Learning the Different Types of Insulin

Insulin type

Common names

How long it works

How it is given

Human or regular insulin

Humulin®

Novolin®

• Starts to lower blood sugar within 30-60 minutes (half an hour to one hour)
• Most active 2-4 hours after injection
• Works for up to 6-8 hours after injection

• Injection or IV
• Usually given at the hospital if you stay overnight

Intermediate-acting insulin

NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin)

• Starts to work within 1 1/2 - 4 hours
• Most active 4-12 hours after injection
• Lasts for up to 24 hours

• Injection or insulin pen

Long-acting insulin

Insulin glargine (also called Lantus® or Basaglar®)

Insulin detemir (also called Levemir®)

Insulin degludec (also called Tresiba®)

• Insulin glargine: Lasts up to 24 hours
• Releases insulin slowly and steadily throughout the day and night
• Typically given at bedtime. In some cases, also given in the morning
• Insulin degludec can last up to 42 hour. The exact time can vary.

• Injection or insulin pen

Rapid-acting insulin

Lispro (Humalog® or Admelog®)

Aspart (Novolog®)

Glusilin (Apidra®)

• Starts to work in 15 minutes
• Most active 30 minutes to 3 hours after injection
• Works for up to 3-5 hours

• Injection or insulin pen