When it comes to diabetes medication options, it’s common to have questions. Good thing your Medicine Shoppe® pharmacist has the answers! Refer to the information below for a quick overview of insulin types, dosages and storage tips. Then, give your local Medicine Shoppe pharmacist a call. We’re happy to help you understand your treatment options.
Types of Insulin
There are three categories of insulin:
- Short Acting
- Intermediate Acting
- Long Acting
Short-acting insulin options such as Lispro, Aspart and Glulisine are human insulin analogs. They differ from regular human insulin due to their rapid onset of action as well as a shorter duration of activity.
When used as a mealtime insulin, the dose of a human insulin analog should be given within 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal (within 20 minutes after starting a meal). Human insulin analogs should be used in regimens that contain a longer-acting insulin for people who have Type 1 diabetes. However, in people with Type 2 diabetes, human insulin analogs can be used without long-acting insulin.
The only short acting insulin currently available is Regular insulin. It is a clear solution and does not have to be mixed prior to use.
There is also one type of intermediate-acting insulin: Isophane insulin (NPH). It is a suspension and should be gently mixed prior to use.
There are two new types of long-acting insulin available: Insulin Glargine (Lantus®) and Insulin Detemir (Levemir®). It is also important to remember that Lantus and Levemir cannot be mixed with other insulin. Do not mix Lantus or Levemir in a syringe with another insulin, even for a short time.
Insulin dosage and programs
Long-acting plus rapid-acting or short-acting insulin:
- One or two shots a day of long-acting insulin for the basal dose, plus three or more shots of rapid- or short-acting insulin, one before each meal for bolus insulin.
Intermediate-acting insulin only:
- This program usually consists of one shot before breakfast, or two shots per day: one before breakfast and one before supper. This program provides basal coverage, but no bolus doses.
- Since you have no bolus doses with this program, this program does not keep your blood glucose in the normal range throughout the day. Therefore, this program may not be your best option.
Intermediate-acting plus rapid-acting or short-acting insulin:
- This program uses intermediate-acting insulin to provide basal coverage, and then adds a rapid-acting or short-acting insulin for bolus insulin. Intermediate-acting insulin could be given once or twice daily and may be given at bedtime. The rapid- and short-acting insulin may be given up to three times daily before meals.
Storage of insulin
- An insulin vial or cartridge in use can be kept at room temperature, while a vial or cartridge that is not being used should be stored in the refrigerator.
- If the room temperature is above 86°F, it should be stored in the refrigerator.
- Most insulin remains stable at room temperature for 28 days after opening. The exception is Levemir, which is stable up to 42 days after opening. Write this expiration date on your vial or cartridge, so you will know when to discard the vial or cartridge. Unopened refrigerated vials or cartridges can be used until the expiration date printed on the vial or cartridges.
To find out more information on how exercise can be part of your diabetes treatment, click here.
Copyright 2006 Medicine Shoppe International, a Cardinal Health company. All rights reserved.
These materials were adapted from Life with Diabetes: A Series of Teaching Outlines, American Diabetes Association, 2000, Diabetes Care, Volume 27, Supplement 1, January 2004 and Diabetes Forecast, January 2006. Byetta package label. http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2005/021773lbl.pdf, and Symlin package label. http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2005/021332lbl.pdf