12.27.2013 - By Billy Lin, MD and Tina Lien, BSc Pharm
Classes of insulin and different treatment regimens are discussed in the third episode of a 3-part series on diabetes. This episode also marks the conclusion of our coverage of the "Big Three" of modern medicine (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes), and with it, we make an official announcement of the launch of the Family Pharm Podcast to the world (aka Facebook)!
Class
Drug
Onset
Peak
Duration
Very Rapid-acting Insulin Analogues
insulin aspart
(NovoRapid)
10–15 min
60–90 min
4–5 h
insulin glulisine
(Apidra)
insulin lispro
(Humalog)
Rapid-acting Insulin
insulin regular
(Humulin R, Novolin ge Toronto)
30–60 min
2–4 h
5–8 h
Intermediate-acting Insulin
insulin NPH
(Humulin N, Novolin ge NPH)
1–2 h
5–8 h
14–18 h
Long-acting Insulin Analogues
insulin detemir
(Levemir)
1.5 h
Flat, no discernible peak
24 h
insulin glargine
(Lantus)
Mixed (regular/NPH) Human Insulin
insulin regular/insulin NPH
Humulin 30/70,
Novolin ge 30/70, 40/60, 50/50
Combination of individual components
Mixed Insulin Analogues
insulin lispro/lispro protamine
Humalog Mix25, Humalog Mix50
10–15 min
Not available
Not available
Mixed Insulin Analogues
insulin aspart/aspart protamine
NovoMix 30
10–15 min
60–90 min
15–18 h
Classes of insulin preparations. Adapted from Therapeutic Choices 6th edition.
CDA guideline on insulin for Type 1 diabetes, including description of basal-bolus regimen by carb counting:
http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/Browse/Chapter12
Examples of insulin regimens from CDA:
http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/Browse/Appendices/Appendix3
Self monitoring:
http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/executivesummary/ch9