Rapid and Short Acting Insulins

Insulin is used in the treatment of both type I and type II diabetes. Insulin treats these conditions by increasing uptake of serum glucose into cells, which lowers plasma glucose levels.  Insulin comes in short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting forms.  Care must be taken on dosing to avoid hypoglycemic states, which can result in seizures and coma.  Potassium shifts into cells with administration of insulin, so hypokalemia can result from administration.

Class Drugs

• Regular Insulin

• Insulin Aspart

• Insulin Lispro

• Insulin Glulisine

Class Mechanism of Action

Insulin increases uptake of serum glucose into cells, which lowers plasma glucose levels

• Insulin receptor is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor

• Receptor activation results in glucose transporters moving from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane, which promotes glucose uptake.

Short-acting insulin has onset in 30 minutes and peaks in 90-120 minutes. Duration is approximately 8 hours.

Class Applications

Hyperglycemia

Diabetes mellitus

Class Adverse Effects

Hypoglycemia

Injection site reactions

Drug Table

Drug Name	Application	Comments	Image
Regular Insulin		Short-acting insulin; Should be injected 30 minutes before mealtime for appropriate onset of effects	"Regular Gasoline"
Insulin Aspart		Rapid-acting insulin; Should be injected between 15 minutes before mealtime or within 15 minutes after mealtime for appropriate onset of actions	"Ass Part"
Insulin Lispro		Rapid-acting insulin; Should be injected between 15 minutes before mealtime or within 15 minutes after mealtime for appropriate onset of actions	"Lizard" "Professional"
Insulin Glulisine		Rapid-acting insulin; Should be injected between 15 minutes before mealtime or within 20 minutes after mealtime for appropriate onset of actions	"Glue" "Visine Bottle"