The rise in prevalence of obesity and diabetes has created a challenge in managing increasing numbers of patients who require high doses of insulin. This article reviews the published literature on the properties of U-500 insulin and its use in clinical practice. U-500 insulin is likely to have a longer time to peak effect and a longer duration of action than similar doses of U-100 insulin. Evidence for its use in clinical practice rests on retrospective case series, which suggests that the use of U-500 insulin either by multiple daily injections or a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion is effective in improving glycaemic control. To prevent insulin dosing and administration errors, great care must be taken in providing staff and patient education, and in developing policies for the management of patients on U-500 insulin who are admitted to hospital.
Keywords: U-500 insulin; insulin resistance; obesity; type 2 diabetes.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.