Premixed 70/30 Insulin (Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30): How This Fixed Mix Works and When Telehealth Is Enough

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Premixed 70/30 insulin is a fixed mix of intermediate-acting NPH and short-acting Regular human insulin. Brand names you will see most often are Humulin 70/30 (Lilly) and Novolin 70/30 (Novo Nordisk). People also search “humulin 70 30,” “novolin 70 30,” “70/30 insulin,” “Novolin 70/30 FlexPen,” and “ReliOn Novolin 70/30.” Those names point to 70% insulin isophane (NPH) plus 30% Regular, not analog mixes such as NovoLog Mix 70/30 or Humalog Mix 75/25, and not separate vials of Humulin N plus Humulin R that you draw yourself. The ratio is locked. You cannot raise the meal-time part without also raising the NPH part.

This guide covers how premixed 70/30 is usually injected, why it looks cloudy after you roll it, how vials and KwikPens or FlexPens differ from analog basal pens, and when a video visit is enough versus when you need labs or the ER. It is educational. It is not a diagnosis or a promise that any specific insulin will be prescribed. Do not change brands, ratios, or units on your own.

Want a licensed clinician to review premixed insulin or an A1C? Klarity Health has 2,000+ licensed providers. Many visits happen online. See online prescription options or browse conditions.

TLDR

• Humulin 70/30 is 70% human insulin isophane suspension and 30% human insulin injection (rDNA origin). DailyMed lists it as a fixed-ratio premix for subcutaneous use, indicated to improve glycemic control in adult patients with diabetes mellitus. Strength is 100 units/mL (U-100) in 10 mL vials, 3 mL vials, and a 3 mL Humulin 70/30 KwikPen. Do not mix it with any other insulin or diluent. Do not give it IV or IM. Do not put it in a pump. Inject about 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. After mixing it should look uniformly cloudy with no particles (DailyMed Humulin 70/30).
• Mayo Clinic describes insulin NPH and Regular as a combination of intermediate-acting and short-acting human insulin. U.S. brand names include Humulin 70/30 and Novolin 70/30 (Mayo Clinic insulin NPH and regular).
• MedlinePlus: premixed insulin that contains NPH (Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30) should look cloudy or milky after you mix it. Do not use it if clumps sit in the liquid or white particles stick to the bottle (MedlinePlus human insulin).
• Cleveland Clinic timing many clinicians still quote for human 70/30 (70% N and 30% R): onset about 0.5 to 1 hour, peak 2 to 12 hours, duration 10 to 16 hours. That wide peak is why skipped meals and extra activity can drop glucose later in the day (Cleveland Clinic injectable insulin chart).
• DailyMed Novolin 70/30 is insulin isophane human and insulin human injectable suspension, 100 units/mL, for subcutaneous use only (vial and FlexPen presentations) (DailyMed Novolin 70/30).
• Typical home glucose targets many adults use: 80 to 130 mg/dL before meals and under 180 mg/dL two hours after a meal starts. A reading under 70 mg/dL is low. If you are sick and a reading is 240 mg/dL or higher, check ketones (CDC manage blood sugar).
• Medicare covers many telehealth visits from home anywhere in the U.S. through December 31, 2027 (HHS telehealth policy). Seizure, loss of consciousness, chest pain, or blood sugar that will not come up is 911, not a video visit.

What premixed 70/30 is trying to fix

Type 1 diabetes means the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes means the body resists insulin and often does not make enough of it. Glucose stays in the blood. Over years that raises the chance of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye disease. NIDDK notes some people with type 2 diabetes can control glucose with food, activity, sleep, and weight change. Many still need pills or insulin. Over time you may need more than one medicine (NIDDK insulin and medicines).

Human insulin replaces what the pancreas would have made. MedlinePlus says it moves sugar from the blood into tissues and slows the liver from making more sugar. Premixed 70/30 tries to cover both a meal and several hours afterward in one shot: Regular for the meal, NPH for the stretch after. The tradeoff is rigidity. DailyMed is explicit: you cannot independently adjust the basal or prandial dose when the ratio is fixed.

Typical home targets the CDC lists for many adults:

• Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL
• Two hours after the start of a meal: under 180 mg/dL

Blood sugar under 70 mg/dL is low. If you are sick and a reading is 240 mg/dL or higher, check ketones. High ketones can signal diabetic ketoacidosis, which is an emergency. Premixed 70/30 is not the insulin used to treat DKA in a hospital.

Related Klarity guides: NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N), Regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R), Lantus (insulin glargine), Tresiba (insulin degludec), type 2 diabetes medication.

How Humulin 70/30 and Novolin 70/30 work

The “70” is NPH. The “30” is Regular. After you roll or invert the vial or pen until the liquid looks uniformly cloudy, you inject under the skin. Regular starts working first, which is why the label times the shot to a meal. NPH keeps working later, which is why a late lunch, a skipped snack, or extra walking can still drop glucose hours later.

