The spelling of "Protamine Hagedorn Insulin" may appear daunting, but it follows the rules of English pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈproʊtəmiːn ˈhɑːɡɪdɔːrn ˌɪnsjəlɪn/. "Protamine" is pronounced with a long "o" sound and "ame" as "uh-meen." "Hagedorn" follows the European pronunciation with "ha" as "hah," "ge" as "geh," and "dorn" as "dorn." Overall, the word's complexity reflects its importance as a medication used to manage diabetes.
Protamine Hagedorn insulin, also known as NPH insulin, is a type of intermediate-acting insulin used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is named after its developers, Hans Christian Hagedorn and August Krogh, and the substance protamine, which is used to prolong its duration of action.
NPH insulin consists of regular insulin mixed with protamine. Regular insulin is a short-acting form that helps control blood sugar levels after meals. Protamine is a protein derived from fish or pig sperm that is added to regular insulin to slow down its absorption and extend its effectiveness.
When injected subcutaneously, NPH insulin forms clumps or crystals that slowly dissolve, enabling the gradual release of insulin into the bloodstream. This sustained release profile provides a longer duration of action than regular insulin alone, typically lasting around 12-16 hours. This makes NPH insulin suitable for managing both fasting and postprandial glucose levels.
NPH insulin is often used in combination with short-acting insulin or rapid-acting insulin to provide a basal-bolus regimen, which mimics the body's natural insulin production. It is commonly administered via subcutaneous injection, using a syringe or an insulin pen.
Due to its intermediate duration, NPH insulin requires careful timing and monitoring of meals and blood glucose levels. The dosage and timing may vary between individuals and should be determined by a healthcare professional.