Insulin is a hormone released by your pancreas that helps cells use glucose. If your body isn’t making or using insulin properly, you might need to take insulin to manage your blood sugar. There are different types of insulin used to treat diabetes, categorized by how quickly they start working and how long their effects last.
Long-acting insulin doesn’t peak like short-acting insulin and helps manage blood sugar throughout the day, similar to how your pancreas controls blood sugar between meals. These are known as basal or background insulins. There are four main long-acting insulin products, including Lantus and Toujeo, which contain insulin glargine but may require different dosing due to their formula concentrations.
Typically, long-acting insulin is injected once a day using a pen or needle. It’s important to inject it at the same time each day to avoid overlapping doses, which can lead to stacking and affect blood sugar control. Your doctor might also recommend short-acting insulin to prevent blood sugar spikes after meals.
Switching brands of long-acting insulin might require a different dose, so consult your doctor if you need to change. Like all medications, insulin injections can have side effects, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and reactions at the injection site. Insulin can also be used with thiazolidinediones, a group of oral diabetes drugs, but this combination can increase fluid retention and risk of heart failure.
Due to the long-lasting effects of degludec, your doctor might suggest gradually increasing your dose. They will work with you to determine the best type of insulin for your needs, considering factors like how often you need insulin and whether you take other medications.
Afrezza is an inhaled, fast-acting insulin approved for use before meals in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It peaks in about 15 minutes and is cleared from the body in 2 to 3 hours. For type 1 diabetes, it’s used alongside long-acting insulin.
Follow your doctor’s instructions on when to take your insulin dose. The timing between your shot and meal can vary depending on the insulin type. Generally, you should coordinate your injection with eating to ensure glucose from your meals enters your system when the insulin starts working, helping to avoid low blood sugar.
Long-acting insulins aren’t tied to meal times. For example, detemir (Levemir) is taken once or twice daily, regardless of meals, while glargine (Basaglar, Lantus, Toujeo) is taken daily at the same time. Deglutec is taken once daily, with flexible timing. Some people may need to pair long-acting insulin with a shorter-acting type or another medication that requires mealtime dosing.
These insulins can be taken after eating, not just before meals. You might also take some before bedtime. For more details on dosing, check the “dosing and administration” section in your insulin package insert or consult your doctor.
If you use inhaled insulin and have asthma or COPD, your lungs might tighten suddenly. Always keep at least two bottles of each insulin type you use. Insulin vials don’t need to be frozen. If the temperature is comfortable for you, the insulin is safe. Store it at room temperature (not above 80°F) for up to 30 days, avoiding extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.
Keep spare bottles in the fridge. Before starting a new bottle, let it warm up overnight. Don’t freeze your insulin. Check the insulin in the bottle before injecting. Short-acting, rapid-acting, and some long-acting insulins are clear, while others might be cloudy but shouldn’t have clumps. Don’t shake the bottle to avoid air bubbles, which can affect the insulin dose. For insulin pens, refer to the package insert for storage guidelines.
