Type of Insulin

Examples
(May not all be available in the U.S.)

Rapid-acting insulin begins to work very quickly -- about 5 minutes after injecting or infusing it.  It peaks at about 1 hour and then continues to work for about 4 hours in the body.

Rapid-acting insulin is generally used to cover food eaten when taking shots (which is why it may be called "mealtime insulin"), but almost always it is the only insulin used in an insulin pump.

Rapid insulin may be used in an insulin pump to cover meal and correction boluses as well as is used for administering basal insulin.

Apidra - insulin glulisine (rDNA origin injection

Humalog (Humalog Pen, Lispro-PFC, insulin-lispro)

NovoLog - NovoRapid, aspart (rDNA origin)

Rapid insulins are clear in color.

Regular or short-acting insulin usually enters the bloodstream within 30-45 minutes after injection or infusion and peak about 2-3 hours later. Short-acting insulin continues to work in the body for 3 to 6 hours and sometimes a little longer.

This type of insulin may also be used for mealtime boluses.

Regular insulin is also referred to as "Toronto" insulin in certain parts of Canada.

Humulin-R, Humulin R U-500

Novolin

Intermediate-acting insulin enters the bloodstream about 2 to 4 hours after it is injected and peaks 4-10 hours later.  It is effective for about 12 to 16 hours.

These insulins are often referred to as "NPH."

Intermediate-acting insulin is insulin mixed with something that makes the body absorb the insulin more slowly.  While an allergy to insulin itself is rare, some people may be allergic to the buffering agents mixed in with intermediate-acting insulin.

Humulin-N - Humulin-N Pen - (NPH human insulin (rDNA ORIGIN) isophane suspension 100 UNITS per ML (U-100))

Novolin-N - Generic Name: insulin isophane.  Brand Names: Humulin N, Humulin N Pen, Iletin II NPH Pork, Insulin Purified NPH Pork, Novolin N, Novolin N Innolet, Novolin N PenFill

Intermediate insulins are cloudy in color.

Long-acting insulin enters the bloodstream 2-4 hours after injection and is generally effective for 20 to 24 hours.

Long-acting insulin is effective for covering basal insulin for those who are in daily injections of insulin.  It should never be used in an insulin pump and cannot be mixed in a syringe with other insulin.

Lantus^® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection).  Because of the dependable, long-acting nature of Lantus, it is sometimes referred to (slang) as the "poor man's pump."

Levemir - insulin detemir (rDNA origin)

Other Types of Insulin

Inhaled Insulin

Oral Insulin - Currently, there is no such product on the market to supply oral insulin.

Pre-mixed insulin - Insulin may also come premixed, that is a combination of rapid or fast-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin.

Different mix rations include: 10/90, 20/80. 30/70 (the most commonly prescribed mix), 40/60, 50/50, and Mix 25.

Inhaled insulin

Exubera - human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder Exubera Inhaler.  It is made of blisters of recumbent human insulin that is administered through a large inhaler device.

Pre-Mixed Insulin

Humulin 70/30 and Humulin 50/50, also Humulin 10/90

Novolin 70/30