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Insulin: Compare common options for insulin therapy

Insulin therapy can help prevent diabetes complications by keeping your blood sugar within your target range. The most effective type of insulin therapy 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 insulinGeneric and brand namesHow 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)

10 to 30 minutes 30 minutes to 3 hours 3 to 5 hours
Short-acting
Works quickly, but effects don't last as long as intermediate-acting insulin		 Insulin regular (Humulin R, Novolin R, others) 30 to 60 minutes 2 to 5 hours Up 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 2 hours 4 to 12 hours 16 to 24 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 5 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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May 17, 2008