Diabetes

Injectable
Medications
Heather Fackelman

Regular Insulin

Humulin R, Novolin R
Onset: 30-60 minutes
Peak: 2-5 hours
Duration: 3-6 hours

Mealtime Insulin

Lispro (Humalog), Aspart (NovoLog), Glulisine

(Apidra)
Onset: 15 minutes
Peak: 40 minutes - 2 hours
Duration: 3 - 5.5 hours

Background Insulin
NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) (Humulin N,
Novolin N)
Onset: 2-4 hours
Peak: 4-10 hours
Duration: 10-16 hours

Background Insulin

Glargine (Lantus), Detemir (Levemir)

Onset: 2 hours
Peak: Relatively flat
Duration: up to 24 hours

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Abiglutide (Tanzeum, weekly), Dulaglutide
(Trulicity, daily), Exenatide (Byetta, 2x daily),
Exenatide Extended Release (Bydureon, weekly),
Liraglutide (Victoza, daily)
Mechanism of Action: stimulate insulin production
& suppress glucose output from the liver.
Side Effects: nausea, decreased appetite, weight
loss
Benefits: do not cause hypoglycemia

Amylin Analogue
Pramlintide (Symlin)
Mechanism of Action: slows gastric emptying,
inhibits glucagon secretion, and raises the acute
first-phase insulin response threshold after meals
Side Effects: nausea, headache, increased risk of
hypoglycemia