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Insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas and used
by the body so that glucose can enter the cells for energy. With Type
1 diabetes, the beta cells have been destroyed and are no longer active
therefore patients with Type
1 diabetes use insulin injections. These insulin injections are used
in place of the body's naturally produced insulin. With Type
2 diabetes, the pancreas is usually producing insulin however the
body has developed a level of insulin resistance. This usually means that
the insulin produced is not enough to keep the blood sugar levels balanced.
Often a change in diet, an increase in exercise and oral medications are
used first. When that is no longer effective, a person with Type 2 often
requires injected insulin.
Insulin itself cannot be taken as a pill because it would be broken down
during the digestive process. This digestion would prevent the insulin
from arriving to the cells in your body in a state that will allow it
to assist in turning glucose to energy. This is the reason insulin must
be taken by needle injection into your blood stream under the fatty layer
of the skin.
There are currently 20 different types of insulin sold in the US. Many
factors, such as the species it was extracted from, injection site, and
exercise level affect the onset, peak and duration of insulin. Generally
speaking, each type of insulin has its own diffusion attributes. There
are five different generally accepted categories of insulin based on the
following criteria:
- Onset - How soon it starts working.
- Peak time - When it works the hardest.
- Duration - How long it lasts in your body.
Indicated in the chart and descriptions below are generalizations of
several different insulin. Every individual body may process and use the
insulin differently. Always consult your physician before administering
any medications.
| Insulin |
Begins Working |
Peaks at |
Ends Working in |
Low Occurs at |
| Humalog |
15-20 mins |
30-90 mins |
3-4 hours |
2-4 hr |
| Novolog |
15-20 mins |
40-50 mins |
3-4 hours |
2-4 hr |
| Regular |
30-60 mins |
80-120 mins |
4-6 hours |
3-7 hr |
| NPH |
2-4 hours |
6-10 hours |
14-16 hours |
6-12 hr |
| Lente |
3-4 hours |
6-12 hours |
16-18 hours |
7-14 hr |
| Ultralente |
4-6 hours |
10-16 hours |
18-20 hours |
12-24 hr |
| Lantus |
2-3 hours |
almost no peak |
18-26 hours |
4-24 hr |
Regular insulin (pork, beef, beef/pork, or human) is fast acting
and lasts a short time in the body. It is sometimes used before meals
to control the post-meal rise in blood sugar, and to lower blood sugar
quickly when an immediate correction is needed. You must consult your
physician before using any type of insulin.
Semi-Lente insulin (beef/pork) has a short duration, but twice
as long as Regular insulin. It is sometimes used to control post-meal
rises in blood sugar and may be combined with Lente insulin. You must
consult your physician before using any type of insulin.
NPH insulin (beef, pork, beef/pork or human) contains added protamine
for an intermediate-acting effect. NPH insulin provides a basal amount
of insulin. Two injections a day are usually prescribed. You must consult
your physician before using any type of insulin.
Lente insulin (beef, pork, or human) contains added zinc, which
gives it an intermediate-acting effect similar to NPH. Lente insulin also
provides a basal amount of insulin. Two injections a day are usually prescribed.
You must consult your physician before using any type of insulin.
Ultralente insulin (beef or human) contains a lot of added zinc
to give it the longest-acting effect. Note that Humulin Ultralente has
a shorter peak and duration than beef Ultralente. Ultralente insulin provides
the steadiest basal amount of insulin. One injection a day is used in
combination with Regular insulin before meals. You must consult your physician
before using any type of insulin.
Insulin Lispro, sold under the trade name Humalog, is a new man-made
insulin that is very similar to naturally occurring human insulin. It
has a more rapid onset and a shorter duration of action than human regular
insulin. It is meant to be taken within 15 minutes of eating a meal and
in combination with longer-acting insulin. The Diabetes Monitor has made
additional information about Insulin Lispro available online. The University
of Massachusetts Diabetes Clinics have found this new insulin to be helpful
for many persons who need to take a short-acting insulin before meals
but who have difficulty with meal schedules or with after-meal insulin
reactions. You must consult your physician before using any type of insulin.
70/30 Insulin (human) is a mix of 70% NPH and 30% Regular insulin.
Two injections a day are usually recommended. You must consult your physician
before using any type of insulin.
Insulin storage tips:
- Insulin will keep for 1 month at room temperature if kept cooler
than 86 degrees and out of direct sunlight or heat.
- Unopened bottles of insulin should be stored in a refrigerator; but
do not freeze insulin.
- Syringes may be pre-filled and stored in a refrigerator for up to
3 weeks. Be sure to roll the syringes before use to mix the insulin.
All of the information above is strictly for referral and educational
purposes only. All people with diabetes should consult their physician
before using any medications to treat and manage their diabetes.
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