Use
of Humulin Insulin in a Patient With COVID-19
COVID-19
is an infectious respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, previously
referred to as "2019 novel coronavirus."1
Lilly
has not studied the use of Humulin insulin in patients with COVID-19
nor in patients at risk of contracting COVID-19.
The
Humulin insulin label doesn't state any specific recommendations.
However, it does state that insulin requirements may be increased
during illness or emotional disturbances. 2-4
Insulin
requirements may be increased by substances with hyperglycaemic
activity, such as glucocorticoids. Insulin requirements may be
reduced in the presence of substances with hypoglycaemic activity,
such as salicylates (for example, acetylsalicylic acid). 2-4
Clinicians
should use their clinical judgment in determining the most
appropriate approach in treating a patient with Humulin insulin who
has confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
Infectious
Disease Resources for COVID-19
For
current information on COVID-19, please refer to
References
1.
Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes
it. World Health Organization. Accessed March 17, 2020.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it
2.
Humulin S [summary of product characteristics]. Eli Lilly and
Company Limited, Hampshire.
3.
Humulin M3 [summary of product characteristics]. Eli Lilly and
Company Limited, Hampshire.
4.
Humulin I [summary of product characteristics]. Eli Lilly and
Company Limited, Hampshire.
5.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. European web page of the
World Health Organization. Accessed March 20, 2020.
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19
6.
International Diabetes Federation Europe. COVID-19 outbreak:
guidance for people with diabetes.
https://www.idf.org/our-network/regions-members/europe/europe-news/196-information-on-corona-virus-disease-2019-covid-19-outbreak-and-guidance-for-people-with-diabetes.html.
Accessed March 18, 2020
7.
COVID-19. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Accessed March 20, 2020.
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
Glossary
COVID-19
= coronavirus disease 2019
ECDC
= European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
EU
WHO = World Health Organization (European regional office)
IDF
= International Diabetes Federation
Lilly
= Eli Lilly and Company
SARS-CoV-2
= severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2