Insulin types — onset, peak, duration

Rapid (aspart, lispro): onset 10 to 15 min, peak 1 to 2 h, duration 3 to 5 h. Give with the meal in front of the person. Short (regular): onset 30 min, peak 2 to 3 h, duration 6 to 8 h. The only one given intravenously. Intermediate (NPH): onset 1 to 3 h, peak 5 to 8 h, duration up to 18 h. Cloudy; roll, never shake. Long (glargine, detemir, degludec): onset 90 min, no marked peak, duration 24 h or more. Never mix in the same syringe. When mixing NPH with a rapid insulin, draw the clear before the cloudy.

Clinical content reviewed by Ducamelle Louis, Registered Nurse