Types of Insulin
The peak and duration of insulin is affected by many things, including individual response, time of day, exercise, stress, sickness, and content of a meal (high-fat meals can lead to hypoglycemia).
Importantly, oral infections may cause an increased demand for insulin.
Insulin reacts differently in individuals and the chart below is only a general guideline based upon insulin manufacturer information.
Types of insulin#
| Type | Technical name | Brand name | Onset | Peak | Duration |
| Rapid-acting | Aspart Glulisine Lispro | Novolog Apidra Humalog | 5-30 min | 30 min-3 hrs | 3-5 hrs |
| Rapid-acting inhaled | (insulin human ) Inhalation powder | Afrezza | 12-15 min | 60 min | 2.5-3 hrs |
| Short-acting | Insulin regular | Humulin R Novolin R | 30 min | 3 hrs | 4-12 hrs (U-100), up to 24 hrs (U-500) |
| Inter-mediate acting | Insulin NPH | Humulin N Novolin NL | 60-90 min | 4-12 hrs | 14.5 hrs |
| Long-acting | Glargine Glargine-yfgn Detemir | Lantus Semglee Levemir | 3-4 hrs | none | up to 20 hrs |
| Ultra-long acting | Glargine U-300 Degludec U-100 and U-200 | Toujeo Tresiba | 6 hr 1 hr | none | ≥24 hrs ≥42 hrs |
| Premixed | Lispro protamine/Lispro | Humalog Mix50/50 Humalog Mix75/25 | 30-60 min | 2-12 hrs | up to 18 hrs |
| Aspart protamine/Aspart | Novolog Mix 70/30 | ||||
| NPH/Regular | Humulin 70/30 Novolin 70/30 |
Related Pages#
- Medical Disorders: Diabetes Mellitus
- Oral Health Care Considerations: Diabetes Mellitus
- Classification and Definitions: Diabetes Mellitus
- Classifications and Definitions: Hypoglycemia
- Classifications and Definitions: Hyperglycemia
- Medical Emergencies: Hypoglycemia
- Medical Emergencies: Hyperglycemia (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)
- Medications: Oral and Other Non-Insulin Hypoglycemic Agents