Insulin — types, brands and how they differ
All insulin types explained: rapid, short, intermediate, long-acting, once-weekly and premixed — brands, timing, storage and $35 cost programs.
In short
Never switch insulin type, brand or concentration without your prescriber.
| Type | Examples | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid-acting | Humalog, Admelog, Lyumjev, NovoLog, Fiasp, Apidra | Mealtime |
| Short-acting | Humulin R, Novolin R | Mealtime |
| Intermediate | Humulin N, Novolin N | Basal |
| Long-acting | Lantus, Basaglar, Semglee, Rezvoglar, Toujeo, Tresiba | Basal, daily |
| Once-weekly | Awiqli (US approval March 2026) | Basal, weekly |
| Premixed | Humalog Mix 75/25, NovoLog Mix 70/30, 70/30 | Basal + mealtime |
Medicines in this group
InsulinsInsulin lispro: Humalog, Admelog, Lyumjevinsulin lispro · With mealsInsulinsInsulin aspart: NovoLog, Fiaspinsulin aspart · With mealsInsulinsInsulin glulisine: Apidrainsulin glulisine · With mealsInsulinsRegular (short-acting) insulin: Humulin R, Novolin Rhuman insulin (regular) · Before mealsInsulinsNPH (intermediate-acting) insulin: Humulin N, Novolin Nisophane human insulin · Once or twice dailyInsulinsInsulin glargine: Lantus, Basaglar, Semglee, Rezvoglar, Toujeoinsulin glargine · Once dailyInsulinsInsulin degludec: Tresibainsulin degludec · Once dailyInsulinsInsulin icodec: Awiqli (once-weekly insulin)insulin icodec-abae · Once weeklyInsulinsPremixed insulins: Humalog Mix, NovoLog Mix, Humulin/Novolin 70/30premixed insulin · Usually twice daily with meals
Popular questions
Sources
Checked against these primary sources on .
- Insulin lispro prescribing information (DailyMed)
- Insulin aspart prescribing information (DailyMed)
- Apidra prescribing information (DailyMed)
- Regular insulin prescribing information (DailyMed)
- Drugs@FDA — approval history and labels
- Health Canada Drug Product Database
- NIDDK (NIH) — insulin, medicines and other diabetes treatments