Type 1 diabetes(T1D):T1D, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Different factors, including genetics and some viruses, may contribute to T1D.
Type 2 diabetes(T2D):T2D is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. In T2D, the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Genetics and environmental factors, such as being overweight and inactive, have been established as contributing factors.
All patients with T1D and patients with more serious forms of T2D need to take insulin medications to help their body regulate blood sugar.
There are manytypes of insulinmedications available. Each kind has its own unique action and they are not interchangeable. The chart below will help you understand how the various insulin medications work and why your healthcare provider has prescribed them for you.
Insulin is injected into the fat tissue, which helps it absorb into the bloodstream. Some insulin medications work faster than others, but don’t last as long. And some insulins last longer, but work more gradually than others. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history to determine the insulin medication most appropriate for you.
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Characteristics of Insulin Action
There are three characteristics that define how insulin medication function:
Types of Insulin
There are six main types of insulin available.
Insulin Types and Actions Chart
This chart covers the different brands ofinsulin, how long it takes for each to start lowering blood sugar, when the peak of action will occur, and how long it will continue to work. Read the product information provided with your medication and follow the instructions from your healthcare provider and pharmacist for using insulin.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Insulin, medicines, & other diabetes treatments.Heise T, Nosek L, Roepstorff C, et al.Distinct prandial and basal glucose-lowering effects of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (idegasp) at steady state in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Diabetes Ther. 2014;5(1):255-265. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0070-2American Diabetes Association.Insulin basics.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Insulin, medicines, & other diabetes treatments.Heise T, Nosek L, Roepstorff C, et al.Distinct prandial and basal glucose-lowering effects of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (idegasp) at steady state in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Diabetes Ther. 2014;5(1):255-265. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0070-2American Diabetes Association.Insulin basics.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Insulin, medicines, & other diabetes treatments.Heise T, Nosek L, Roepstorff C, et al.Distinct prandial and basal glucose-lowering effects of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (idegasp) at steady state in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Diabetes Ther. 2014;5(1):255-265. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0070-2American Diabetes Association.Insulin basics.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Insulin, medicines, & other diabetes treatments.
Heise T, Nosek L, Roepstorff C, et al.Distinct prandial and basal glucose-lowering effects of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (idegasp) at steady state in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Diabetes Ther. 2014;5(1):255-265. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0070-2
American Diabetes Association.Insulin basics.
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