Generic Name
(U-100, except where
noted)
Brand Name
Manufacturer
Form
Delivery
Cloudy or Clear
Onset
Peak
Duration
Rapid Acting
insulin aspart
NovoLog
Novo Nordisk
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen; reusable pen
with 300-unit
cartridges; pump
clear
10 to 20 min.
30 to 90 min.
3 to 5 hours
insulin human
Afrezza
Sanofi
human
inhaler with 4- and
8-unit cartridges
N/A (inhaled powder) 10 to 20 min.
12 to 15 min.
3 hours
insulin glulisine
Apidra
Sanofi
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen; pump
clear
10 to 20 min.
30 to 90 min.
3 to 5 hours
insulin lispro
Humalog
*
Eli Lilly
analog
syringe, prefilled
disposable pen,
reusable pen with
cartridges, pump
clear
10 to 20 min.
30 to 90 min.
3 to 5 hours
Regular
Regular
Humulin R
+
Eli Lilly
human
syringe
clear
30 to 60 min.
2 to 4 hours
5 to 8 hours
Regular
Novolin R
Novo Nordisk
human
syringe
clear
30 to 60 min.
2 to 4 hours
5 to 8 hours
Intermediate Acting
NPH
Humulin N
Eli Lilly
human
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
cloudy
1 to 3 hours
8 hours
12 to 16 hours
NPH
Novolin N, ReliOn
(Walmart)
Novo Nordisk
human
syringe
cloudy
1 to 3 hours
8 hours
12 to 16 hours
Long Acting
insulin detemir
Levemir
Novo Nordisk
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
clear
1 hour
No peak
20 to 26 hours
insulin glargine
Lantus
Sanofi
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
clear
1 hour
No peak
20 to 26 hours
Ultra Long Acting
insulin glargine U-300 Toujeo
Sanofi
analog
prefilled, 300-unit
disposable pen
clear
6 hours
No peak
36 hours
Mixtures
50% lispro prota-
mine/50% insulin
lispro
Humalog Mix 50/50
Eli Lilly
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
cloudy
10 to 15 min.
Varies
10 to 16 hours
75% lispro protamine
(NPL)/25% insulin
lispro
Humalog Mix 75/25
Eli Lilly
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
cloudy
10 to 15 min.
Varies
10 to 16 hours
70% aspart prota-
mine/30% insulin
aspart
NovoLog Mix 70/30
± Novo Nordisk
analog
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
cloudy
5 to 15 min.
Varies
10 to 16 hours
70% NPH/30%
Regular
Humulin 70/30
Eli Lilly
human
syringe; prefilled,
300-unit disposable
pen
cloudy
30 to 60 min.
Varies
10 to 16 hours
70% NPH/30%
Regular
Novolin 70/30
±,
ReliOn (Walmart)
Novo Nordisk
human
syringe
cloudy
30 to 60 min.
Varies
10 to 16 hours
Less Commonly Used Insulins
regular U-500
Humulin R U-500
+^
Eli Lilly
human
syringe
clear
30 min.
8 hours
Up to 24 hours
insulin lispro U-200
Humalog U-200
*^
Eli Lilly
analog
prefilled, 600-unit
disposable pen
clear
15
30 to 90 min.
3 to 5 hours
Key
*
Note difference between Humalog and Humalog U-200.
+
Note difference between Humulin R and Humulin R U-500.
±
Note difference between Novolin 70/30 (70% NPH/30% Regular) and NovoLog Mix
70/30 (70% aspart protamine/30% aspart).
^
U-100, U-200, U-300, and U-500 are different concentrations of insulin. Higher concentrations are typically used in very insulin-resistant people.
Insulins Available in the United States
M ARCH/APRIL 201 5
Dia b etes Fo re c as t | dia b etes fo re c as t.o r g