| Q. I'm confused about Novolog and Novolin insulins. | | | | a total of 5 to 7 hours. |
| What is the difference between them and can | | | | - NPH (brand name Humulin N or Novolin N) is an |
| one be substituted for the other? - James Castille, | | | | intermediate-acting insulin that starts working in |
| San Francisco, CA | | | | about 1 to 2 hours and can last from 16 to 24 |
| A. Understanding insulin can be confusing because | | | | hours. |
| there are so many types, some of the names | | | | - Insulin glargine (brand name Lantus) is a newer |
| sounds alike, and even have different variations of | | | | form of long-acting insulin. It starts to work within |
| the same name. Types of insulin differ with | | | | 1 to 2 hours and continues acting for about 24 |
| respect to their source, how fast they begin to | | | | hours. Lantus is different from other forms of |
| act, and how long their effect persists. Today | | | | insulin (sometimes referred to as the "poor man's |
| most people use synthetic brands of insulin, such | | | | pump") since it does not have a peak effect. |
| as Humulin and Novolin, which are identical to | | | | Instead, it lowers blood sugar to a relatively |
| natural human insulin. Older insulin brands such as | | | | constant level during the 24-hour period. |
| Iletin are extracted from the pancreases of cattle | | | | - Many people use more than one type of insulin |
| or pigs and differ slightly from human insulin, | | | | to control their blood sugar. Certain types of |
| making them more likely than synthetic types to | | | | insulin should not be mixed together in the same |
| cause side effects such as skin rash and fat | | | | syringe, so check with your doctor or pharmacist |
| deposits under the skin. | | | | before doing so. Some people use premixed |
| - With respect to speed of onset and duration of | | | | combinations of Regular and NPH. Examples include |
| effect, there are prompt, short, intermediate, and | | | | Humulin 70/30, Novolin 70/30, and Humulin 50/50. |
| long-acting insulins. Lispro (brand name Humalog or | | | | The first number is the percent NPH and the |
| NovoLog) is a very-fast-acting insulin designed to | | | | second indicates the percent regular insulin. They |
| take effect in less than 30 minutes and reach its | | | | provide the same activity as if NPH and Regular |
| peak sugar-lowering effect after 60 to 90 | | | | insulin were injected separately but are easier to |
| minutes. It is usually given 5-10 minutes before a | | | | administer since only one dose needs to be |
| meal and is effective for 3 to 5 hours. | | | | measured. |
| - Regular insulin (brand name Humulin R or Novolin | | | | Some people with Diabetes use a combination of |
| R) is defined as short acting. It begins lowering | | | | fast-acting and long-acting insulin to help control |
| blood sugar from 30 to 60 minutes after you | | | | blood sugar levels throughout the day. Your |
| inject it. The peak effect from an injection occurs | | | | doctor will help decide which type(s) of insulin are |
| after two to three hours and the effect lasts for | | | | best for you. |