Types of insulin

When you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas still produces insulin. Over time, however, less and less of this hormone may be produced. This leads to the need to rely on insulin injections to control your blood glucose levels. Insulin injections may be added while continuing the use of diabetes pills.

Insulin, because it can improve blood glucose control, often will lead to a better quality of life and prevent or delay the complications and side effects of diabetes.

Insulin is divided into categories which are based on:

Types of InsulinNames of InsulinHow Fast They StartWhen the Action PeaksHow Long They Last

Rapid Acting

Humalog/Lispro

Novolog/Aspart

5 - 15 minutes

30 - 90 minutes

1 - 3 hours

3 - 5 hours

Short Acting

Regular

1/2 - 1 hour

2 - 4 hours

6 - 8 hours

Intermediate

NPH

1 - 2 hours

6 - 10 hours

10 - 16 hours

Long Acting

Lantus/Glargine

Levemir/Detemir

1 - 2 hours

No peak action

18 - 24 hours

There are also combination insulin mixtures that are premixed, such as:

Each person responds differently to insulin. Your doctor will determine the best type of insulin and the best insulin schedule for you.

 


Review Date: 7/8/2012
Reviewed By: Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Previoulsy reviewed by Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (5/13/2010)
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