Types of Insulin

Insulin is a type of hormone. It helps the body use blood sugar (glucose) for fuel. With diabetes, your body may not make enough insulin. Then you may need insulin injections. If you have type 2 diabetes, your cells may have trouble using insulin.

There are many types of insulin that can be prescribed for your treatment. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the types that are best for you. Most insulin is made in a lab. It’s called human insulin because it starts out just like the insulin that’s made in the body. Some types of insulin work fast but don't last as long while other types work slowly and last longer.

The different types of insulin work in the following ways:

1. Rapid-acting insulin:

• Begins working in about  15 minutes.

• Peaks in about 1 to 2 hours.

• Keeps working for 2 to 4 hours.

Name of insulin:                                                                       

2. Short-acting or regular insulin:

• Begins working in about  30 minutes.

• Peaks within 2 to 3 hours.

• Keeps working for 3 to 6 hours.

Name of insulin:                                                                       

3. Intermediate-acting insulin:

• Begins working in about 2 to 4 hours.

• Peaks in 4 to 12 hours.

• Keeps working for  12 to 18 hours.

Name of insulin:                                                                     

4. Long-acting insulin:

• Begins working after several hours.

• Has no peak.

• Has continuous, even action for about 24 hours.

Name of insulin:                                                                        

5. Ultra long-acting insulin:

• Begins working after 6 hours.

• Has no peak.

• Lasts about 36 hours or longer.

Name of insulin: _____________________

6. Premixed combinations of intermediate-acting and short-acting insulin:

• Begin working in about 30 to 60 minutes.

• Have a strongest action that's variable.

• Keep working for 10 to 16 hours.

Name of insulin:                                                                     

7. Premixed combinations of intermediate-acting and rapid-acting insulin:

• Begin working in about 5 to 15 minutes.

• Have a strongest action that's variable.

• Keep working for 10 to 16 hours.

Name of insulin: ____________________________

8. Inhaled insulin:*

• Begins working in about 12 to 15 minutes.

• Has a strongest action in about 30 minutes.

• Keeps working for 180 minutes.

*Inhaled insulin must be used with injectable long-acting insulin in:

• People with type 1 diabetes.

• People with type 2 diabetes who use long-acting insulin.

Name of insulin: _____________________________