Insulin Class*

Onset of action

Peak

Duration of action

When to Use

Ultra short Acting*

Lispro (Humalog)†

Aspart (Novarapid)†

Glulisine (Aphidra)

15 mins

15 - 30 mins

1 hour

30 - 90 mins

1 - 3 hours

30 - 60 mins

2 - 4 hours

3 - 5 hours

4 - 5 hours

4 hours

Administered at mealtimes, just before or after the meals

Short acting*

Humulin S (Actrapid)

Insuman Rapid

30 min

30 mins

2 - 3 hours

1.5 - 2.5 hours

3 - 6 hours

Administered 30 mins before meals or after if unpredictable

Intermediate Acting*

Humulin

Human insulatard

Isophane

2 - 4 hours

4 - 12 hours

12 - 18 hours

Administered twice daily. Not dependent on meals

Long Acting*

Glargine

Determir

Degludec

2 hours

6 hours

1 - 2 hours

Do not peak

No peak

Up to 24 hours

24 hours

14 - 24 hours

>40 hours

Administered once a day and not dependent on meals

Fixed Dose*

Humalog Mix

· 25 (Lispro + Protamine)

· Humalog Mix 50 (Lispro + Protamine)

Novamix (Aspart + Protamine)

· Novamix 30

· Novamix 50

NPH (Isophane + Regular insulin)

· 70/30

· 50/50

Mixtard (soluble insulin + Isophane)

· 30/70

· 40/60

· 50/50

Degludec/Aspart (70/30)

5 - 6 mins

30 - 60 mins

5 - 15 mins

30 - 60 mins

30 mins

15 mins

Variable peaks

(Lispro + Protamine)

Dual (Protamine + Aspart)

Dual (NPH/Regular)

Dual (soluble insulin + Isophane)

Dual (Degludec + Aspart)

10 - 16 hours

10 - 16 mins

10 - 16 hours

>40 hours

Administered twice daily with food as basal insulin plus regimen