Insulin Types and Usage

Insulin helps regulate blood-sugar levels throughout the day and night, a key to managing diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) rely on insulin therapy to help manage their blood-glucose levels. The food they eat, stress, illness, excitement and several other factors can all affect glucose levels, necessitating insulin for stabilization. There are many types of insulin that can be administered in several ways.

If you or someone you know is struggling to afford insulin, please see our Help With Costs page.

Types of insulin

Rapid-acting

Rapid-acting insulin starts working about 15 minutes after injection, peaks (or is at maximum effectiveness) in about 1 hour and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours after injection.
(Examples: Insulin glulisine (Apidra), insulin lispro (Admelog, Humalog), and insulin aspart (Fiasp, NovoLog)

Regular or Short-acting

Regular or short-acting insulin starts working 30 minutes after injection, peaks anywhere from 2 to 3 hours after injection, and continues to work for about 3 to 6 hours.
(Example: Human Regular)

Intermediate-acting

Intermediate-acting insulin starts working 2 to 4 hours after injection, peaks about 4 to 12 hours later, and lasts approximately 12 to 18 hours.
(Example: NPH)

Long-acting

Long-acting insulin is most often combined with rapid- or short-acting insulin. It starts working several hours after injection and tends to lower glucose levels up to 24 hours or almost a full day.
(Examples: Lantus, Levemir)

Ultra long-acting

Ultra long-acting insulin starts working in 6 hours, but it does not peak and lasts about 36 hours, and in some cases longer than that.
(Examples: Tresiba, Toujeo)

How insulin is administered

Injections

Injections are needed multiple times throughout the day, though frequency varies on a case-by-case basis and typically involves a combination of both rapid- or short-acting insulin paired with a long-acting insulin. Injections are typically administered to the thigh, buttocks, abdomen or upper arms.

Pumps

Insulin pumps deliver insulin throughout the day (basal insulin) and large amounts of insulin (bolus) to cover meals or correct high glucose levels. Most people use rapid-acting insulin in their pumps. Insulin pumps are often worn on the hip and can be detached from the infusion site (where the temporary needle or tube enters the body). Sites are typically in the upper thigh, abdomen or along the tricep.

Artificial Pancreas

In mid-2016, the FDA approved the first largely automated insulin dosing system known as an artificial pancreas (AP) system. It is a hybrid closed-loop system that requires minimal user intervention. AP systems combine the technology of an insulin pump with that of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This pump/CGM combination is typically connected to the body in the same locations as a standalone pump.

Side effects of long-term insulin use

There are a few direct side effects of insulin usage. When dosing is off or carbohydrate intake is miscalculated, people with T1D may experience hypo- or hyperglycemic episodes. These states may result in headaches or flu-like symptoms. People with T1D may also experience itching, loss of fat at the insulin injection site, pain and rash or redness at injection or pump/CGM sites.