Which insulin is rapid-acting?

Which insulin is rapid-acting?

• A. Lispro
• B. Regular insulin
• C. Ultralente
• D. NPH insulin

Answer: (A)

Rapid-acting insulins are the ones given to cover meals because they start working quickly after injection and have a short duration. Lispro is a rapid-acting analog that begins to act in about 5–15 minutes, peaks around 1–2 hours, and lasts roughly 3–5 hours. This makes it well suited for controlling the rise in blood glucose after eating. Regular insulin is short-acting but has a slower onset (about 30 minutes) and a longer peak and duration than lispro, so it’s not as fast-acting. Ultralente and NPH are longer-acting insulins with slower onset and extended durations, not rapid in their action. Therefore, lispro best fits the rapid-acting category.

Rapid-acting insulins are the ones given to cover meals because they start working quickly after injection and have a short duration. Lispro is a rapid-acting analog that begins to act in about 5–15 minutes, peaks around 1–2 hours, and lasts roughly 3–5 hours. This makes it well suited for controlling the rise in blood glucose after eating.

Regular insulin is short-acting but has a slower onset (about 30 minutes) and a longer peak and duration than lispro, so it’s not as fast-acting. Ultralente and NPH are longer-acting insulins with slower onset and extended durations, not rapid in their action. Therefore, lispro best fits the rapid-acting category.