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Types of Insulin
Many people have to take more than one type of insulin. For example, some people may need to take a long- or intermediate-acting insulin to provide a basal insulin level throughout the day, along with a short- or rapid-acting insulin to help control blood sugar levels after meals. Although most insulins are administered by injection, research is underway to find new ways to take insulin (such as a skin patch or nasal spray).
Although people sometimes think of insulin as being a single medication, there are actually many different types of insulin. Different types of insulin are used in different ways and for different situations. Many people need to take more than one type of insulin.
Currently, there are four basic types of insulin:
- Rapid-acting:
- Short-acting: regular insulin (Humulin® R, Novolin R®)
- Intermediate-acting: NPH insulin (Humulin® N, Novolin® N)
- Long-acting:
In addition, there are two different types of combination insulins, including:
- Intermediate-acting plus rapid-acting:
- Insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro (Humalog® Mix50/50, Humalog® Mix75/25)
- Insulin aspart protamine/insulin aspart (NovoLog® Mix 50/50, NovoLog® Mix 70/30)
- Intermediate-acting plus short-acting: NPH insulin/regular insulin (Humulin® 70/30, Novolin® 70/30).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD