
If a long-acting insulin is used instead of an intermediate-acting insulin, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night. Long-acting insulins are typically given once a day but may be given twice a day. But insulin glargine and insulin detemir are clear liquids (not cloudy). When these types of insulin sit for even a few minutes, the buffered insulin settles to the bottom of the vial. Intermediate acting insulins contain added substances (buffers) that make them work over a long time and that may make them look cloudy. These liquid insulins are clear and do not settle out when the bottle (vial) sits for a while. A short-acting insulin is often used 30–60 minutes before a meal so that it has time to work. Short-acting insulins take effect and wear off more quickly than long-acting insulins. If a rapid-acting insulin is used instead of a short-acting insulin at the start of dinner, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night. It quickly drops the blood sugar level and works for a short time. Rapid-acting insulin acts most like insulin that is produced by the human pancreas. Because they work quickly, they are used most often at the start of a meal. Rapid-acting insulins work over a narrow, more predictable range of time.

Tresiba (insulin degludec) available as U-100 and U-200 Humulin R, Novolin ge Toronton (insulin regular) Make sure you use the same type of insulin consistently so you take the right amount. The amount of time can be affected by exercise, diet, illness, some medicines, stress, the dose, how you take it, or where you inject it.

Each type of insulin acts over a specific amount of time.

Insulin is used to treat people who have diabetes.
