Insulin

Insulin helps to take the sugar 

in your blood to other parts of 

your body. Diabetes affects how 

your body makes or uses insulin. 

Diabetes can make it hard to 

control how much sugar is in 

your blood.

There is hope.

There are different kinds of insulin that 

people with diabetes can use every 

day to help them stay healthy. This 

booklet gives some basic facts about 

insulin. Use this booklet to help you 

talk to your healthcare provider about 

the kind of insulin that you are taking.

Do not delay. Diabetes is 

a serious illness.

Diabetes can cause a heart attack, stroke, 

blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage 

and other serious health problems. This 

is why it is so important for you to get 

treatment for your diabetes. Treatment can 

help prevent or slow some of these serious 

health problems.

Exercise, eat a balanced diet, and take 

your diabetes medicines. You can do it.

INSULIN SAFETY TIPS

• Never drink insulin.

• Do not share insulin needles, pens,

or cartridges with anyone else.

• Talk to your healthcare provider 

before you change or stop using 

your insulin.

• Do not inject your insulin in the 

exact same spot each time.

• Throw away needles in a hard 

container like a laundry detergent 

bottle that can be closed.

• Check the expiration date on the 

insulin before you use it.

• Plan how to take care of your 

insulin when you travel and during 

an emergency. FDA Office of Women’s Health

www.fda.gov/womensdiabetes
Types of Insulin

INSULIN TIP

Do not store your insulin in a place 

that is very hot or very cold.

RAPID-ACTING This insulin starts working within 15 minutes after you use it. It is 

mostly gone out of your body after a few hours. It should be taken 

just before or just after you eat.

SHORT-ACTING This insulin starts working within 30 minutes to 1 hour after you use 

it. It is mostly gone out of your body after a few hours. It should be 

taken 30-45 minutes before you eat.

INTERMEDIATEACTING

This insulin starts working within 2-4 hours after you use it. It reaches 

its highest level in your blood around 6-8 hours after you use it. It is 

often used in the morning or at bedtime to help control your blood 

sugar between meals.

LONG-ACTING This insulin starts working within 2-4 hours after you use it. It can last 

in the body for up to 24 hours. It is often used in the morning or at 

bedtime to help control your blood sugar throughout the day.

PRE-MIXED This is a combination of two different types of insulin. It includes one 

type that helps to control your blood sugar at meals and one that 

helps between meals.

There are many different types of insulin. The type lets you know how fast 

the insulin starts working or how long it lasts in your body. Your healthcare 

provider will help you find the insulin that is best for you.

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BRAND NAME OTHER NAMES TYPE OF INSULIN

(HOW FAST IT WORKS)

Admelog insulin lispro injection Rapid-Acting

Afrezza

(inhalation powder)

regular human insulin

(inhalation powder) Rapid-Acting

Apidra

Apidra Solostar insulin glulisine Rapid-Acting

Fiasp

Fiasp Flextouch insulin aspart Rapid-Acting

Humalog 

Humalog Pen 

Humalog Kwikpen

insulin lispro Rapid-Acting

NovoLog insulin aspart Rapid-Acting

Humulin R 

Humulin R Pen regular human insulin Short-Acting

Novolin R regular human insulin Short-Acting

Humulin N NPH human insulin

(human insulin isophane suspension) Intermediate-Acting

Novolin N NPH human insulin

(human insulin isophane suspension) Intermediate-Acting

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BRAND NAME OTHER NAMES TYPE OF INSULIN

(HOW FAST IT WORKS)

Basaglar KwikPen insulin glargine Long-Acting

Lantus

Lantus Solostar insulin glargine Long-Acting

Levemir insulin detemir Long-Acting

Toujeo

Toujeo Max insulin glargine Long-Acting

Tresiba FlexTouch insulin degludec Long-Acting

Humalog Mix 75/25 

Humalog Mix 75/25 

KwikPen

75% insulin lispro protamine suspension 

25% insulin lispro injection

Intermediateand Rapid-Acting

Humalog 70/30 70% human insulin isophane suspension

30% human insulin injection

Intermediateand Rapid-Acting

Humalog Mix 50/50 

Humalog Mix 50/50

KwikPen

50% insulin lispro protamine suspension 

50% insulin lispro injection

Intermediateand Rapid-Acting

Novolog Mix 70/30 

Novolog Mix 70/30

FlexPen

70% insulin aspart protamine suspension 

30% insulin aspart injection

Intermediateand Rapid-Acting

Ryzodeg 70/30

FlexTouch

70% insulin degludec

30% insulin aspart

Longand Rapid-Acting

Humulin 70/30 

Humulin 70/30

KwikPen

70% NPH human insulin

30% regular human insulin injection

Intermediateand Short-Acting

Novolin 70/30 70% NPH human insulin

30% regular human insulin injection

Intermediateand Short-Acting

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MEDICINE NAME HOW MUCH 

DO I TAKE?

