What Are the Different Types of Insulin?

June 5, 2024

3 minutes

Different types of insulin syringes

Different types of insulin are generally classified by how long they take to begin action, peak, and last. The five basic different types of insulin are rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, mixed, and long-acting.

Rapid-Acting Insulin

Rapid-acting insulin, like the one released from the pancreas, swiftly lowers blood sugar. It’s typically taken at the beginning of a meal. When taken at dinner time, it can effectively prevent severe drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during the night.

Some commonly prescribed rapid-acting insulins are:

  • NovoRapid (insulin aspart): Begins to work in 9 to 20 minutes, peaks in 1.0 to 1.5 hours, and lasts 3.0 to 5.0 hours.
  • Fiasp (faster-acting insulin aspart): Begins to work in 4 minutes, peaks in 0.5 to 1.5 hours, and lasts 3.0 to 5.0 hours.
  • Apidra (insulin glulisine): Begins to work in 10 to 15 minutes, peaks in 1.0 to 1.5 hours, and lasts 3.5 to 5.0 hours.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro): Begins to work in 10 to 15 minutes, peaks in 1.0 to 2.0 hours, and lasts 3.0 to 4.75 hours.

Short-Acting Insulin (Regular)

  • Humulin R and Novolin R: Begin to work in 30 to 60 minutes, peak between 2 and 4 hours, and last 6 to 8 hours.
  • U500 (regular with 5x concentration): Begins to work in 30 minutes, peaks in 30 minutes, and lasts 18 to 24 hours.

Intermediate-Acting Insulin

  • NPH insulin: Begins working in 1 to 2 hours, peaks in 4 to 12 hours, and lasts 14 to 24 hours.

Long-Acting Insulin

  • Basaglar (insulin glargine): Goes to work in 1 to 1.5 hours, maintains a steady level, and lasts 11 to 24 hours.
  • Levemir (insulin detemir): Goes to work in 1 to 2 hours, maintains a steady level, and lasts for as long as 24 hours.
  • Tresiba (insulin degludec): Goes to work in 30 to 90 minutes, maintains a steady level, and lasts 42 hours.

Mixed Insulin

  • Humulin 70/30: Goes to work in 30 minutes, peaks at 2 to 4 hours, and lasts 14 to 24 hours.
  • Novolin 70/30: Goes to work in 30 minutes, peaks in 2 to 12 hours, and lasts as long as 24 hours.
  • Novolog 70/30: Goes to work in 10 to 20 minutes, peaks in 1 to 4 hours, and lasts as long as 24 hours.
  • Humulin 50/50: Goes to work in 30 minutes, peaks at 2 to 5 hours, and lasts 18 to 24 hours.
  • Humalog mix 75/25: Goes to work in 15 minutes, peaks in 30 minutes to 2.5 hours, and lasts 16 to 20 hours.

Get an Online Insulin Prescription With QuickMD

Did you know? QuickMD offers the convenience of remote consultations and online insulin prescriptions. You can now get your insulin prescription from the comfort of your home, without the need for insurance.

We’re here to make your diabetes management easier.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer Articles on this website are meant for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not delay care because of the content on this site. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call your doctor immediately or call 911 (if within the United States). This blog and its content are the intellectual property of QuickMD LLC and may not be copied or used without permission.

Similar Blogs You Might Enjoy