Is NPH a long acting insulin?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 4, 2025.
No, NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N) insulin is considered an intermediate-acting insulin. NPH insulin has a longer duration of action than the rapid-acting insulins (Novolog, Apidra, Humalog) and the short-acting insulins (Humulin R, Novolin R).
NPH insulin usually has an onset (starts to work) about 1 to 3 hours after injection, peaks 4 to 12 hours later, and is effective for about 12 to 16 hours.
However, it's important to remember that the onset and duration of action of any insulin may vary individually or at different times in the same individual.
Read next
Toujeo vs Lantus - What's the difference between them?
Both Toujeo and Lantus are long-acting insulins that contain glargine, however Toujeo is more concentrated containing 300 units per mL of glargine, compared to Lantus’s 100 units per mL. When you take this into account the cost of Toujeo and Lantus works out approximately the same (real cost value $30.76/mL for Toujeo compared with $30.23/mL for Lantus). Continue reading
How and where should I inject insulin?
Injecting insulin is not difficult, but it does take a bit of practice. There are three main sites where insulin can be injected: the stomach area except for a 2-inch circle around your navel, and the soft part of your waist, but not anywhere near your spine; the top and outer part of your thighs, but not your inner thighs or anywhere close to your knee; the outer back of your upper arm where there is a pocket of fatty tissue. Continue reading
Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
Trulicity can be used with insulin, but because the combination of Trulicity and insulin increases the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), the dosage of insulin may need to be reduced. Continue reading
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