Humulin R (Regular Insulin) 10 mL Vial

Humulin R is a short-acting human insulin supplied as a multi-dose vial for diabetes management.

This page explains key facts about the Humulin R Vial, including who it’s for, dosing basics, storage, and safety considerations.

Ships from Canada to US through our prescription referral process, which may help people paying cash without insurance.

What Humulin R Vial Is and How It Works

Humulin R is regular insulin (insulin human) used to lower blood glucose in people with diabetes mellitus. Regular insulin is considered short-acting. It is commonly used as a “mealtime” insulin to cover glucose rises from food, and it may also be used for correction doses as part of a broader insulin plan. Treatment plans often pair a short-acting insulin with longer-acting insulin for baseline coverage.

This medicine works by helping glucose move from the bloodstream into cells, where it can be used for energy or stored. The overall effect depends on several factors, including dose, injection site, meal timing, and activity level. Compared with rapid-acting insulin analogs, regular insulin typically has a slower onset, which can affect timing around meals. In some clinical settings, regular insulin may also be used under close supervision for intravenous use.

Prescription details can be verified with the prescriber when required.

Who It’s For

Regular insulin is indicated to improve glycemic control in diabetes mellitus. It may be prescribed for people with Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, depending on clinical needs. It can be part of multiple daily injection regimens, sliding-scale approaches in supervised environments, or other structured plans directed by a clinician. For broader background and condition-level context, browse the Diabetes hub and the Diabetes Articles collection.

Humulin R Vial is not used to treat episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and is contraindicated during an active low-glucose event. It should not be used by anyone with a known hypersensitivity to insulin human or to any component of the formulation. Extra caution is commonly needed when there is reduced kidney or liver function, during major changes in diet or routine, and when switching between insulin products, because glucose patterns can change.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing for regular insulin is individualized. Prescribers typically base a regimen on weight, diet patterns, concurrent medicines, and glucose monitoring data. Instructions may include a scheduled mealtime dose, a correction component, or both. The vial format is designed for use with compatible U-100 insulin syringes when the product is U-100; measurement accuracy matters because small changes in units can lead to meaningful glucose effects.

When Humulin R Vial is used at meals, clinicians often provide guidance on how to match insulin timing and dose to carbohydrate intake and pre-meal glucose. Education commonly includes injection technique, rotation of injection sites, and safe disposal of sharps. For broader context on meal-related insulin strategies, see Bolus Insulin Brands.

Timing Around Meals and Daily Routines

Regular insulin is frequently described as needing more lead time than rapid-acting insulin. In practice, timing is set by the prescriber based on the specific product, meal patterns, and glucose targets. Missed meals, delayed eating, or unexpected activity can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Alcohol can also make lows more likely and harder to recognize. A clinician may recommend additional glucose checks during schedule changes, illness, or medication adjustments. Any change in insulin type, syringe type, or routine should be reviewed with a healthcare professional to reduce dosing errors and to confirm monitoring expectations.

Why it matters: Mix-ups between U-100 and concentrated U-500 insulin can cause dangerous dosing errors.

Strengths and Forms

This product page is for a regular insulin vial presentation. The most common format is U-100 (100 units/mL) supplied in a 10 mL multi-dose vial, but presentation can vary by market and dispensing pharmacy. Regular insulin is also manufactured in concentrated forms (such as U-500) that are not interchangeable with U-100 products. Concentrated insulin requires different dosing considerations and, in some cases, dedicated delivery devices.

The vial should be used only with the delivery supplies specified by the prescriber and the product labeling. Do not use a syringe calibrated for a different concentration. Before each use, the solution should be visually checked for expected appearance and the correct labeling. If there is uncertainty about the concentration or device compatibility, a pharmacist or prescriber should confirm before use.

Storage and Travel Basics

Proper storage helps maintain insulin potency and reduces avoidable waste. Humulin R Vial is typically stored refrigerated before first use, and it should be protected from freezing and direct heat. Insulin exposed to extreme temperatures may not work as expected, even if it looks normal. Always follow the storage instructions on the pharmacy label and manufacturer information for in-use room-temperature limits and discard timing.

