Comparison of different types of insulin, including examples:
| Type of Insulin | Onset | Peak | Duration | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid-Acting | 15 minutes | 1-2 hours | 2-4 hours | Insulin aspart (NovoLog), Insulin lispro (Humalog), Insulin glulisine (Apidra) |
| Short-Acting | 30 minutes | 2-3 hours | 3-6 hours | Regular insulin (Humulin R, Novolin R) |
| Intermediate-Acting | 1-2 hours | 4-12 hours | 12-18 hours | Insulin NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N) |
| Long-Acting | 1-2 hours | Minimal peak | Up to 24 hours | Insulin glargine (Lantus, Basaglar), Insulin detemir (Levemir) |
| Ultra-Long-Acting | 6 hours | No peak | Over 24 hours | Insulin degludec (Tresiba) |
| Premixed | Varies | Varies | Varies | Humulin 70/30, Novolog Mix 70/30 |
Key Points
- Rapid-Acting Insulin: Ideal for mealtime blood sugar control
- Short-Acting Insulin: Used for mealtime control but takes longer to start working
- Intermediate-Acting Insulin: Provides basal insulin coverage, often used in combination with rapid- or short-acting insulin
- Long-Acting Insulin: Provides consistent basal insulin coverage throughout the day
- Ultra-Long-Acting Insulin: Offers extended basal coverage with minimal peaks
- Premixed Insulin: Combines rapid- or short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin for convenience