The use of human insulin derived from baker's yeast by recombinant DNA technology

Human insulin has gradually replaced animal insulin as the therapeutic agent of first choice among insulin-dependent and insulin-requiring patients with diabetes. Like animal insulin, human insulin manufactured by several different methods is available in Regular, NPH, Lente, and 70/30 (NPH/Regular) formulations. The most recently developed method of manufacturing human insulin uses recombinant DNA technology with baker's yeast as the host cell [rDNA HI (BY)], offering potentially limitless supplies of insulin structurally identical to that made by the human pancreas. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the extent of insulin absorption, the glucose-lowering effects, and the clinical effects on glycemic control and on incidence of hypoglycemia with rDNA HI (BY) are similar to those observed when patients are treated with semisynthetic human insulin (ssHI). Dose-for-dose transfer of patients from ssHI to rDNA HI (BY) is therefore appropriate. It is standard practice to recommend that any change in insulin be conducted under medical supervision.