Onset, Peak, and Duration of Action of Human Insulin Preparations*
Insulin Preparation | Onset of Action | Peak Action | Duration of Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Rapid-acting | |||
Lispro, aspart, glulisine† | 5–15 minutes | 45–75 minutes | 3–5 hours |
Inhaled regular | < 15 minutes | 50 minutes | 2–3 hours |
Short-acting | |||
Regular† | 30–60 minutes | 2–4 hours | 6–8 hours |
Intermediate-acting | |||
Insulin isophane (NPH)‡ | About 2 hours | 4–12 hours | 18–26 hours |
U-500 regular | 30 minutes | 4–8 hours | 13–24 hours |
Long-acting | |||
Glargine | 3–4 hours | No peak | 24 hours |
U-300 insulin glargine | 6 hours | No peak | 24 hours |
Detemir | 1–2 hours | No peak | 14–24 hours |
Degludec | 1–2 hours | No peak | > 40 hours |
Premixed | |||
70% Insulin isophane (NPH)/30% regular | 30–60 minutes | Dual (NPH & regular) | 10–16 hours |
50% Insulin isophane (NPH)/50% regular | 0.5–1 hour | 2–12 hours | 10–16 hours |
50% Lispro protamine/50% lispro | 30–60 minutes | 10–16 hours | |
75% Lispro protamine/25% lispro | 5–15 minutes | 10–16 hours | |
70% Aspart protamine/30% aspart | 5–15 minutes | 10–16 hours | |
70% Degludec/30% aspart | 15 minutes | Dual (degludec & aspart) | > 40 hours |
* Times are approximate, assume subcutaneous administration, and may vary with injection technique and factors influencing absorption. | |||
† Lispro and aspart are also available in premixed forms with intermediate-acting insulins. | |||
‡ Insulin isophane also exists in premixed form (insulin isophane/regular). | |||