From the Guidelines
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin, with an onset of action within 5 minutes, peaking in 1 to 2 hours, and a duration of action of 3 to 4 hours, as reported in the study by Havas S, Mayfield J 1.
Key Characteristics of Lispro
- Onset of action: 5 minutes
- Peak action: 1 to 2 hours
- Duration of action: 3 to 4 hours
- Administration: typically via insulin pen, syringe, or insulin pump
- Indication: control of postprandial blood glucose spikes
Clinical Considerations
- Patients using lispro should be aware of the potential for hypoglycemia within the first few hours after injection and should monitor their blood glucose accordingly 1.
- Lispro is designed to mimic the body's natural insulin response to food intake, making it suitable for mealtime dosing.
- The rapid onset of lispro makes it a preferred choice for controlling postprandial glucose excursions, as noted in the 2017 American Diabetes Association standards of medical care in diabetes 1.
Comparison with Other Insulins
- Lispro has a faster onset and shorter duration of action compared to regular insulin and intermediate-acting insulins, such as insulin isophane suspension (NPH) and insulin zinc suspension (Lente) 1.
- Lispro is more flexible in meal planning compared to premixed insulins, as it can be administered immediately before meals to control postprandial glucose spikes 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Insulin Lispro is a rapid acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting human insulin analog produced by recombinant DNA technology utilizing a non-pathogenic laboratory strain of Escherichia coli.
Yes, lispro is a rapid acting insulin 2, 2, 2.
From the Research
Characteristics of Lispro Insulin
- Lispro insulin is a rapid-acting insulin analog with a faster onset and shorter duration of action compared to regular insulin 3, 4, 5.
- It is designed to overcome the limitations of regular short-acting insulins, providing a more physiologic approach to exogenous insulin therapy 3, 4.
- Lispro insulin begins to exert its effects within 15 minutes of subcutaneous administration, and peak levels occur 30 to 90 minutes after administration 4.
- The duration of activity is less than five hours 4.
Comparison with Regular Insulin
- Lispro insulin provides equivalent or slightly improved glycemic control in patients with types I and II diabetes mellitus compared to regular insulin 3, 5.
- It results in a greater reduction in postprandial blood glucose excursion than regular insulin 3, 5.
- Rates of insulin allergy, lipodystrophy, hypoglycemia, and abnormal laboratory test results are essentially the same in patients using insulin lispro and those using regular human insulin 4.
Clinical Benefits
- Insulin lispro offers flexible injection times and less frequent hypoglycemic reactions, improving the quality of life for patients with diabetes 5.
- It is believed to be suitable for patients using insulin infusion pumps 5.
- Lispro insulin is equipotent to human insulin and has a much more rapid onset and shorter duration of action, which may reduce the risk of hypoglycemia 5.