All the Common Insulins – Refrigerated & Retail Pharmacy Use

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing generic and brand names, forms, and key clinical notes for common insulin preparations discussed in the lecture.

Insulin lispro (Humalog, Admelog)

Rapid-acting insulin given right before meals; available in vial and pen forms.

Insulin aspart (Novolog, Fiasp)

Rapid-acting insulin; vial or pen. Fiasp formulation absorbs slightly faster than Novolog.

Insulin glulisine (Apidra)

Rapid-acting insulin; vial or pen; less commonly used than lispro or aspart.

Insulin regular (Humulin R, Novolin R)

Short-acting (regular) insulin supplied in vials; frequently used in hospitals.

Insulin NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N)

Intermediate-acting insulin; cloudy suspension in vial or pen; can be mixed with regular insulin.

Insulin glargine (Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo)

Long-acting basal insulin; Lantus available in vials, all in pens; do not mix with other insulins.

Insulin detemir (Levemir)

Long-acting insulin in vial or pen; has a shorter duration of action than glargine.

Insulin degludec (Tresiba)

Ultra-long-acting insulin (>24 h) supplied only in pens.

Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30

Premixed insulin containing 70 % NPH and 30 % regular insulin.

Humalog Mix 75/25

Premixed insulin containing 75 % neutral protamine lispro (NPL) and 25 % lispro.

Novolog Mix 70/30

Premixed insulin containing 70 % protamine-bound insulin aspart and 30 % insulin aspart.

Rapid-acting insulins

Group that includes lispro, aspart, and glulisine; intended for mealtime glucose control.

Long-acting insulins

Basal insulins glargine, detemir, and degludec; provide prolonged glucose control and are not mixed with other insulins.

Characteristics of NPH insulin

Intermediate action, cloudy appearance, can be mixed with regular insulin, and used in many premixed formulations.