Medicine · Generic

Fast-acting human insulin (regular)

Human insulin, short-acting (mealtime insulin)

Listed in Bangladesh as Insulin Human [Fast-Acting]. Also known as Regular insulin, Soluble insulin, Short-acting insulin.

10 brands
9 makers
SC Injection
From ≈ ৳203

What it is used for

Fast-acting human insulin is used to control blood sugar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, including diabetes in pregnancy. It is usually injected before meals to handle the rise in blood sugar that follows eating, often alongside a longer-acting insulin. In hospital it is also given into a vein to treat emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis and very high blood sugar.

How it works

It is identical to the insulin made by the human pancreas. After injection under the skin it starts working fairly quickly, helping sugar move from the blood into cells and reducing sugar release from the liver.

Drug class: Human insulin, short-acting (mealtime insulin)

Available in Bangladesh

10 brands from 9 makers, in these forms and strengths:

SC Injection: 40 IU/ml100 IU/ml

Brands and prices

Same medicine, different makers — ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching.

Fast-acting human insulin (regular) SC Injection · 100 IU/ml10 brands · from ≈ ৳352

Actrapid FlexPenNovo Nordisk Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd≈ ৳352
Gensulin RBeximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳401
Insul RPopular Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳401
Maxsulin RIncepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳423
Insulet RAristopharma Ltd.≈ ৳425
Humulin REli Lilly and Company≈ ৳429
Ansulin RSquare Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳433
ActrapidEskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳434

Show all 10 brands

Actrapid PenfillNovo Nordisk Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd≈ ৳438
Diasulin RACI Limited≈ ৳444

Fast-acting human insulin (regular) SC Injection · 40 IU/ml4 brands · from ≈ ৳203

Ansulin RSquare Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳203
ActrapidEskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳217
Maxsulin RIncepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.≈ ৳229
Diasulin RACI Limited≈ ৳248

Cheapest first. Prices are DGDA maximum retail prices (MRP) per unit as listed, rounded down to the whole taka. ≈ marks an indicative MRP from a public price list that Mukti has not yet checked against the pack. The MRP printed on the pack always applies.

Prescription

Mukti's medicine catalogue marks Fast-acting human insulin (regular) as a prescription medicine. Keep a valid prescription ready when you order it in the Mukti Health app, and use it only as your doctor directs.

Important safety information

Common side effects

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is the main side effect, especially if a meal is delayed or missed after injecting. Other effects include reactions at the injection site, lumps under the skin when the same area is used repeatedly, and weight gain.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first

Anyone who often skips meals, fasts or has irregular mealtimes
People with kidney or liver disease, or who have had severe low sugar episodes
Women planning a pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding, as insulin needs can change a lot
People who are unwell, vomiting or not eating normally
People on steroid tablets, beta-blockers or other medicines for diabetes

Warnings

Eat your meal within the time your doctor advises after injecting; delaying or missing it can cause a dangerous low sugar.
This insulin should look clear and colourless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discoloured or contains particles.
Check that your syringe or pen matches the concentration of your insulin; the wrong syringe can cause a large overdose or underdose.
Keep glucose or a sugary drink with you, and teach family members how to help if your sugar goes very low.
Store spare vials in the fridge but never freeze them, and keep the one in use away from heat and sunlight.

Questions people ask

Why is fast-acting insulin injected before meals?

Human insulin takes a little time to start working after injection. Injecting before the meal helps it match the rise in blood sugar after eating. Your doctor or diabetes nurse will tell you the best timing.

How is regular human insulin different from rapid-acting insulins such as aspart?

Rapid-acting insulins, such as insulin aspart and lispro, are modified to act faster and for a shorter time, so they can be injected closer to meals. Your doctor decides which type is right for you.

What if I need to miss a meal?

Skipping a meal after injecting mealtime insulin can cause low blood sugar. Ask your diabetes team in advance what to do if you plan to miss or delay a meal.

What is the cheapest brand of Fast-acting human insulin (regular) 100 IU/ml sc injection in Bangladesh?

Of the 10 brands of Fast-acting human insulin (regular) 100 IU/ml sc injection listed, the lowest maximum retail price is ৳352, for Actrapid FlexPen (Novo Nordisk Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd). They contain the same medicine; ask your doctor or pharmacist before you switch brands.

What is the price of Fast-acting human insulin (regular) in Bangladesh?

Listed maximum retail prices range from ৳203 to ৳444 per unit, depending on the form, strength and maker.

How many brands of Fast-acting human insulin (regular) are there in Bangladesh?

Mukti lists 10 brands of Fast-acting human insulin (regular) from 9 makers, as sc injection.