Actraphane 30 InnoLet 100 IU/ml suspension for injection in apre-filled pen

Actraphane is a range of insulin suspensions for injection. Actraphane is supplied in vials, cartridges (PenFill) or pre-filled pens (NovoLet, FlexPen or InnoLet). Actraphane contains the active ingredient insulin human (rDNA). Actraphane contains both fast-acting (soluble) and long-acting (isophane) insulin.
Actraphane 10: soluble insulin 10% and isophane insulin 90%
Actraphane 20: soluble insulin 20% and isophane insulin 80%
Actraphane 30: soluble insulin 30% and isophane insulin 70%
Actraphane 40: soluble insulin 40% and isophane insulin 60%
Actraphane 50: soluble insulin 50% and isophane insulin 50%

Actraphane is used in patients with diabetes.
The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

Actraphane is given subcutaneously (under the skin) by injection, usually in the abdominal wall (tummy). If convenient it may also be given in the gluteal region (bottom) or the deltoid region (shoulder). The patient's blood sugar should be tested regularly to find the lowest effective dose. The usual dose is between 0.3 and 1.0 IU/kg/day. Actraphane is usually given once or twice daily when a rapid initial effect together with a more long-lasting effect is needed.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin to control the blood sugar. Actraphane is a replacement insulin which is identical to the insulin made by the pancreas. The active ingredient of Actraphane, insulin human (rDNA), is produced by a method known as ?recombinant technology?. The insulin is made by a yeast that has received a gene (DNA), which makes it able to produce insulin. Actraphane contains insulin in two forms: the soluble form, which acts quickly (within 30 minutes of injection) and the ?isophane? form which is absorbed much more slowly during the day; and this gives Actraphane a longer duration of action. The replacement insulin acts in same way as naturally produced insulin and helps glucose enter cells from the blood. By controlling the blood sugar, the symptoms and complications of diabetes are reduced.

Actraphane has been studied in a total of 294 patients with type 1 diabetes,when the pancreas cannot produce insulin, and type 2 diabetes, when the body is unable to use insulin effectively. About one third of the patients had Type 1 diabetes (the others had Type 2 diabetes). The study compared Actraphane 30 to a similar mix, but made up using an insulin analogue (insulin aspart). The study measured after 12 weeks the level of a substance (glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1c), which gives an indication of how well the blood glucose is controlled.

Actraphane led to a decrease in the level of HbA1c, indicating that blood sugar levels had been controlled to a similar level to that seen with other human insulin. Actraphane was effective for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Actraphane may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). For the full description of the side effects reported with Actraphane, please see the Package Leaflet.
Actraphane should not be used in people who may be hypersensitive (allergic) to insulin human (rDNA) or to any of the other ingredients. Actraphane doses might also need to be adjusted when given with a number of other medicines which may have an effect on blood sugar (the full list is available in the Package Leaflet).

The Committee for Medicinal products for Human Use (CHMP) decided that Actraphane?s benefits are greater than its risks for the treatment of diabetes. They recommended that Actraphane be given marketing authorisation.