If you have Type 1 Diabetes, insulin is your lifeline. To survive, you need injections of insulin to digest and break down food sugars into energy. You have a choice of methods for getting your insulin. You can administer your insulin injections with a syringe or insulin pen, or you can use an insulin pump. Many people with Type 2 Diabetes also require insulin to supplement the insulin manufactured by your body.
Types of Insulin
There are several types of insulin, each meeting different needs, and your doctor may prescribe the use of more than one type of insulin on a daily basis:
- Ultra fast-acting
- Fast-acting
- Intermediate
- Long-acting
- Ultra long-acting
| Type of Insulin | Name(s) | Onset | Peak Effectiveness | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra fast-acting | Humalog, Novalog, Apidra | 5-15 minutes | 45-90 minutes | 3-4 hours |
| Fast-acting | Regular (Humulin R, Novolin R) | 30-60 minutes | 2-4 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Intermediate | NPH, Lente | 1-3 hours | 6-12 hours | 20-24 hours |
| Long-acting | Ultralente | 4-6 hours | 18-28 hours | 28 hours |
| Ultra long-acting | Lantus, Levemir | 1 hour | No peak | 24 hours |
Ultra fast-acting insulins like Humalog and Novalog begin working within 15 minutes. This is especially convenient at mealtime, since ultra fast-acting insulins will lower the blood sugar at the same time the food is raising it. However, you must eat within 15 minutes of taking this type of insulin or you could experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Fast-acting, or regular insulin, begins working within 30 to 60 minutes of taking it and it stays in your system for 6 to 8 hours. If you are prone to episodes of hypoglycemia, regular insulin might be better for you than an ultra fast-acting insulin. Regular insulin is also much less expensive.
Intermediate insulins like NPH and lente, long-acting insulin or ultralente, and the newer ultra long-acting insulins such as Lantus and Levemir take longer to begin working and remain in your system for up to or more than 24 hours. These types of insulins, often referred to as “background” insulin, are used to control blood sugar levels when you are not eating.
Why do you need a background insulin? Your body uses glucose as energy throughout the day. Therefore, you need a long-acting insulin in the bloodstream to help your body release glucose into your cells and produce energy.
Which Insulin(s) Should I Take?
Everyone responds differently to the various types of insulin, and your own insulin needs will likely vary from time to time based on your diet, exercise and other factors. That’s why it’s critical to talk to your doctor to find the right combination of insulin that works best for you.
SUPPORTER