Diabetes and Insulin Analogs

A short time ago insulin products called "insulin analogs" have been formed so that the structure differs slightly from human insulin, (with respect of amino acids) to change onset and peak of action. People with Type 1 diabetes usually need a combination of different types of insulin in order to control blood sugar with ease. The following table lists some of the more common insulin preparations available today. Onset, peak, and duration of action are approximate for each insulin product, as there may be variability depending on each individual, the injection site and the individual exercise program

Types of Insulin Examples Onset of Action Peak of Action Duration of Action
Rapid-acting Humalog (lispro)
Eli Lilly 15 minutes 30-90 minutes 3-5 hours
NovoLog (aspart)
Novo Nordisk 15 minutes 40-50 minutes 3-5 hours
Short-acting (Regular) Humulin R
Eli Lilly
Novolin R
Novo Nordisk 30-60 minutes
50-120 minutes 5-8 hours
Intermediate-acting (NPH) Humulin N
Eli Lilly
Novolin N
Novo Nordisk 1-3 hours 8 hours 20 hours
Humulin L
Eli Lilly
Novolin L
Novo Nordisk 1-2.5 hours 7-15 hours 18-24 hours
Mixed acting Humulin 50/50
Humulin 70/30
Humalog Mix 75/25
Humalog Mix 50/50
Eli Lilly
Novolin 70/30
Novolog Mix 70/30
Novo Nordisk
The onset, peak, and duration of action of these mixtures would reflect a composite of the intermediate and short- or rapid-acting components, with one peak of action.
Long-acting Ultralente
Eli Lilly 4-8 hours 8-12 hours 36 hours
Lantus (glargine)
Aventis 1 hour None 24 hours