In the management of diabetic ketoacidosis, which insulin preparation is preferred for intravenous infusion?

• A Regular insulin ✓
• B Neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin
• C Insulin glargine
• D Insulin detemir

Explanation

Regular insulin is the only preparation licensed and conventionally used for intravenous administration because it is a clear solution of unmodified human insulin with predictable kinetics when given IV, where its half-life is about 5 minutes and duration under an hour. All analog preparations and NPH are formulated for subcutaneous use only, and protamine-containing or precipitate-forming products given intravenously would have unpredictable and potentially dangerous effects.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.