isophane insulin human

Isophane insulin human, also known as NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin, is an intermediate-acting human insulin formulation used for glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. Developed by Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical in collaboration with Nanjing King-Friend Biochemical Pharmaceutical, this product (marketed as Gansulin N) consists of recombinant human insulin complexed with protamine and zinc. This complexation creates a crystalline suspension that slows the absorption of the insulin after subcutaneous injection, resulting in a delayed onset and a prolonged duration of action (typically 18–24 hours) compared to regular insulin. Its primary mechanism of action involves binding to the insulin receptor, which stimulates peripheral glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat while simultaneously inhibiting hepatic glucose production. It is an essential component of basal-bolus or split-mixed insulin regimens for managing both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Brand names

Gansulin N

Other names

NPH insulinNeutral Protamine Hagedorn insulinisophane protamine human insulinisophane insulinhuman isophane insulin