How long insulin to act

This means that it contains units of insulin per milliliter of liquid. While the strength of insulin varies, its action depends on three characteristics: onset, peak time, and duration. Onset refers to the length of time it takes for the insulin to start lowering the blood sugar level. Peak time refers to the time when the insulin is at its maximum efficacy in lowering blood sugar levels. Lastly, duration refers to how long insulin continues to lower blood sugar levels for. Insulin is not available in pill form because your digestive enzymes can break it down.

Insulin is, after all, a protein. Injecting it under the fat of the skin effectively transports it to the blood. There are several different types of insulin available for people who have diabetes:. Researchers have pointed out that the behavior of insulin after administration can vary.

This means that there is a tendency for insulin not to follow the standard onset for it to start working. There are different factors that influence the absorption of insulin. People with diabetes typically use three regions as the injection sites for their insulin: the upper arm, upper leg, and abdomen. Out of the three sites, the abdomen results in the most effective and rapid absorption of insulin. The upper leg region results in the slowest. The higher the insulin concentration, the more rapid the diffusion and rate of absorption.

The most common insulin formulation is U, but U and old U, which is no longer manufactured, are also available. Blood sugar measurements can vary depending on your lifestyle. Stress levels, how often you exercise, and how fast your body absorbs food can affect measurements. Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy can, too. Illness, traveling, or a change in your routine may mean that you have to monitor your blood sugar level more often. Last Updated: August 17, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone.

Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Exercise can help people who have diabetes. It can help control your weight, lower your blood sugar level, and….

What you eat is closely connected to the amount of sugar in your blood. The right food choices will…. There are 3 tools that…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines. Naltrexone for Alcoholism. Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home. Why do I need to take insulin? Path to improved health How often will I need to take insulin? Do I need to monitor my blood sugar level? When should I take insulin? Types of insulin: Rapid-acting insulin such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glulisine starts working in about 15 minutes.

It lasts for 3 to 5 hours. Short-acting insulin such as regular insulin starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts 5 to 8 hours. Intermediate-acting insulin such as insulin NPH starts working in 1 to 3 hours and lasts 12 to 16 hours.

Long-acting insulin such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir starts working in about 1 hour and lasts 20 to 26 hours. Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin.

What is rapid-acting insulin? How can it help control my blood sugar level? When do I take rapid-acting insulin? Can I mix rapid-acting insulin with other types of insulin?

How do I prepare the correct dose of insulin? Wash your hands. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because it would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food.

It must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood. In some rare cases insulin can lead to an allergic reaction at the injection site. Talk to your doctor if you believe you may be experiencing a reaction. Premixed insulin can be helpful for people who have trouble drawing up insulin out of two bottles and reading the correct directions and dosages.

It is also useful for those who have poor eyesight or dexterity and is convenient for people whose diabetes has been stabilized on this combination. In an inhaled insulin product, Afrezza, became available in the U. Afrezza is a rapid-acting inhaled insulin that is administered at the beginning of each meal and can be used by adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Afrezza is not a substitute for long-acting insulin. Afrezza must be used in combination with injectable long-acting insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes and in type 2 patients who use long-acting insulin.

There are three main groups of insulins: Fast-acting, Intermediate-acting and Long-acting insulin. Rapid Acting Insulin Analogs Insulin Aspart, insulin Lyspro, Insulin Glulisine which have an onset of action of 5 to 15 minutes, peak effect in 1 to 2 hours and duration of action that lasts hours. With all doses, large and small, the onset of action and the time to peak effect is similar, The duration of insulin action is, however, affected by the dose — so a few units may last 4 hours or less, while 25 or 30 units may last 5 to 6 hours.

As a general rule, assume that these insulins have duration of action of 4 hours. The larger the dose of regular the faster the onset of action, but the longer the time to peak effect and the longer the duration of the effect. NPH Human Insulin which has an onset of insulin effect of 1 to 2 hours, a peak effect of 4 to 6 hours, and duration of action of more than 12 hours.

Very small doses will have an earlier peak effect and shorter duration of action, while higher doses will have a longer time to peak effect and prolonged duration.