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Abbott diabetes care

Thanks to Abbott Diabetes Care for their generous support in the printing and distribution of the Starter Kit since 2005.

A Starter Kit
For adults with type 1 diabetes

Insulin

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Knowing an insulin's type will tell you how fast it starts to work and how long it works. This is called action or activity. The chart below shows the time activity of some of the short acting, intermediate acting and long acting human insulins.

  • Onset - shows how long it usually takes for the insulin to start working.
  • Peak - The peak is when the insulin usually has its strongest effect.
  • Duration - The duration of activity is how long insulin continues to work.

Description

Brand names

Onset (minutes)

Peak (hours)

Duration (hours)

Ultra short acting

Humalog, NovoRapid

0 - 15

1

3.5 - 4.5

Short acting

Humulin R, Actrapid

30

2 - 5

6 - 8

Intermediate acting

Humulin NPH, Protaphane

60 - 90

4 - 12

16 - 24

Intermediate acting

Humulin L, Monotard

60 - 150

6 - 15

22 - 24

Long acting

Humulin UL, Ultratard

120 - 240

6 - 24

24 - 28

Long acting analog

Lantus

30 - 90

None

24

Long acting analog

Levemir

0 - 15

6 - 8

24

 

* Table illustrating the different forms of insulin that are available. 

Prepared by Pharmacy Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, June 2002 with supplementary information form Aventis Pharma, July 2004 and Nova Nordisk, February 2007 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 February 2012 )