Types of Insulin

ParaCity Portable Insulin Cooler 2-8°C Refrigerated Box Drug Reefer Car Refrigerator

There are five types of insulin. They vary by onset (how soon they start to work), peak (how long they take to kick into full effect) and duration (how long they stay in your body).

You may have to take more than one type of insulin, and these needs may change over time (and can vary depending on your type of diabetes).

1.Rapid-acting insulin

Examples: Humalog (lispro), NovoLog (aspart), Apidra (glulisine)

Rapid-acting insulin is taken just before or after meals, to control spikes in blood sugar. This type is typically used in addition to a longer-acting insulin.

It often works in 15 minutes, peaks between 30 and 90 minutes, and lasts 3 to 5 hours.

You can take it a few minutes before eating or as you sit down to eat, and it starts to work very quickly.

2.Short-acting insulin

Examples: Humulin R, Novolin R

Short-acting insulin covers your insulin needs during meals. It is taken about 30 minutes to an hour before a meal to help control blood sugar levels.

This type of insulin takes effect in about 30 minutes to one hour, and peaks after two to four hours. Its effects tend to last about five to eight hours.

The biggest advantage of short-acting insulin is that you don’t have to take it at each meal. You can take it at breakfast and supper and still have good control because it lasts a little longer.

3.Intermediate-acting insulin

Examples: Humulin N (NPH), Novolin N (NPH)

Intermediate-acting insulin can control blood sugar levels for about 12 hours or longer, so it can be used overnight.

It begins to work within one to four hours, and peaks between four and 12 hours, depending on the brand.

Intermediate-acting insulin offer baseline insulin coverage and can be used with short-acting insulin or rapid-acting insulin.

4.Long-acting insulin

Examples: Lantus (glargine), Levemir (detemir)

Long-acting insulin has an onset of one hour, and lasts for 20 to 26 hours with no peak.

This insulin type tends to cover your insulin needs for a full day. It is often taken at bedtime.

These long-acting insulin provide 24-hour coverage, and have been helpful at achieving good blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes with just one shot.

5.Pre-mixed insulin

Examples: Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30, NovoLog 70/30, Humulin 50/50, Humalog mix 75/25, Humalog mix 50/50

This type of insulin combines intermediate- and short-acting insulin. It is often taken twice a day before meals. It should be taken 10 minutes to 30 minutes before eating.

Pre-mixed insulin takes effect in 5 to 60 minutes, and its peak times vary. Its effects last from 10 to 16 hours.

Pre-mixed insulin was designed to be more convenient. But not everybody has the same insulin requirements, so they don’t fit neatly into the pre-mixed categories.

 

 

Type of Insulin Rapid-acting	Brand Name         _ NovoLog	Generic Name   __Insulin aspart	Onset   15 minutes	Peak   30 to 90 minutes	Duration 3 to 5 hours
	__ Apidra	__ Insulin glulisine	15 minutes	30 to 90 minutes	3 to 5 hours
	__ Humalog	__ Insulin lispro	15 minutes	30 to 90 minutes	3 to 5 hours

 

                                                                              

Type of Insulin   Short-acting	Brand Name    __ Humulin R	Generic Name   __ Regular (R)	Onset   30 to 60 minutes	Peak   2 to 4 hours	Duration 5 to 8 hours
	__ Novolin R

 

                                                        

Type of Insulin   Intermediate-acting	Brand Name __ Humulin N	Generic Name   __ NPH (N)	Onset       1 to 3 hours	Peak     8 hours	Duration   12 to 16 hours
	__ Novolin N

 

                                                                                           

Type of Insulin Long-acting	Brand Name      __ Levemir	Generic Name      __ Insulin detemir	Onset       1 hour	Peak Peakless	Duration   20 to 26 hours
	__ Lantus	__ Insulin glargine

 

                                                                                                     

Type of Insulin      Pre-mixed NPH (intermediate-acting) and regular (short-acting)	Brand Name   __ Humulin 70/30 __ Novolin 70/30	Generic Name          __ 70% NPH and 30% regular	Onset 30 to 60 minutes	Peak   Varies	Duration 10 to 16 hours
	__ Humulin 50/50	__ 50% NPH and 50% regular	30 to 60 minutes	Varies	10 to 16 hours

 

 

                                                                                                            

Type of Insulin    Pre-mixed insulin lispro protamine suspension (intermediate-acting) and insulin lispro (rapid-acting	Brand Name    __ Humalog Mix 75/25	Generic Name __ 75% insulin lispro protamine and 25% insulin lispro	Onset   10 to 15 minutes	Peak    Varies	Duration  10 to 16 hours
	__ Humalog Mix 50/50	__ 50% insulin lispro protamine and 50% insulin lispro	10 to 15 minutes	Varies	10 to 16 hours

 

                                                                                                                   

Type of Insulin    Pre-mixed insulin aspart protamine suspension (intermediate-acting) and insulin aspart (rapid-acting)	Brand Name    __ NovoLog Mix 70/30	Generic Name __ 70% insulin aspart protamine and 30% insulin aspart	Onset     5 to 15 minutes	Peak    Varies	Duration 10 to 16 hours

 

Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because it would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. It must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood.

In some rare cases insulin can lead to an allergic reaction at the injection site. Talk to your doctor if you believe you may be experiencing a reaction.

If you have any information,questions, or feedback you would like to include in this webpage.

Please email momo19@diabetessupportsite.com or leave your comments below.