Insulin Types Lookup
Search any insulin for its onset, peak, duration, and the nursing point that matters.
Insulin lispro
Humalog
Onset
10–15 min
Peak
30 min–3 hr
Duration
3–5 hr
Give within 15 minutes of the meal — food must be in front of the patient.
Insulin aspart
Novolog
Onset
10–15 min
Peak
1–3 hr
Duration
3–5 hr
Same meal-timing rule as lispro; common in insulin pumps.
Insulin glulisine
Apidra
Onset
10–15 min
Peak
1–2 hr
Duration
3–5 hr
May be given 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.
Regular insulin
Humulin R / Novolin R
Onset
30 min–1 hr
Peak
2–4 hr
Duration
5–8 hr
The only insulin given IV — used in DKA infusions and hyperkalemia protocols. Give 30 minutes before meals subQ.
NPH insulin
Humulin N / Novolin N
Onset
1–2 hr
Peak
4–12 hr
Duration
12–18 hr
Cloudy — roll, don't shake. When mixing with regular: clear before cloudy. Peak often lands overnight; watch for nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Insulin glargine
Lantus / Basaglar / Toujeo
Onset
1–2 hr
Peak
No pronounced peak
Duration
~24 hr
Never mix with other insulins in the same syringe. Usually dosed once daily at the same time.
Insulin detemir
Levemir
Onset
1–2 hr
Peak
Minimal (6–8 hr)
Duration
12–24 hr (dose-dependent)
Duration shortens at low doses — some patients need twice-daily dosing. Do not mix.
Insulin degludec
Tresiba
Onset
~1 hr
Peak
No peak
Duration
> 42 hr
Ultra-long duration allows flexible daily timing once steady state is reached.
NPH/regular 70/30
Humulin 70/30 / Novolin 70/30
Onset
30 min
Peak
Dual (2–12 hr)
Duration
10–16 hr
Give 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Two peaks means two hypoglycemia windows.
Lispro protamine/lispro 75/25
Humalog Mix 75/25
Onset
10–15 min
Peak
Dual (1–6 hr)
Duration
10–16 hr
Rapid component means meal must be ready at injection time.
Aspart protamine/aspart 70/30
Novolog Mix 70/30
Onset
10–20 min
Peak
Dual (1–4 hr)
Duration
10–16 hr
Same rapid-component timing rule as Humalog Mix.
Hypoglycemia timing
Hypoglycemia risk is highest at the peak— that’s the NCLEX logic behind every “when do you watch this patient?” question. Rapid insulins peak with the meal window, NPH peaks mid-afternoon or overnight, and true long-acting insulins have no meaningful peak.
Insulin is a high-alert medication: two-nurse verification per policy, never abbreviate “units,” and confirm the patient will actually eat before giving mealtime insulin.
Educational use only. Onset, peak, and duration values are typical published ranges and vary by reference and patient; dosing and timing follow provider orders and facility policy. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.