Repeating the basics of insulin.It is copy and paste from a web site.

[patliputra]

Rapid-acting insulin, begins to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. Types: Insulin glulisine (Apidra), insulin lispro (Humalog), and insulin aspart (NovoLog)

Regular or Short-acting insulin usually reaches the bloodstream within 30 minutes after injection, peaks anywhere from 2 to 3 hours after injection, and is effective for approximately 3 to 6 hours. Types: Humulin R, Novolin R

Intermediate-acting insulin generally reaches the bloodstream about 2 to 4 hours after injection, peaks 4 to 12 hours later, and is effective for about 12 to 18 hours. Types: NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N)

Long-acting insulin reaches the bloodstream several hours after injection and tends to lower glucose levels fairly evenly over a 24-hour period. Types: Insulin detemir (Levemir) and insulin glargine (Lantus)

Premixed insulin can be helpful for people who have trouble drawing up insulin out of two bottles and reading the correct directions and dosages. It is also useful for those who have poor eyesight or dexterity and is convenient for people whose diabetes has been stabilized on this combination.

- See more at: diabetes.org/living-with-di....

[brinbir]

What about Mixtard 30?

[patliputra in reply to brinbir]

It is pre mixed.70%NPH and 30% regular insulin.NPH is intermediate acting while regular is short acting insulin.

[brinbir]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Can you kindly elaborate in terms of hours when effect of

short acting and intermediate acting will begin and will stop.

Since I am taking Mixtard 30 in morning and night, can the

action ovelap any time of the day?

[patliputra]

Only a general idea could be given for duration of actionFor short acting insulin starts within 30 mins of administration and action peaks in2-4 hours and lasts about 4-8 hours.Intermediate acting starts working within 2-6 hours,peaks 4-14 hours and lasts upto 14-20hours.

Overlapping do occur, but that is not significant.

[mitanup23]

I have found that neither long active or short active insulin are appropriate for me. However, a combination of both i.e 6 units of short acting Lispro before breakfast, same 6 units before lunch and 12 units of long acting Lispro could stabilise my BS level to normal for last 10 years. I do not take any other tablet for diabetes.

[patliputra]

If you are satisfied then no problem.