[Characterisation of activity of a biphasic monocomponent insulin (author's transl)]

13 automated continuous measurements of blood glucose over a period of 24 hours were registered in 10 diabetics with two daily doses of highly purified biphasic monocomponent insulin Rapitard (Novo) using an automated analysis system based on the autoanalyser II (Technicon). It was shown that the action of MC Rapitard insulin starts within 30 minutes after subcutaneous injection. There is a pronounced initial activity which is clearly superior to that of MC Monotard insulin. The maximum of activity is after 2-4 hours and lasts at least for 8 and sometimes 11 hours after application. Not counting two men with brittle diabetes MC Rapitard insulin was able to keep postprandial blood glucose changes within narrow limits. Thus there is a good effectiveness against hyperglycaemic peaks. Despite the b.i.d. application of this relatively long acting intermediary insulin there were no undesirable effects of an overlap. As expected the effectiveness of MC Rapitard insulin does not differ from the earlier non-chromatographically purified Rapitard insulin preparation.