Rapid Acting Insulin (Old)

Summary

Rapid-acting insulins include the drugs aspart, lispro, and glulisine. These insulins work the fastest among all insulin types, with a peak around 30 minutes after administration. Clinically, rapid-acting insulins are usually given with meals to counteract the blood sugar spike that occurs after eating.

Key Points

• Rapid Acting Insulin
  • Drug Names
    • Aspart (Novolog)
    • Lispro (Humalog)
    • Glulisine (Apidra)
  • Onset, Peak, Duration
    • Onset = 10-15 minutes
    • Peak = ~30 minutes
      • Exact peak depends on patient and ranges from 30 minutes - 3 hours
    • Duration = 3-5 hours
  • Nursing Considerations
    • Give with meals
      • Rapid onset of these insulins is able to counteract postprandial (after meal or food-related) glucose spikes
    • Used on a sliding scale to correct hyperglycemia quickly