Insulins onset peak and duration

RAPID-acting insulins

Insulin lispro, insulin aspart

Rapid-acting insulin onset

5-15 min

Rapid-acting peak

30 min

Rapid-acting duration

3-5 hrs

Short-acting insulin

Regular insulin

Short-acting insulin onset

30-40 min

Short-acting peak

90-120 min

Short-acting duration

6-8 hrs

Intermediate-acting insulin

NPH (the cloudy drug)

Intermediate-acting onset

1-4 hours

Intermediate-acting peak

4-8 hours

Intermediate-acting duration

12 hrs

Long-acting insulin

Insulin glargine, insulin detemir

Long-acting onset

1-2 hrs

Long-acting peak

None

Long-acting duration

12-24 hrs