From the Guidelines
No, Humalog (insulin lispro) is not a long-acting insulin. It is a rapid-acting insulin analog, as stated in the position statement of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 1. This position statement highlights the differences between basal insulin, which includes long-acting insulins like insulin glargine or insulin detemir, and prandial insulin therapy, which utilizes shorter-acting insulins such as insulin lispro.
The characteristics of Humalog, including its rapid onset and short duration of action, make it suitable for managing postprandial glucose control when dosed just before meals 1. In contrast, long-acting insulins are designed to provide a relatively uniform insulin coverage throughout the day and night, primarily to control blood glucose by suppressing hepatic glucose production in between meals and during sleep.
Key features of Humalog include:
- Rapid onset of action, beginning to work within 15 minutes after injection
- Peaks in about 1 hour
- Continues to work for 2-4 hours
- Designed to cover mealtime insulin needs by quickly lowering blood glucose levels after eating
For comprehensive diabetes management, Humalog is often used in conjunction with intermediate or long-acting insulins that provide basal insulin coverage throughout the day 1. The distinction between the action profiles of Humalog and long-acting insulins underscores the importance of tailoring an insulin treatment program to an individual patient's needs, considering factors such as dietary habits, exercise, and prevailing glucose trends.
From the FDA Drug Label
Insulin lispro-aabc is a rapid-acting human insulin analog used to lower blood glucose. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Insulin Lispro (Humalog) Characteristics
- Insulin lispro, also known as Humalog, is a recombinant human insulin analogue with a faster onset of action and shorter duration of activity compared to regular human insulin 2, 3.
- It has a more rapid onset of action and a shorter duration of action, making it suitable for postprandial blood glucose control 3, 4.
Duration of Action
- The duration of action of Humalog is shorter compared to regular human insulin, which makes it a quick-acting insulin analogue 3, 5.
- It is not considered a long-acting insulin, as its effects last for a shorter period compared to long-acting insulins 2, 6.
Clinical Benefits
- Humalog provides better postprandial blood glucose control and reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia, particularly at night 2, 5.
- It offers greater flexibility in lifestyle, as it can be administered immediately before or after meals 2, 3.
- Humalog is well-tolerated, and its use can lead to improved patient satisfaction with treatment 2, 6.