Their long duration of action helps in reducing the frequency of dosing throughout the day. Dosing is usually during the night time after meals. They provide a plateau effect over 12 to 24 hours. Long-acting insulins, such as glargine and detemir, start action in 1 to 2 hours. Dosing is usually twice a day and helps maintain the blood sugar levels throughout the day. Intermediate-acting insulins (NPH) start the action in 1 to 4 hours and peak in 4 to 8 hours. Patients take these agents before meals, and food is necessary within 30 minutes after its administration to avoid hypoglycemia. Short-acting (regular insulin) starts the action in 30 to 40 minutes and peaks in 90 to 120 minutes. They are generally used before meals and always used along with short-acting or long-acting insulins to control sugar levels throughout the day. Rapid-acting insulins (lispro and aspart) start their action in 5 to 15 minutes and peak in 30 minutes.
Brain cells: Involved in appetite regulationĭepending on the duration of action, insulin categorizes as short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting.
