Medicine & USMLE

Long 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. DPP-4 Inhibitors
  7. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
  8. Meglitinides
  9. Metformin
  10. Sulfonylureas
  11. SGLT2 Inhibitors

Summary

Long-acting insulin is the slowest form of insulin that has no apparent peak. Important drug names to know include glargine and detemir. When administering long acting insulin, do not mix it with any other insulin types. Long acting insulin is administered once daily, usually at bedtime.

Key Points

  • Long-Acting Insulin
    • Drug Names
      • Glargine (Lantus)
      • Detemir (Levemir)
    • Onset, Peak, Duration
      • Onset = 1-2 hours
      • No Peak
        • Long acting insulin works so slowly that there is no apparent peak
      • Duration = 24 hours
    • Administration
      • Do not mix
        • Long acting insulin cannot be mixed in the same syringe with other insulin formulations
      • Give once daily
        • Because long acting insulin works so slowly and gradually, and because the duration is about 24 hours, long acting insulin is only given once per day
      • Usually given at bedtime