Which type of insulin has the longest duration of action?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 4, 2025.
The insulin that has the longest duration of action, which is the length of time it works, is usually either the intermediate-acting insulins such as NPH insulin (human), or the long-acting insulins such as insulin glargine (Lantus) or insulin determir (Levemir). Their duration of action can be up to 24 hours long.
Intermediate insulin is often combined with rapid or short acting insulins and is usually dosed twice a day. Intermediate insulins cover blood glucose elevations when rapid-acting insulins stop working.
Long-acting insulins lower blood glucose levels when rapid-acting insulins stop working and are used once or twice a day. Insulin glargine (Lantus) is used once a day and is always given at the same time, regardless of meals. Insulin detemir (Levemir) is used once or twice a day, also without regards to meals.
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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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