International Color Coding for Insulin Preparations

Insulin can be identified by the name written on the vial or pen fill. But there is one more way to identify Insulin type. This is called as international color coding system for Insulin. Here, each one type of Insulin preparation is given a color code for example “yellow for Regular Insulin”. Now any company, which markets regular Insulin by any brand name and any packing i.e. vial, pen fill, disposable pen etc, will have a yellow ring on it. Similarly, for all Insulin preparations, there is a color code and thus in addition to its name, Insulin type can be identified by color ring on vial or pen fill also. Below is the list of all available Insulin preparations and their color code. This may be important for patients as well as health care providers: