Insulin Therapy

Fast-Acting Insulin

This type of insulin helps your body when you eat meals or snacks, or when your blood sugar is too high. 

There are three types: 

Ultra Rapid-Acting Insulin 

Examples: Fiasp (faster aspart), Lyumjev (ultra rapid lispro) 

Starts working: in 2–5 minutes 
When to take it: right before eating 
Peak: about 30-45 Minutes 
Lasts: 1.5-3 hours 

Think of this as the fastest superheros—it jumps into action almost instantly! 

Rapid-Acting Insulin 

Examples: Humalog (insulin lispro), Novorapid/Novolog (insulin aspart), Apidra (insulin glulisine) 

Starts working: in 15-20 minutes 
When to take it: 15 minutes right before a meal or snack 
Peak: 1.5–2.5 hours 
Lasts: 2–5 hours 

This superhero is fast and reliable—great for mealtimes and reducing high blood sugar! 

Short-Acting Insulin

Examples: Actrapid (regular insulin), Humulin R (regular insulin)

Starts working: about 30-45 minutes after injection 
When to take it: 30 minutes before eating 
Peak: 2–3 hours 
Lasts: 5–7 hours 

This helper needs more time to get ready—so you take it 30 minutes earlier

Basal Insulin (Background Insulin) 

This insulin works all day and night, giving your body a steady amount of insulin. 

You take it once or twice a day depending on the type. 

Long-Acting Basal Insulin 

Examples: Glargine (Lantus, Basaglar), Detemir (Levemir) 

Has no peak (very smooth and steady) 
Usually taken once a day on specific time 
Lasts 18–24 hours on average according to type 

Think of it as a night light – always on, always steady. 

Ultra Long-Acting Basal Insulin 

Examples: Degludec (Tresiba), Glargine U300 (Toujeo) 

Also has no peak 
Taken once a day 
Lasts 36–40 hours on average 

This is the longest-lasting helper – it keeps going even into the next day! 
 

Using Insulin Syringes

Syringes come in different sizes: 
1/3 cc = 30 units 
1/2 cc = 50 units 
1 cc = 100 units 

On the syringe: 
Each small line = 1 unit (30 & 50-unit syringes) 
Each small line = 2 units (100-unit syringes) 
Some syringes have half-unit markings 

Needles and syringes should be disposed of in a manner consistent with Universal Precautions and local waste disposal laws.  

Sites of injection

Insulin works best when it is injected into a layer of fat under the skin, above the muscle tissue.

Best spots: Abdomen (tummy), Thighs, Buttocks, Upper arms 

Rotate your injection spots

How do we inject insulin?

Step 1: Prepare the supplies
Insulin pen or syringe 
New needle 
Alcohol swab (if needed) 

Step 2: Wash you hands

Step 3: Prepare the dose
Make sure the number of units is correct. 
Use a new needle every time. 

Step 4: Choose an injection site 
Abdomen, arm, thigh, or buttock. 
Make sure the spot is not painful or lumpy. 

Step 5: Gently pinch the skin 
Especially for the arm and thighs in younger children. 

Step 6: Insert the needle at a 90° angle

Step 7: Press the pen or syringe slowly
Wait 10 seconds before removing the needle to ensure the full dose enters. 

Step 6: Dispose of the needle safely
Use a sharps disposal container. 

Storing Insulin

To keep your insulin working well: 

Check the storage instructions on the package 

Check the expiration date 

Shelf Life

Opened vials: good at room temperature (below 25°C) for 30 days 

Opened pens/cartridges: good for less than 30 days, depending on brand 

Unopened insulin: keep in the refrigerator at temperature (5 to 8 degrees Celsius) until expiration date