Insulin: Compare common options for insulin therapy
Insulin therapy is a critical part of treatment for people who have type 1 diabetes and for many who have type 2 diabetes, as well. The goal of insulin therapy is to maintain blood sugar levels within your target range. Which insulin regimen is best for you depends on various factors, including the type of diabetes you have, how much your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day and your lifestyle.
Many types of insulin are available. Here's how they compare. Keep in mind that your doctor may prescribe a mixture of insulin types to use throughout the day and night.
| Type of insulin | Generic and brand names | How long it takes to begin working (onset) | When it has the most effect on your blood sugar (peak) | How long the overall effect lasts (duration) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid-acting Absorbed more quickly than short-acting insulin, but effects wear off sooner |
Insulin aspart (NovoLog) Insulin glulisine (Apidra) Insulin lispro (Humalog) |
15 minutes | 30 minutes to 3 hours | 2 to 5 hours |
| Short-acting Works quickly, but effects don't last as long as intermediate-acting insulin |
Insulin regular (Humulin R, Novolin R) | 30 to 60 minutes | 2 to 4 hours | 3 to 8 hours |
| Intermediate-acting Starts working later than short-acting insulin, but effects last longer |
Insulin NPH human (Humulin N, Novolin N) | 1 to 4 hours | 4 to 12 hours | 12 to 18 hours |
| Long-acting Takes several hours to work, but provides insulin at a steady level for up to 24 hours |
Insulin glargine (Lantus) Insulin detemir (Levemir) |
1 to 10 hours | No clear peak | Up to 24 hours |
In some cases, pre-mixed insulin — a combination of specific proportions of intermediate-acting and short- or rapid-acting insulin in one bottle or insulin pen — may be an option.
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