Analogue insulins
The effect of short acting insulin will start immediately after injection (10 minutes after injection). The peak of the effect is developed after 60 (30 to 90) minutes. In total the action will continue for two to three hours. Please refer to the graph below to get more information about the spectrum of the effect.
Due to this rapid onset on action of these new short time insulins (analogue insulins) it is not necessary to wait between injection of insulin and the meal if the blood glucose result is OK. Analogue insulins can be injected before, during or immediately after the meal which provides a high grade of flexibility.
Regular insulin
The onset of action of regular human insulin takes place after 15 to 30 minutes. Therefore the patient should inject normally 15 to 30 minutes prior to the meal. The peak of the effect is developed after about 2 hours. The total duration of the effect of regular insulin is 4 to 6 hours. There is a relation between dose and duration that means that a higher dose has a longer duration. This principle is valid also for other insulins. The liquid is a clear solution.
