Types of Insulin
| Action | Drug | Onset | Peak | Duration | Timing | Remarks |
| Rapid Acting | insulin aspart (Novolog) | 10-20 min | 1-3 hrs | 3-5 hrs | Before meals ac |
Clear Can mix with NPH. |
| insulin lispro (Humalog) | 5-15 min | 1-1.5 hrs | 3-4 hrs | |||
| Insulin glulisine (Apidra) | 15-30 min | 1 hr | 3-4 hrs | |||
| Short Acting |
insulin regular (Humulin R, Novolin R) |
30-60 min | 1-5 hrs | 6-10 hrs | ac | Clear Can give SQ or IV Can mix with NPH, sterile water or NS. |
| Intermediate Acting |
isophane suspension (NPH, Humulin N) |
1-2 hrs | 6-14 hrs | 16-24 hrs | Cloudy | |
| Long Acting |
insulin detemir (Levemir) |
Gradual | 6-8 hrs | Up to 24 hrs | 1-2 times per day | Clear Do not mix with other insulins. |
| insulin glargine (Lantus) | 1.1 hrs | No peak | 1 time per day | Clear May seen given at hs Do not mix with other insulins. |
Source: Adams, M.P., & Holland, L.N. (2011). Pharmacology for nurses: A pathophysiologic approach. Pearson; Boston, Mass.