DailyMed Humulin 70/30:

• Adults with diabetes mellitus. Pediatric use is not established on that label the way Humulin N and Humulin R are.
• Subcutaneous only: abdominal wall, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks. Rotate sites in the same region.
• About 30 to 45 minutes before a meal.
• Never share a KwikPen or a syringe, even if you change the needle.
• Do not use during hypoglycemia or if you had a serious reaction to Humulin 70/30 or its ingredients.
• Changing brand, type, strength, site, or device needs closer glucose checks.
• Watch for heart failure signs if you also take a TZD such as pioglitazone (swelling, sudden weight gain, shortness of breath).

Novolin 70/30 is the same 70/30 human mix from Novo Nordisk. DailyMed lists it for subcutaneous use only in U-100 vials and FlexPen. ReliOn Novolin 70/30 is a store-brand presentation of Novolin 70/30 that some pharmacies sell. It is still human 70/30, not an analog mix. Do not treat “ReliOn” as a different ratio.

Analog premixes (NovoLog Mix 70/30, Humalog Mix 75/25) use rapid-acting insulin plus a protamine suspension. They are not interchangeable unit-for-unit with Humulin 70/30 or Novolin 70/30. Humalog Mix 75/25 is a different ratio (75/25), not 70/30.

People also ask

What is the difference between Humulin 70/30 and Novolin 70/30?

Both are 70% NPH and 30% Regular human insulin. The companies, pens, and some storage details differ. Mayo Clinic lists both as brand names for insulin NPH and Regular. Do not switch brands or devices without a plan to check glucose more often.

When do I inject 70/30 insulin?

DailyMed Humulin 70/30: about 30 to 45 minutes before a meal. That window exists because Regular is slower than analog meal-time insulin. If the meal is late after the shot, the Regular portion can drop glucose before food arrives.

Why does 70/30 look cloudy?

NPH is a suspension. MedlinePlus says premixed NPH products should look cloudy or milky after you mix them. Mix until the cloud is even. Do not use the dose if you see clumps or particles stuck to the glass.

Can I mix 70/30 with another insulin in the same syringe?

DailyMed Humulin 70/30: do not mix with any other insulins or diluents. If a clinician wants separate Regular and NPH, that is a different regimen (two vials), not adding something to a premix.

Can I use 70/30 in a pump or as an IV drip?

No. DailyMed Humulin 70/30: subcutaneous only. Do not give it intravenously or intramuscularly. Do not use it in an insulin infusion pump. Hospital DKA protocols use other insulin products under monitoring.

Can I change only the meal-time part of the dose?

No. The ratio is fixed. A higher dose raises both Regular and NPH. If breakfast spikes but afternoons run low, premix may be the wrong tool. That is a reason to talk about split Regular plus NPH, or analog basal plus bolus, not to invent a homemade ratio.

Is ReliOn Novolin 70/30 the same medicine?

ReliOn Novolin 70/30 is Novolin 70/30 sold under a pharmacy brand. It is still human 70/30 U-100. Confirm the carton says 70/30, not Regular or NPH alone, and follow the specific device instructions.

How a typical day looks on 70/30

Many adults inject twice a day, often before breakfast and before the evening meal, because one shot cannot cover every meal with a locked 70/30 split. Your clinician sets the times. A common pattern:

• Roll or invert until the liquid is evenly cloudy.
• Inject under the skin 30 to 45 minutes before the planned meal.
• Eat the meal you planned. A much smaller meal than usual raises the chance of a later low.
• Check glucose before the next meal and at bedtime, more often when you are sick or changing activity.

Skipped lunch after a morning 70/30 shot is a classic setup for a mid-afternoon low. Extra exercise without a snack plan does the same. Hypoglycemia is the most common insulin adverse reaction on the DailyMed list, along with injection-site reactions, lipodystrophy, rash, weight gain, and edema.

When telehealth is enough, and when it is not

A video visit can often review logs, A1C, meal timing, lows, and whether premix still fits. Klarity Health has 2,000+ licensed providers. Many visits happen online. Coverage for a visit or a prescription may vary by plan. Verify benefits before you book.

Medicare covers many telehealth visits from home anywhere in the U.S. through December 31, 2027. That is visit coverage, not a guarantee that 70/30 is on your formulary.

Go to urgent care or the ER, or call 911, if you have:

• Seizure, confusion you cannot shake, or loss of consciousness
• Blood sugar that will not come up with your usual low treatment
• Vomiting, high ketones, or readings that stay 240 mg/dL or higher when you are sick
• Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or signs of a serious allergic reaction

Telehealth does not replace sick-day ketone checks or emergency care.

Insurance, cost, and what to ask

Plans may prefer Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30, or an analog mix. Prior authorization is common. OTC pharmacy programs sometimes sell Novolin 70/30 without a prescription in some states, but dosing still needs a clinician. Do not assume a coupon page or a Walmart price is your plan’s rule.

Questions worth bringing to a visit:

• Is a fixed 70/30 mix still the right tool, or do I need separate basal and meal-time insulin?
• What should I do if a meal is delayed after I already injected?
• How do I adjust around exercise, illness, or shift work without changing the ratio myself?
• Which device (vial, KwikPen, FlexPen) matches the pharmacy stock my plan pays for?

Disclaimer: Insurance coverage varies by plan, pharmacy benefit, and medical necessity. This article does not state that any insurer covers premixed insulin. Confirm benefits with your plan before you book or fill a prescription.

Ready to talk through glucose logs or a 70/30 regimen? See online prescription options or browse conditions.