About Insulin
Inside the pancreas, beta cells make the hormone insulin. With each meal, beta cells release insulin to help the body use or store the blood glucose it gets from food. In people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin. The beta cells have been destroyed and they need insulin shots to use glucose from meals. People with type 2 diabetes make insulin, but their bodies don't respond well to it. Some people with type 2 diabetes need insulin shots to help their bodies use glucose for energy.
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. The insulin would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. Insulin must be injected into the fat under your skin for it to get into your blood.*
There are 4 main types of injectible insulin available. These vary in the time it takes to reach the bloodstream and begin lowering blood sugar levels (onset), length of time the insulin is working at maximum strength (peak time), and the entire span of action for lowering blood sugar levels (duration).
*American Diabetes Association
Types of Insulin
The 4 main types of injectible insulin are:
- Rapid-acting, such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glulisine. A bolus or "mealtime" insulin.
- short-acting insulin or regular insulin. Another bolus or "mealtime" insulin.
- Intermediate-acting or NPH. A basal insulin that lasts for longer periods of time and aims to provide background insulin.
- Long-acting insulin, such as insulin glargine (Lantus™) and insulin detemir (Levemir™). Also, a basal insulin that lasts for longer periods of time.
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin and many people with type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy as well. If a person has type 2 diabetes, it is natural for things to change over time and they may need to add insulin to their diabetes management plan to help keep their blood sugar in control. Most likely, insulin can help them feel better and have more energy.
A person's diabetes management program may require them to use only one type of insulin or they may have to mix different types in a single injection. Their healthcare provider will tell you which of these is required and show you all the necessary steps. Do not mix insulin if your healthcare team has not suggested it to you.
The type of injectible insulin you use depends on what you need it for. Here’s how the various kinds work:
| Type of Injectible Insulin |
Onset |
Peak |
Duration |
| Rapid-acting |
5 to 15 minutes |
1 hour |
1 to 2 hours |
| Short-acting |
30 minutes |
2 to 4 hours |
6 to 8 hours |
| Intermediate-acting |
2 to 4 hours |
6 to 10 hours |
10 to 16 hours |
| Long-acting |
4 to 6 hours |
18 hours |
24 to 36 hours |
When it comes to insulin, timing is everything. As a general rule, it's best to inject regular insulin, or a mixture that contains it, 30 minutes prior to meals. Since this is sometimes inconvenient, many healthcare professionals prescribe rapid-acting insulin. Typically, you take this type of insulin immediately before you eat, which is helpful when you are at a social gathering or restaurant and are unsure of when the food will be served.
Additional Tips:
- Be sure to talk to your doctor about these tips before altering your insulin regimen.
- Always follow your doctor’s instructions to receive the most effective treatment.
- Always check the expiration date on the insulin bottle.
- Before taking insulin, check vials for frosty rings, clumping or a separation of the liquids. Do not use insulin with these characteristics.
- Do not shake your insulin vial to mix it. Instead, roll it between your hands to gently mix prior to each use.
- Do not expose insulin to extreme temperatures.
- Take your insulin every day as prescribed by your doctor.
- If you are sick, call your doctor for advice on how to administer your insulin. You may need to change your dose.
- Do not change your brand of insulin without asking your doctor.
- Store insulin according to the directions on the package or ask your healthcare provider for storing recommendations.
- Have a glucagon kit available in case you have severely low blood sugar. Teach family members how to use the glucagon kit.
Taking Insulin
Many people use a syringe to take their insulin. Insulin pens and insulin pumps are alternatives to syringe therapy. Many pens are pre-filled. Both pens and pumps require a needle to get the insulin into your body.
Ask your loved one’s healthcare team for further information on what will work best for them. To learn about the newest Bayer Diabetes products
click here.
Injection area
Rotating the insulin injection site makes for healthier skin and aids in predicting the speed of insulin absorption. If a person with diabetes takes injections in the same exact place, you can cause fat deposits to build up resulting in a condition called lipoatrophy. These deposits can make your skin appear lumpy and delay the absorption of insulin. To prevent this from occurring, rotate your injection site often.
The injection site can be anywhere that has enough fat under the skin. The abdomen, thighs and the back of the upper arms are the most common areas used. Make sure that you do not inject too close to moles or scars.
Glycemic Control
Blood glucose checks are one of the best tools to help someone manage diabetes. Be sure to self-monitor regularly to determine how different foods, exercises and activities affect their blood glucose. This information will be valuable for them to know when working with their healthcare team to make decisions about their insulin treatment, as well as lifestyle choices.
When a person with diabetes is sick, it is important for them to check their blood glucose more frequently.
Bayer has a wide range of blood glucose meters in different styles and colors.
Click here for more about Bayer’s CONTOUR® meters. They offer ease-of-use and personalization tools. Also be sure to check out Bayer’s
GLUCOFACTS® software to help people with diabetes to log and track their glucose levels on their computer.
With the right amount of insulin, food and exercise, those with diabetes can improve their health and take control of their life. And that is a simple win.