confirmed with the prescriber when required.

To review non-time-limited site offers where available, visit Current Promotions. For permitted fulfillment routes, the service supports Ships from Canada to US depending on documentation and product constraints.

Authoritative Sources

For the most reliable prescribing details, consult official labeling and established clinical references. The following sources provide regulator-reviewed or medically supervised information that can be used to confirm indications, contraindications, and key safety points.

• Prescribing information hosted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed
• Clinical education on preventing and treating low blood glucose: American Diabetes Association

To place a prescription request through the site, follow the checkout steps and select prompt, express, cold-chain shipping.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.