PEBC: What You Need to Know: Mealtime Insulins

Rapid-Acting: Humalog (insulin lispro), Apidra (insulin glulisine), Novorapid (insulin aspart)

-inject 15 minutes and up until prior to meal

-faster onset, faster peak, shorter duration of action

Ultra-Rapid: Fiasp (insulin aspart)

-inject at the start of meal or within 20 minutes of starting to eat

-ultra fast onset, faster peak, shorter duration of action

Short Acting: Humulin R (regular insulin)

-inject 30 minutes prior to meal

-slower onset, later peak, longer duration of action

Adverse Effects:

-hypogylcemia (<4 mmol/L) is common

-weight gain

Drug Interactions:

-increased hypoglycemia risk with other diabetic agents, especially sulfonylureas, meglitinides

-increased risk of hypoglycemia with GLP-1 agents such as liraglutide, semaglutide: a 50% reduction in insulin is recommended

-contraindicated with pioglitazone due to risk of heart failure and edema