Type 2 Diabetes Insulin Medications
While injecting insulin is a treatment option normally associated with type 1 diabetes, some people with type 2 diabetes may need to use insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes and have trouble controlling your blood glucose levels with meal plan changes, exercise, and medications, then your healthcare provider may suggest insulin.
Insulin injections and inhalable insulin activate insulin receptors, increase glucose disposal, and decrease glucose production. Here are the types of insulin on the market:
Rapid-acting inhalables
Names: insulin human (Afrezza)
Onset (time it takes to reach bloodstream): 15 mins
Peak (most effective time frame): 30 mins-1.5 hrs
Duration (how long it works): 3-5 hrs
Benefits: inhaled
Possible side effects: sudden lung problems (acute bronchospasm)
Notes: taken with meals; contraindicated for patients with long-term lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
Rapid-acting analogs
Names: lispro (Humalog); aspart (Novolog); glulisine (Apidra)
Onset: 10-30 mins
Peak: 30 mins-1.5 hrs
Duration: 3-5 hrs
Benefits: nearly universal response.
Possible side effects: hypoglycemia; weight gain; redness, swelling, itching at injection site.
Notes: requires training; injectable.
Short-acting analogs
Name: human regular (Humilin R)
Onset: 30 mins-1 hr
Peak: 2-3 hrs
Duration: < 8 hrs.
Benefits: Nearly universal response.
Possible side effects: hypoglycemia, weight gain, redness, swelling, itching at injection site.
Notes: requires training, injectable.
lntermediate-acting analogs
Name: humanNPH (Humilin N)
Onset: 1.5-4 hrs
Peak: 4-12 hrs
Duration: < 24 hrs
Benefits: nearly universal response
Possible side effects: hypoglycemia, weight gain, redness, swelling itching at injection site.
Notes: requires training; injectable.
Basal Insulin long-acting analog
Names: glargine (Lantus, Basaglar); degludec (Tresiba); detemir (Levemir)
Onset: 0.8-4 hrs
Peak: minimal peak
Duration: <24 hrs-48 hrs
Benefits: nearly universal response
Possible side effects: hypoglycemia, weight gain, redness, swelling itching at injection site.
Notes: requires training; injectable.