Understanding Insulin Types: A Comprehensive Guide

Insulin Types Browse the article Insulin Types

Insulin Types

There are four main types of insulin. They differ in:

• how fast they work, called their onset
• when they work the best, called their peak
• how long they last, called their duration
  
  

By combining shorter- and longer-acting insulins, you can match your body's insulin needs. Everyone needs a continuous low level of insulin to carry out the body's normal activities, and everyone needs bursts of insulin after eating.

Type of Insulin  Generic Name  Brand Name  Work 
Within   Work Best, or "Peak" at Lasts  Rapid-Acting  insulin lispro (human) Humalog 15 minutes 30 to 90 minutes 3 to 4 hours insulin aspart NovoLog   insulin glusiline Apidra       Short-Acting  insulin injection Humulin R 30 minutes  1 to 3 hours 6 to 8 hours  (regular) Novolin R  Novolin R PenFill  Novolin R Prefilled  Velosulin Human BR      Regular Iletin II        Intermediate-Acting  isophane insulin suspension (NPH) Humulin N about 2 hours 4 to 12 hours 24 hours Novolin N  Novolin N PenFill  Novolin N Prefilled      NPH-N        Long-Acting  insulin glargine Lantus about 2 hours  no peak up to 24 hours   isulin detemir Levemir       NPH/R Mixtures  insulin isophane suspension Humulin 70/30 about 30 minutes 2 to 12 hours 18 to 24 hours regular insulin Humulin 50/50 Novolin 70/30 insulin lispro protamine Humalog about 15 to 30 minutes 2 to 12 hours 18 to 24 hours   insulin lispro Mix 75/25      

 

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Written by award-winning health writer Bobbie Hasselbring
Reviewed by Beth Seltzer, MD
Last updated June 2008