Determining the "fastest" insulin depends on the specific type. Several insulin types offer varying onset times, impacting how quickly they lower blood sugar.
Rapid-Acting vs. Ultra-Rapid-Acting Insulins
While both rapid-acting and ultra-rapid-acting insulins work quickly, ultra-rapid insulins boast even faster onset times. This difference is crucial for managing blood sugar spikes after meals.
Rapid-Acting Insulins:
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Examples: Lispro (Humalog), Aspart (Novolog), Glulisine (Apidra)
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Onset: Typically 10-30 minutes.
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Duration: 3-5 hours (depending on the specific insulin).
- Lispro (Humalog): 15-30 minutes onset, 3-5 hours duration.
- Aspart (Novolog): 10-20 minutes onset, 3-5 hours duration.
- Glulisine (Apidra): 20-30 minutes onset, 1-2.5 hours duration.
Ultra-Rapid-Acting Insulins:
- These insulins are designed for even faster action, offering increased flexibility in mealtime insulin dosing. Specific brand names and detailed onset times vary.
- Resources like Everyday Health's guide to ultra-rapid insulins provide more detailed information.
Other Insulin Types & Their Speed:
- Regular Human Insulin: This type has a slower onset than rapid-acting insulins, starting to work within 30 minutes to 1 hour. Its peak effect takes 2-4 hours, and it lasts 6-8 hours. It's not as fast as rapid-acting or ultra-rapid-acting options. More detail on this type can be found in this resource.
The speed of insulin action is a critical factor in diabetes management. The choice of insulin type depends on individual needs and should always be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.
