Medicine & USMLE

Rapid Acting Insulin

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Diabetes Drugs
  1. Insulin Overview
  2. Rapid Acting Insulin
  3. Short Acting Insulin
  4. Intermediate Acting Insulin
  5. Long Acting Insulin
  6. Metformin
  7. Sulfonylureas
  8. Meglitinides
  9. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
  10. DPP-4 Inhibitors
  11. Incretin Mimetics
  12. SGLT2 Inhibitors
  13. Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors
  14. Pramlintide

Summary

Rapid acting insulin is the fastest-acting insulin type that peaks around 1 hour after administration. It includes the drugs aspart, glulisine, and lispro. Rapid-acting insulin should be taken with meals to prevent post-meal blood sugar spikes.

Key Points

  • Rapid Acting Insulin
    • Drug Names
      • Aspart (Novolog)
      • Glulisine (Apidra)
      • Lispro (Humalog)
    • Onset, Peak, Duration
      • Onset = 15 minutes after administration
      • Peak = 1 hour after administration
        • Peak time is the most important timing to know, since it’s at the peak that patients are most likely to experience hypoglycemia
      • Duration = 3-5 hours after administration
    • Administration
      • Give with meals
        • Patients should eat within 15 minutes of administration
      • Used on a sliding scale to correct hyperglycemia quickly