Appendix 6

Types of Insulin

Types of Insulin
Insulin type (trade name) Onset Peak Duration
Bolus (preprandial or mealtime) insulins
Rapid-acting insulin analogues (clear)
  • Insulin aspart (NovoRaipd®)
  • Insulin glulisine (Apidra®)
  • Insulin lispro (Humalog®) U-100 U-200
  • Faster-acting insulin aspart (Fiasp®)
9-20min
10-15min
10-15min
4min
1-1.5h
1-1.5h
1-2h
0.5-1.5h
3-5h
3.5-5h
3-4.75h
3-5h
Short-acting insulins (clear)
  • Insulin regular [Humulin®-R, Novolin® ge Toronto]
  • Insulin regular [Entuzity® (U-500)]
30min
15min
2-3h
4-8h
6.5h
17-24h
Basal insulins
Intermediate-acting (cloudy)
  • Insulin neutral protamine Hagedorn
    (Humulin®-N, Novolin® ge NPH)
1-3h
5-8h
Up to 18h
Long-acting insulin (clear)
  • Insulin detemir (Levemir®)
  • Insulin glargine U-100 (Lantus®)
  • Insulin glargine U-300 (Toujeo®)
  • Insulin glargine biosimilar (Basaglar®)
  • Degludec U-100, U-200 (Tresiba®)
90min
Not applicable
U-100 glardine 24h,
detemir 16-24h
U-300 glargine >30h
degludec 42h
Premixed insulins
Premixed regular insulin –NPH (cloudy)
  • Humulin® 30/70
  • Novolin® ge 30/70, 40/60, 50/50
A single vial or cartridge contains a fixed ratio of insulin
Premixed insulin analogues (cloudy)
  • Biphasic insulin aspart (NovoMix® 30)
  • Insulin lispro/lispro protamine
    (Humalog® Mix25 and Mix50)
(% of rapid-acting or short-acting insulin to % of intermediate-acting insulin)

Data represents estimations derived from pooled data analysis using various experimental conditions. There is significant inter- and intra-individual variation in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics depending on a variety of clinical factors, including dose.

Physicians should refer to the most current edition of Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (Canadian Pharmacists Association; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and products monographs for detailed information.

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