Medicine & USMLE

Rapid Acting Insulin (Old)

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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