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Insulin Basics: The Types of Insulin At-A-Glance

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A point-of-care reference to help HCPs quickly identify insulin products, compare action profiles and understand practical considerations that may affect treatment decisions.

 

Written By: ADCES clinical staff

Updated: June, 2026

danatech · Insulin Types At-A-Glance

danatech Clinical Resource

Insulin Types At-A-Glance. A Quick Reference for Clinical Practice

Use this quick-reference chart to compare insulin products by type, concentration, onset, peak, and duration. This resource is designed for point-of-care reference and should always be used alongside current prescribing information.

Insulin TypeBasal / BolusGeneric name (brand name)ConcentrationOnsetPeakEffective duration
Rapid ActingBolusAspart (Fiasp)BolusU-100~16–20 min1–3 hrs3–5 hrs
Aspart (Novolog, ReliOn NovoLog)BolusU-10010–20 min1–3 hrs3–5 hrs
Glulisine (Apidra)BolusU-10015–30 min1–3 hrs3–4 hrs
Lispro (Humalog)BolusU-100 / U-20015–30 min1–2 hrs4–6 hrs
Lispro (Admelog)BolusU-10015–30 min1–2 hrs4–6 hrs
Lispro-aabc (Lyumjev)BolusU-100 / U-200~15–17 min2–3 hrs4–7 hrs
Human insulin, inhaled (Afrezza)BolusCartridge (units)~12 min35–55 min1.5–3 hrs
Short ActingBolusRegular (Humulin R, Novolin R)BolusU-100, U-50030–60 min2–3 hrs5–8 hrs
Intermediate ActingBasalHuman NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N)BasalU-1002–4 hrs4–10 hrs10–16 hrs
Long ActingBasalDetemir (Levemir)BasalU-1001–2 hrsNearly peaklessUp to 24 hrs (dose-dependent)
Glargine U-100 (Lantus, Basaglar, Semglee, Rezvoglar)BasalU-1003–4 hrsNo peakUp to 24 hrs
Glargine U-300 (Toujeo)BasalU-300~6 hrsNo peakUp to 36 hrs
Degludec (Tresiba)BasalU-100 / U-20030–90 minNo peakUp to 42 hrs
Fixed Combinations / Premixed Insulin—NPH/Regular 70/30 (Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30)—U-10030–60 minDual peaks10–16 hrs
Humalog Mix 50/50 (lispro)—U-1005–15 minDual peaks10–16 hrs
Humalog Mix 75/25 (lispro)—U-1005–15 minDual peaks10–16 hrs
NovoLog Mix 70/30 (aspart)—U-1005–15 minDual peaks10–16 hrs
Please note: insulin may have different onset, peak, and duration of action for different individuals, times of day, circumstances, and injection sites. Use this chart as a starting point and adjust as needed. Values reflect FDA prescribing information and common clinical teaching ranges as of 2026; always defer to the current product label and a healthcare provider.

Clinical Considerations

Practical Pearls for Clinical Practice

Onset, Peak, and Duration Are Estimates

Insulin action varies based on injection site, physical activity, temperature, individual physiology, and other factors.

Concentration Matters

Most insulin products are U-100, but concentrated formulations are available. Concentrated insulins may reduce injection volume but require attention to dosing, patient education, and device compatibility.

Device Compatibility Varies

Not all insulin products are approved for use in pumps, automated insulin delivery systems, smart pens, or other delivery devices. Verify manufacturer labeling before prescribing or changing therapy.

Formulary Changes Can Affect Therapy

Insurance coverage and formulary preferences frequently change and may require product substitutions, prior authorization or patient education.

Biosimilar & Interchangeable Insulins

Some insulin products are biosimilars or follow-on biologics. While clinically similar to their reference products, formulary coverage and product availability may differ. Verify payer requirements when changing therapy.

 

Product Availability and Market Updates

  • Levemir® has been discontinued in the U.S.
  • New products such as Awiqli® may affect basal insulin selection.
  • Availability and supply may vary by market and payer.

Reminder: Always confirm information with the current insulin and device product labeling for the most up to date information. 

Related Clinical Tools

Find and compare all insulin delivery devices: Which insulins are approved for pumps, AID systems, smart pens, and other devices?

Find Compatible Insulin and Insulin Delivery Devices: Explore pens, pumps, patch pumps, inhaled insulin and connected devices.

Last reviewed: May 2026. Values verified against FDA prescribing information and authoritative clinical references current as of this date. Insulin labels change — confirm against the current product label before clinical use.

References 

  1. Insulin aspart (Fiasp) — onset ~2.5 min, peak ~63 min, duration 3–5 hrs.FDA label
    Fiasp Prescribing Information (DailyMed)
  2. Insulin lispro (Humalog, U-100 / U-200) — rapid-acting, onset 15–30 min.FDA label
    Humalog Prescribing Information (FDA, 2023)
  3. Inhaled human insulin (Afrezza) — onset ~12 min, peak effect 35–55 min, duration ~1.5–3 hrs.FDA label
    Afrezza Prescribing Information (FDA) · MannKind HCP pharmacokinetics
  4. Insulin degludec (Tresiba, U-100 / U-200) — ultra-long-acting, duration beyond 42 hrs.Regulatory monograph
    Tresiba Product Information (EMA)
  5. Premixed insulins (Humalog Mix 75/25, 50/50; NovoLog Mix 70/30; Humulin/Novolin 70/30) — dual peaks, duration 10–16 hrs.FDA label
    Humalog Mix50/50 Prescribing Information (FDA, 2023)
  6. Insulin detemir (Levemir) — discontinued U.S. — FlexPen discontinued Apr 1, 2024; vials after Dec 31, 2024.Secondary
    diaTribe: Levemir discontinuation · Pediatric Endocrine Society drug alert
  7. Insulin icodec (Awiqli, U-700) — first once-weekly basal; FDA-approved Mar 26, 2026 for type 2 diabetes only.FDA label
    Awiqli Prescribing Information (FDA, 2026) · Novo Nordisk approval announcement
  8. Consensus onset/peak/duration ranges (all classes) — cross-checked clinical reference.Secondary
    Cleveland Clinic: Injectable Insulin Medications · Endotext / NCBI: Insulin Pharmacology
FDA label = primary FDA prescribing information   Secondary = peer-reviewed or institutional clinical reference. Where no standalone FDA label is cited for an agent (e.g., Apidra, Lantus/Toujeo, Admelog, Lyumjev), onset/peak/duration values are supported by the consensus references in item 8 and should be confirmed against each product's current label.

Key Terms

Rapid-Acting Insulin
Typically used for meals, corrections, and most insulin pumps.

Short-Acting Insulin
Older mealtime insulin with a slower onset than rapid-acting products.

Intermediate-Acting Insulin
Provides background insulin coverage and is often dosed twice daily.

Long-Acting Insulin
Provides steady basal insulin coverage for approximately 24 hours.

Ultra-Long-Acting Insulin
Extended basal insulin coverage with greater dosing flexibility.

Premixed Insulin
Combines basal and mealtime insulin in a single product.

U-100, U-200, U-300, U-500
Numbers indicate insulin concentration, not insulin strength or effectiveness.

ADA Standards of Care Reminder

CGM is now recommended at diabetes onset and anytime thereafter for anyone on insulin (and broader).

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DISCLAIMERS: 

This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your diabetes care and education specialist or health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. To find a diabetes care and education specialist near you, visit the ADCES finder tool.

ADCES and danatech curate product specifics and periodically review them for accuracy and relevance. As a result, the information may or may not be the most recent. We recommend visiting the manufacturer's website for the latest details if you have any questions.

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