Different kinds of insulin

No two people are the same, and no two people have exactly the same schedule. We all have our own day-to-day routines, and that means the same injection schedule won't work for everyone. One of the benefits of insulin is that there are different kinds, with different profiles.

  • Rapid-acting insulin analogues are taken just as you're sitting down to eat a meal, or just after you've finished eating a meal.
  • Short-acting insulin is taken 30 minutes before you eat.
  • Intermediate-acting insulin is taken once or twice a day, at breakfast or bedtime—or both.
  • Pre-mixed insulin is a combination of short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin. You take it 30 minutes before a meal, and it can last for up to 24 hours—depending on the combination you're taking.
  • If you take long-acting insulin, you might only need one injection daily.

You may also take a combination of these insulins, for the best sugar control possible. What works for one person might not work for another, and that's why it's nice to have a choice. Work with your doctor to find the insulin that's right for you.

Watch the video about different kinds of insulin:

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