Long Acting Insulin

Summary

Long-acting insulins include the drugs glargine and detemir. Long acting insulins are given once daily, have no peak, and instead work steadily over a duration of around 24 hours. Long acting insulins cannot be mixed; they must be given in their own syringe.

Key Points

• Long Acting Insulin
  • Drug Names
    • Glargine (Lantus)
    • Detemir (Levemir)
  • Onset, Peak, Duration
    • Onset = 1-2 hours
    • Peak = ~1 day (no peak)
      • Exact peak for detemir depends on patient and ranges from 4-9 hours
      • Glargine’s peak is so slow and long (>12 h) that there is no apparent peak in dose
    • Duration = up to 24 hours
  • Nursing Considerations
    • Cannot be mixed
      • Never mix long-acting insulins with other insulin formulations (e.g. regular insulin)
    • Inject once daily, at the same time each day
    • Given to prevent, not correct, hyperglycemia
      • Long peak is intended to counteract baseline production of glucose by liver