During travel, keep insulin and supplies in a temperature-stable carry bag rather than checked luggage. Avoid leaving insulin in a parked car or near a heater vent. Keep the original carton or a clearly printed label available for identification. If the insulin has been dropped, exposed to heat, or appears unusual, a pharmacist can help determine whether it should be replaced.

Licensed pharmacies in Canada dispense medication after reviewing the prescription.

Quick tip: Keep a spare syringe and glucose source in a separate bag.

Side Effects and Safety

Like all insulins, Humulin R Vial can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which is the most important safety risk. Lows may present with sweating, shakiness, fast heartbeat, hunger, irritability, or confusion, and severe episodes can lead to seizure or loss of consciousness. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can also occur if insulin is missed, spoiled, or under-dosed, and may cause thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or blurred vision.

Other possible effects include injection-site reactions (redness, itching, swelling), weight gain, or edema (fluid retention). Rare but serious reactions include generalized allergic reactions and hypokalemia (low potassium), especially in susceptible individuals. Repeated injections in the same area can contribute to lipodystrophy (fat or skin changes at injection sites), which may affect absorption. For more detailed background, review Humulin Side Effects.

• Common concerns: low glucose and local irritation.
• Serious concerns: severe allergy or marked confusion.
• When to reassess: persistent highs or frequent lows.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Many medicines can change insulin needs by raising or lowering glucose levels, altering insulin sensitivity, or masking symptoms of hypoglycemia. Examples include corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, thyroid hormones, some antipsychotics, and certain HIV therapies. Other glucose-lowering agents, including GLP-1 receptor agonists or sulfonylureas, can increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with insulin.

Beta-blockers deserve special mention because they may reduce awareness of typical low-glucose warning signs such as tremor or palpitations. Alcohol can also increase hypoglycemia risk, sometimes delayed. Illness, infection, or changes in kidney function may require closer glucose monitoring. A prescriber or pharmacist should review the full medication list, including over-the-counter products and supplements, to identify interaction risks.

• Glucose-lowering medicines: may increase low-glucose risk.
• Steroids and hormones: can raise glucose levels.
• Beta-blockers: may mask low symptoms.

Compare With Alternatives

Regular insulin is one of several options used to manage meal-related glucose. Another regular insulin brand is available as Novolin GE Toronto Vial, which is also a short-acting (regular) insulin in a vial format. Rapid-acting analogs, such as insulin lispro, are often used closer to meals and may better match faster carbohydrate absorption in some regimens; one example is Humalog Vial.

Basal insulins (long-acting) address background glucose between meals and overnight, and they are typically combined with a mealtime insulin when needed. Intermediate-acting insulin (NPH) can be used as a lower-cost basal option in some plans, but has a more pronounced peak. For product-to-product background reading, see Novolin R vs Humulin R and Humulin vs Humalog. Any switch should be handled by a clinician, because timing, dose, and monitoring needs may change.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket costs for Humulin R Vial can vary based on the dispensing pharmacy, supply duration, and the overall insulin plan. Some people compare costs across human insulin options, including regular insulin and NPH, when discussing treatment choices with a prescriber. For browsing related options by class, see the Insulin category and the broader Diabetes catalog.

CanadianInsulin operates as a prescription referral service that helps route valid prescriptions to licensed dispensing pharmacies. Documentation requirements can vary by medication and destination, and certain prescriptions may require confirmation with the prescriber. This model supports cross-border access using cash pay, including scenarios where a person is not using insurance. For many orders, US delivery from Canada is part of the fulfillment pathway, with handling designed to protect temperature-sensitive products.

The service supports cash-pay access for people who do not use insurance.

Authoritative Sources

Regulatory labeling and independent medical references are useful for confirming indications, contraindications, and safety topics such as hypoglycemia recognition and drug interactions. For the most accurate product-specific details, always prioritize the pharmacy label and the manufacturer’s prescribing information that accompanies the dispensed insulin. Clinicians may also provide individualized written instructions that reflect lab results, comorbidities, and concurrent therapies.

The following references provide general education on regular insulin and insulin use in diabetes management. They can help clarify expected effects, safety warnings, and common storage principles. They do not replace clinical judgment for dosing, switching, or monitoring plans.

• General medication overview from MedlinePlus: Insulin Regular Injection.
• Background on insulin medicines from NIDDK: Insulin Medicines.

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