(fast-acting insulin)

A synthetic (man-made) insulin that acts most like insulin produced by the human pancreas (beta cells in the islets of Langerhans).
It is a drug prescribed for people with diabetes to help control glucose (blood sugar) levels.

(Types of insulin)
Many forms of insulin treat diabetes, grouped by how fast they start to work and how long their effects last.
• Rapid-acting: Quickly drops the blood sugar level and works for a short time.
• Regular- or short-acting: Takes about 30 minutes to work fully and lasts 3 to 6 hours.
• Intermediate-acting: Takes 2 to 4 hours to work fully and lasts up to 18 hours.
• Long-acting: Works for an entire day.
• Pre-mixed: Combines specific amounts of intermediate-acting and short-acting insulin.

It works over a narrow, more predictable range of time. Since it works quickly, it is used at the start of a meal or 15 minutes before. If it is used at the start of dinner, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night.

(Examples)
inhaled:
• human insulin: An inhaler consisting of single-use plastic cartridges filled with metered human insulin in white powder. (Trade name: Afrezza)
injection:
• glulisine
• lispro
• aspart

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