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. 2006 Jun;1(2):107–113. doi: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.2.107

Table 1.

Pharmacodynamics of human insulin and insulin analogs1

Insulin type Time to onset of action (h) Time to peak action (h) Duration of action (h)
Human insulin
Rapid-acting

  • Regular insulin

 0.5–1 2–4 6–8
Intermediate-acting

  • NPH insulin

 2–4 5–7 14–24

  • Insulin lente

 3–4 4–8 16–20
Long-acting

  • Ultralente insulin

 6–10 Unpredictable 20–24
Insulin analogs
Rapid-acting

  • Insulin lispro

 0.25 1.5 3–5

  • Insulin aspart

 0.25 1.5 3–5

  • Insulin glulisine

 0.25 1 2
Long-acting

  • Insulin glargine

 2–4 Peakless 20–24
1

Wide variations occur among patients. (Bode 2004; Engel et al 2004; Watts and Kern 2004; Watts and Ober 2005).

Abbreviations: NPH, neutral protamine Hagedorn.