How fast does nph work

Skip Navigation. Top of the page. Topic Overview Insulin is used to treat people who have diabetes. Types of insulin Type Examples Appearance When it starts to work onset The time of greatest effect peak How long it lasts duration Rapid-acting insulins work over a narrow, more predictable range of time.

Apidra glulisine , Humalog lispro , Novolog aspart Clear 5—30 minutes 30 minutes—3 hours 3—5 hours Rapid-acting insulin also comes in a form that can be inhaled through the mouth. Humulin R, Novolin R insulin regular Clear 30 minutes 3 hours 4—12 hours U— , Up to 24 hours U— Intermediate-acting insulins contain added substances buffers that make them work over a long time and that may make them look cloudy.

Lantus glargine , Levemir detemir Clear 3—4 hours None Up to 24 hours Ultra Long-acting insulins have no peak and last for 24 hours or more. Toujeo glargine U— , Tresiba degludec U and U— Clear 6 hours glargine , 1 hour degludec None 24 hours or more glargine , 42 hours or more degludec Mixtures of insulin can sometimes be combined in the same syringe, for example, intermediate-acting and rapid- or short-acting insulin.

References Other Works Consulted Insulin degludec injection Facts and Comparisons eAnswers. Accessed December 30, Insulin detemir injection Accessed May 13, Insulin glargine rDNA origin injection Insulin glulisine rDNA origin injection Insulin isophane injection This clumping causes slow and unpredictable absorption from the subcutaneous tissue and a dose-dependent duration of action i. In contrast, insulin analogs have a more predictable duration of action.

Insulin has been available since It was initially extracted from beef and pork pancreases. Synthetic human insulin has replaced beef and pork insulin in the US. And now, insulin analogs are replacing human insulin. Insulin is usually injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin. The total daily dose is given as 1 to 2 injections per day, given 30 to 60 minutes before a meal or bedtime. Some patients may initially be given a single daily dose 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, but hour blood glucose control may not be possible with this regimen.

Why is insulin so expensive? The manufacturers make the drug and set the price. This is part of the reason why insulin is so expensive. There's no limit to how high the price can be set, and they don't have to disclose how they set it. What causes diabetes? Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system, the body's system for fighting infection, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.

Scientists think type 1 diabetes is caused by genes and environmental factors, such as viruses, that might trigger the disease.

What is the best long acting insulin? Long-acting insulin insulin glargine Lantus , lasts up to 24 hours. This is three times more concentrated than U long-acting insulin. Be sure to check the concentration of your insulin so you take the right amount. Insulin is made by different companies. Make sure you use the same type of insulin consistently. Rapid-acting insulins work over a narrow, more predictable range of time. Because they work quickly, they are used most often at the start of a meal.

Rapid-acting insulin acts most like insulin that is produced by the human pancreas. It quickly drops the blood sugar level and works for a short time. If a rapid-acting insulin is used instead of a short-acting insulin at the start of dinner, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night.

Short-acting insulins take effect and wear off more quickly than long-acting insulins. A short-acting insulin is often used 30—60 minutes before a meal so that it has time to work. These liquid insulins are clear and do not settle out when the bottle vial sits for a while.

Intermediate- and long-acting insulins contain added substances buffers that make them work over a long time and that may make them look cloudy. When these types of insulin sit for even a few minutes, the buffered insulin settles to the bottom of the vial.