Version July 2025
| (A) Prandial insulin | |||
| Insulin type | Approximate onset of action | Effective peak | Approximate duration of action* |
| Lispro (U-100, U-200), lispro-aabc (U-100, U-200), aspart, faster aspart, glulisine¶ | 15 to 30 minutes | 1 to 3 hours | 4 to 6 hours |
| Regular (U-100) | 30 minutes | 1.5 to 3.5 hours | 8 hours |
| (B) Basal insulin | |||
| Insulin type | Half-lifeΔ | Effective peak | Approximate duration of action* |
| NPH | 4.4 hours | 4 to 6 hours | 12 hours |
| Insulin glargine | |||
| 12 hours | No pronounced peak | 20 to >24 hours |
| 19 hours | No pronounced peak | 20 to >24 hours |
| Insulin degludec (U-100, U-200) | 25 hours | No pronounced peak | >24 hours |
| Insulin icodec◊ (available in selected regions) | Approximately 1 week | No peak effect§ | ≥168 hours |
* Glucose-lowering action may vary considerably in different individuals or within the same individual; the duration of action is dose dependent.
¶ Lispro-aabc and faster aspart have quicker pharmacokinetic profiles than standard lispro and aspart.
Δ In general, it takes 4 half-lives to reach steady state. Dose adjustments should not be made until after steady state is achieved.
◊ Insulin icodec has not been approved for use in children and adolescents with diabetes.
§ For the initial few injections of insulin icodec, the maximal glucose-lowering effect occurs 2 to 4 days after injection. However, after insulin icodec reaches steady state (ie, after 2 to 4 weekly injections), no pronounced peak effect on glucose lowering is evident.
