Types of Insulin and their Action (onset, peak, and duration)

Rapid acting insulin

Lispro, Humalog, and Novolog have an onset of 15 minutes a peak of 30 to 90 minutes and a duration of 4-5 hours

Short acting insulin

Regular insulin has an onset of 30 minutes to 1 hour a peak of 2-4 hours and a duration of 4-6 hours

Intermediate acting insulin

NPH insulin has an onset of 1-2 hours, a peak of 6-12 hours, and a duration of 18 hours

Long acting insulin

Lantus insulin has an onset of 1 hour, no peak and a duration of 24 hours

Humalog, Novolog, and Lispro

Rapid acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes a peak of 30 to 90 minutes, and a duration of 4-5 hours

Regular insulin

Short acting insulin with an onset of 30 minutes to an hour, a peak of 2-4 hours, and a duration of 4-6 hours

NPH insulin

Intermediate acting insulin with an onset of 1-2 hours a peak of 6-12 hours and a duration of 18 hours

Lantus insulin

Long acting insulin with an onset of 1 hour, no peak and a duration of 24 hours