Rapid Acting Insulin

Agent Onset Peak Duration Indications

Used for rapid
Lispro 15-30 min 30-90 min < 5 hours reduction of glucose
level

Aspart 5-15 min 1-3 hours 3-4 hours Used for rapid
reduction of glucose
level

▪ Produce a more rapid effect that is of shorter duration than regular insulin

▪ Clients should be instructed to eat no more than 5 to 15 minutes after injection

▪ Often require a long-acting insulin to maintain blood glucose control

Short Acting

Agent Onset Peak Duration Indications

Administered 20-30 min
Regular 1/2 – 1 hour 2-3 hours 4-6 hours before meal, may be given
with other insulins

▪ Are called regular insulin (marked with an R on the bottle)

▪ A clear solution

▪ Administered 20 to 30 minutes before a meal

▪ It is the only insulin approved for IV use

 Intermediate Acting

Agent Onset Peak Duration Indications

NPH 1-1.5 hours 4-12 hours Up to 24 hours Taken after food

▪ Are called NPH insulin (neutral protamine Hagedorn) or Lente insulin

▪ Appear white and cloudy, and are similar in their course of action

▪ It is important to take some food around the onset and peak of these insulins

Very Long Acting

Agent Onset Peak Duration Indications

Glargine 3-6 hours No peak 24 hours Used for basal

(continuous) dosing
Detemir

▪ Approved by the FDA as a basal insulin

▪ It is absorbed very slowly over 24 hours and can be given once a day

▪ It cannot be mixed with other insulins, because it would cause precipitation

▪ Must be given once a day at the same time every day