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Is Humulin fast or long-acting insulin?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on June 10, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Humulin is a brand name for insulin that is made by Eli Lilly and Company. Insulin is a hormone that is produced naturally in our bodies. Its main role is to allow cells throughout the body to uptake glucose (sugar) and convert it into a form that can be used by these cells for energy. Without insulin, we cannot survive, and death from diabetes was a common occurrence until insulin was discovered in the early 1900s by Frederick Banting and Charles Best.

There are several different types of Humulin and each one has been made to last for a specific length of time, for example:

Different insulins that work for different lengths of time are needed so that the natural release of insulin by the body in response to food is better replicated.

Humulin R

A short-acting insulin that:

Humulin N

An intermediate-acting insulin that:

Humulin 50:50 and Humulin 70:30

Combination insulins that are usually administered 30 minutes before a meal and contain:

These pre-mixed insulins simplify dosing in people needing insulin because they already have a short-acting and an intermediate-acting insulin in them. They start to work within 10 to 20 minutes after injection, peak in 2 hours, and keep working for up to 24 hours.

Related questions

What are the side effects of Humulin?

Humulin N and Humulin R have the same side effects because they are both insulins. Side effects of insulin include:

What drugs interact with Humulin?

Humulin N and Humulin R have the same interactions because they are both insulins. Interacting medicines include:

Note this list is not all-inclusive and does not include all medications that interact with Humulin.

References

 

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