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Rapid Insulins

Many people who’ve tried these faster insulins report that their control is improved and that they feel better. The great advantage of fast insulins is that they match the “action time” for most meals. You can take them as you begin eating, rather than the 30 to 45 minutes prior to eating required of Regular. No longer do you need to accurately anticipate when you (or your young child with diabetes) will begin eating. In addition, Humalog and Novolog leave your body faster so you don’t have residual insulin causing low blood sugars in the late afternoon or, even worse, in the middle of the night.

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Insulin Comparison

Information based on manufacturer prescribing information and clinical studies.

Types of Insulin

Insulin is available in several strengths. U-100 is the most common. U-100 means there are 100 units of insulin in one milliliter of fluid. Other strengths include U-200, U-300, and U-500. For example, U-500 is five times more concentrated than U-100 regular insulin.

The 6 Types of Insulin: A Guide to Regular, Short, and Long-Acting Insulins

There are different types of insulin to help keep blood glucose within target range. You can take insulin as an inhaler, through a syringe, insulin pen, or insulin pump.

What types of insulin are there and how do they act?

Here are the types of insulin that are on the market, as well as factors that can affect their action...

Afrezza – The Second Generation Inhaled Insulin

In 2006, Exubera entered and had a short life on the market, as it lasted 13 months. Pfizer withdrew the first generation inhaled insulin, for several reasons – lack of support among practitioners and patients, large device, confusing dosing regimen, and high cost. In June 2014, the Food and Drug Administration approved Afrezza for use as a bolus insulin, in conjunction with basal insulin, for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unlike injectable bolus insulin, Afrezza cannot be used for the management of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Breathe deeply: Sanofi will no longer market Afrezza inhaled insulin

This is a big step back for MannKind. After months of disappointing sales, Sanofi has finally ended its bid to market MannKind’s Afrezza inhaled insulin product, which was one of the more controversial and closely watched product launches in the pharmaceutical industry over the last few years. In a memo to employees, the drug maker said it plans to transfer rights to the product back to MannKind in April.

How Afrezza Inhaled Insulin Makes My Life Better

When I first learned about Afrezza, it seemed like it was the perfect stealth solution to taking insulin, but now that I’ve been taking it for over a year, I know that’s a mistake. The Afrezza device whistles on inhale.

Humalog vs. Humulin R

Humalog contains the active ingredient insulin lispro, which is a rapid-acting insulin. Humulin R contains a short-acting insulin called insulin regular as its active ingredient. Humalog and Humulin R help manage sharp increases in blood sugar that happen when you eat. The dosage of each drug is slightly different.

Humulin N vs. Novolin N: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Humulin N and Novolin N are both brand names for the same drug, called insulin NPH. Insulin NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin. Intermediate-acting insulin lasts longer in your body than natural insulin does.

Inhaled Insulin Flops Again

Afrezza, the inhaled insulin that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 after years of anticipation, was abandoned last month by the drug company marketing it — Sanofi — after a measly $5 million in sales during the first nine months of 2015. To put that number in perspective, this is a product that cost $1.8 billion to develop, and that Sanofi paid $925 million for the right to market.

Insulin Pens: Improving Adherence and Reducing Costs

Pen needles are more convenient to use, less painful, and result in better adherence and improved health outcomes for patients with diabetes than traditional pen/ needle/vial administration of insulin.

Is Novolin the same as Humulin?

There are several different types of Novolin and several different types of Humulin and each one has been made to last for a specific length of time...

My review of Afrezza Rapid Acting Insulin

Who wants to get comfortable with a product that may not be available for the long term? But the company seems to find innovative ways to continue functioning, and even expand. So two weeks ago, I started my “PB & A” experiment (pump basal & Afrezza) for all of my bolus dosing.

NovoLog vs. Humalog

Both NovoLog and Humalog are rapid-acting insulins. They’re used to help manage blood sugar spikes that happen after eating. Both medications come in similar forms. However, NovoLog and Humalog contain different active ingredients.

Resources

Afrezza

Afrezza is the only rapid acting insulin available that can be inhaled. Other mealtime insulin options are delivered through injection. Afrezza can potentially save you about 1,000 needle sticks per year.

Humalog (Lispro}

Humalog mealtime insulins are used to treat people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar.

Humulin

For the treatment of high blood sugar (glucose) levels, 3 types of Humulin U-100 insulin can help manage diabetes. Each type varies in how fast it starts working and how long the effects last.

Lantus (Glargine}

Lantus® is a long-acting insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lantus® should be administered once a day at the same time every day.

Levemir (Detemir)

Levemir® is a long-acting insulin that can be taken once or twice daily to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes.

NovoLog

NovoLog® is a rapid-acting insulin that helps lower mealtime blood sugar spikes in adults and children with diabetes. It has been proven to help control high blood sugar in people with diabetes when taken with a long-acting insulin.

NPH (Isophane)

NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin is an insoluble intermediate-acting insulin preparation first created in 1946. The name refers to N for neutral, P for protamine (a protein), and H for its creator scientist name Hans Christian Hagedorn. I

Regular Insulin (Novolin R ™ or Humulin R ™)

Insulin, regular when administrated subcutaneously, should be injected 30 to 40 minutes before each meal.

Tresiba

Tresiba® controls blood sugar for 24 hours, for powerful A1C reduction in patients one year of age or older with diabetes.

Lilly

Since we launched the world’s first commercially available insulin in 1923, we’ve never stopped pushing the boundaries of research and science to improve diabetes care.

Nova Nordisk

Novo Nordisk has been driving change for better health since 1923.

Sanofi

As a leader in the development of insulin treatment and insulin pens, Sanofi has been working for nearly a century to advance therapeutic options for diabetes. Going beyond medicines and recognizing the individual needs of each person living with diabetes, Sanofi’s unique approach brings together a broad insulin-based portfolio with the power of digital and personal technology.