Mealtime and Bolus:
Fast- and short-acting insulins are primarily used to balance glucose levels at mealtimes (called a bolus dose).
Fast-Acting Insulins:
There are currently three fast-acting insulins
1. Brand name: Novolog (generic name: aspart):
- Onset: 5-15 minutes
- Peak action: 1-3 hours
- Duration: 3-5 hours
2. Brand name: Apidra (generic name: glulisine):
- Onset: 5-15 minutes
- Peak action: 30 minutes-90 minutes
- Duration: 3-5 hours
3. Brand name: Humalog (generic name: lispro):
- Onset: 5-15 minutes
- Peak action: 30 minutes-90 minutes
- Duration: 3-5 hours
Short-Acting Insulin:
There are currently two short-acting insulins available. Both go by the generic name "regular" and are displayed as (R).
1. Brand name: Humulin (R):
- Onset: 5-15 minutes
- Peak action: 2-4 hours
- Duration: 5-8 hours
2. Brand name: Novolin (R):
- Onset: 5-15 minutes
- Peak action: 2-4 hours
- Duration: 5-8 hours
Sources:
Insulin. American Diabetes Association. " Consumer’s Guide 2011. " Diabetes Forecast, January 2011, Vol, 64, No. 1.
Hieronymus, L. M.S.Ed., A.P.R.N., B.C.-A.D.M., C.D.E., Geil, P. M.S., R.D., C.D.E. "Types of Insulin. " Diabetes Self-Management, 2009.
