Details of dose, insulin type, nadir blood glucose concentration, and Poisoning Severity Score in 169 cases of insulin poisoning reported to the UK National Poisons Information Service in the ten years to 31st October 2021. Ø = unrecordable
| Insulin type* | Median dose Units (range) | Lowest blood glucoseconcn mmol/L (mg/dL) | Known diabetic patients | Maximum poisoning severity | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate n | % of all moderate | Severe n | % of all severe | ||||
| Long acting (N=71) | 600 (10–20000) | Ø | 49 | 23 | 52% | 14 | 41% |
| Medium acting (N=24) | 900 (60–4500) | 0.6 (11) | 11 | 8 | 18% | 7 | 21% |
| Short acting (N=14) | 75 (28–2000) | 1.6 (29) | 7 | 3 | 7% | 1 | 3% |
| Ultrashort acting (N=35) | 180 (1.5–4800) | 1 (18) | 23 | 10 | 23% | 5 | 15% |
| Unknown (N=18) | 188 (45–400) | Ø | 8 | 0 | 0% | 7 | 21% |
| Canine (N=7) | 20 (7–1600) | 4.2 (76) | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
*Where two or more insulin types or mixtures were involved (n=55, 32.5%), the longest-acting component was counted.