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How are the insulins commonly classified?

In this article, we describe how the insulins are commonly classified. There are seven categorisations. Let's explore.

Nowadays, the insulins available for use are generally classified based on their predicted onset and duration of action, as outlined below.

The common classifications are:

‘Analogues’ are insulins where the natural amino acid sequence has been modified to either promote faster or slower action than with natural insulin.

Please note that the commercial brand names of the insulin products can vary internationally.
Reasons for the variation in onset and duration of action of the same insulin class in different people will be explored during Weeks 3 and 4.

1. Rapid-acting analogue

(in all cases 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100)
Insulins where the natural amino acid sequence has been modified to promote faster action than with natural insulin
Should all be taken just before or with food
Onset of action: Within 15 minutes
Duration of action: 3-5 hours
All times can vary from person to person

Types of ‘rapid-acting analogue’:

  • Insulin aspart (available as NovoRapid or, in a new faster-acting form, Fiasp in the UK)
  • Insulin lispro (available as Humalog in the UK)
  • Insulin glulisine (available as Apidra in the UK)

2. Short-acting or neutral

(in all cases 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100)
Insulin either human or derived from animals
Should all be taken 20-30 minutes before food
Onset of action: Within 30 minutes
Duration of action: 6-8 hours
All times vary from person to person

Types of ‘short-acting/neutral’:

  • Human insulin (available as Actrapid in the UK)
  • Human insulin (available as Humulin S in the UK)
  • Human insulin (available as Insuman Rapid in the UK)
  • Derived from cows (available as Hypurin Bovine Neutral in the UK)
  • Derived from pigs (available as Hypurin Porcine Neutral in the UK)

3. Medium or intermediate and long-acting

(In all cases 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100)
Should all be taken 30 minutes before food or bed
Onset of action: Within 30-60 minutes
Duration of action: 12-18 hours
All times vary from person to person

Types of ‘medium (intermediate) and long-acting’:

  • Human insulin (available as Insulatard in the UK)
  • Human insulin (available as Humulin I in the UK)
  • Derived from cows (available as Hypurin Bovine Isophane in the UK)
  • Derived from cows (available as Hypurin Bovine Lente in the UK)
  • Derived from cows (available as Hypurin Bovine PZI in the UK)
  • Derived from pigs (available as Hypurin Porcine Isophane in the UK)
  • Human insulin (available as Insuman Basal in the UK)

4. Mixed

(In all cases 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100), number in the name refers to the percentage of short-acting insulin in the preparation)
Mixture of short-acting and intermediate acting insulin in one injection.
Should all be taken 20-30 minutes before food
Onset of action: Within 30-60 minutes
Duration of action: 12-14 hours
All times vary from person to person

Types of ‘mixed’:

  • Human insulin, 30% short-acting (available as Humulin M3 in the UK)
  • Derived from pigs, 30% short-acting (available as Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix in the UK)
  • Human insulin, 25% short-acting (available as Insuman Comb 25 in the UK)
  • Human insulin, 50% short-acting (available as Insuman Comb 50 in the UK)

5. Analogue mixed

(In all cases 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100), number in the name refers to the percentage of rapid-acting insulin in preparation)
Mixture of rapid-acting analogue insulin and intermediate acting insulin in one injection; ‘biphasic’)
Should all be taken just before or with food
Onset of action: Within 15-30 minutes
Duration of action: 12-14 hours
All times vary from person to person

Types of ‘analogue mixed’:

  • Insulin lispro (available as Humalog Mix 25 in the UK)
  • Insulin lispro (available as Humalog Mix 50 in the UK)
  • Insulin aspart (available as Novomix 30 in the UK)

6. Long-acting analogue

(In all cases 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100)
Insulins where the natural amino acid sequence has been modified to promote slower action than with natural insulin
Either can be used once or twice daily as long acting insulin. Can be taken at any time, but at the same time daily
Onset of action: Within 30-60 minutes
Duration of action: 18-24 hours
All times vary from person to person

Types of long-acting analogue:

  • Insulin glargine (available as Lantus in the UK)
  • Insulin detemir (available as Levemir in the UK)

7. Ultra Long-Acting analogue

(Available as 1mL liquid volume = 100 units of insulin (U100) AND 1ml liquid volume = 200 units of insulin (U200), CARE NEEDED when prescribing or administering correct type)
Can be used as either once daily or two-three times per week as long acting insulin. Can be taken any time but at the same time daily
Onset of action: Within 30-90 minutes
Duration of action: up to 42 hours
All times vary from person to person

Types of ‘ultra long-lasting’ analogue:

  • Insulin degludec (available as Tresiba in the UK)

If you’d like to learn more about insulin, check out the full online course from the University of Southampton, below.

© University of Southampton
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Understanding Insulin

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