Table 48.4

Table 48.4—Insulin Preparations

Preparations	Onset	Peak	Duration
Insulin lispro (Humalog)	15 min	0.5–1.5 h	6–8 h
Insulin (eg, Humulin, Novolin)*
Regular	0.5–1 h	2–3 h	8–12 h
NPH	1–1.5 h	4–12 h	24 h
Insulin aspart (NovoLog)	30 min	1–3 h	3–5 h
Long-acting (Ultralente)	4–8 h	16–18 h	> 36 h
Insulin Glargine (Lantus)**	1–2 h	—	24 h
Insulin, zinc (Lente)	1–2.5 h	8–12 h	18–24 h
Isophane insulin & regular insulin inj. (Novolin 70/30)	30 min	2–12 h	24 h

NOTE: h = hour(s); inj = injectable; min = minute(s); NPH = neutral protamine Hagedorn (insulin).

* Also available as mixtures of NPH and regular in 50 : 50 proportions.

** To convert from NPH dosing, give same number of units once a day. For patients taking NPH twice a day, decrease the total daily units by 20% and titrate on basis of response. Starting dose in insulin-naive patients is 10 U once daily at bedtime.

SOURCE: Reuben DB, Herr KA, Pacala JT, et al. Geriatrics At Your Fingertips: 2006, 8th ed. New York: American Geriatrics Society; 2006:Table 36. Reprinted with permission.