WHEN DO I TAKE IT? IMPORTANT FACTS

My Insulin

• How will my insulin affect my blood sugar?

• Will it affect my other medicines?

• What are the side effects?

• What do I do if I start having side effects?

• When should I check my blood sugar?

• What are the signs that my blood sugar 

might be too low or too high?

• Should I carry glucose tabs with me and 

how should I use them?

• What should I do if I am pregnant, 

planning to get pregnant, or 

breastfeeding?

• What else should I know about my 

diabetes medicines?

Write down the facts about your insulin the next time you talk to your 

doctor, nurse, or diabetes educator.

This booklet should not be used in place of talking to your doctor or reading the label 

on your medicine. The drug and risk information in this booklet may change. 

Check the FDA website for the latest facts on each medicine:

www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/

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• Get the facts. Ask your healthcare provider for the 

side effects, warnings, and other facts for the insulin 

you are taking. This booklet does not give all facts 

for each kind of insulin.

• Speak up. Tell someone about any problems you 

may be having with your insulin. Your doctor may 

change your insulin or give you tips to help you 

deal with the side effects.

Insulin affects each person differently. Insulin can 

sometimes cause side effects. The side effects will depend 

on your body and the type of insulin you are taking. Follow 

these tips to help you learn how to handle side effects.

What You Can Do About Side Effects

INSULIN TIP

Talk to your healthcare 

provider before you 

change or stop taking 

your insulin.

• Check the FDA website. You can find 

up-to-date safety information about your 

insulin at: www.fda.gov

• Report serious problems with your insulin 

or device. You or your healthcare provider 

can tell FDA about any serious problems 

with your medicines.

Report Online at: www.fda.gov/medwatch 

Call 1-800-FDA-1088 to request a form.

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There are many ways to take your insulin. Some people use a needle and syringe to inject 

their insulin. Others use an insulin pen, jet injector, inhaler, or pump. Read the information 

in this section about the different kinds of insulin devices. Then, talk to your healthcare 

provider about the kind that is best for you.

Insulin Needles and 

Syringes

Needles and syringes are used to 

inject insulin under the skin. Insulin 

needles come in several different 

sizes. Most needles have a special 

coating to help them go through the 

skin with as little pain as possible.

• Do not share your needles or 

syringes with others.

• Ask your healthcare provider which 

kind of needle is right for you.

Insulin Pens

Insulin pens are devices that look like 

regular pens with a fine short needle on 

the tip. The pens have enough insulin in 

them for several injections. Some pens 

have a case filled with insulin that you 

change when it is empty. Other pens are 

thrown away when the case is empty.

• Put a new needle on the tip of the pen 

each time you give yourself an injection.

• Make sure that you use the type of 

insulin and needle for your kind of pen.

• Do not share your insulin pen or 

cartridge with others.

Insulin Devices

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30

-35

-40

-45

-50

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Insulin Jet Injectors

Insulin jet injectors use strong air pressure 

to spray insulin through the skin.

• Insulin jet injectors do not use 

needles.

• Ask your healthcare team to show you 

how to safely use your jet injector.

Insulin Pumps

Insulin pumps are worn on the outside 

of your body. The pump is connected to 

your body by a flexible tube that has a tip 

that sticks under your skin. A cartridge of 

insulin is put in the pump. The insulin flows 

through the tube into your body.

• The pump controls how much insulin 

goes into your body.

• The pump can give you insulin 24 hours 

a day.

Insulin Devices

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• Do not turn the inhaler upside down. 

• Do not point the mouthpiece down. 

• Do not shake or drop the inhaler.

Insulin Devices

INSULIN TIP

There are tools called 

injection aids that can 

make it easier for you to 

inject your insulin. There 

are tools to help people 

that have problems seeing 

and people with physical 

disabilities. 

Ask your healthcare 

provider about tools to 

help you inject your insulin.

Insulin Inhalers

Insulin inhalers are used to take a form of 

insulin that is breathed-in through your 

lungs (inhaled). A cartridge of insulin is 

put in the inhaler. After you put in the 

cartridge, keep the inhaler level so the 

drug powder does not come out.

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Each insulin device is different. This page lists 

some basic tips about insulin devices. Talk to 

your healthcare team to learn everything you 

should know about your insulin device.

General Tips

• Never share insulin needles (syringes) 

or devices.

• Ask your doctor or nurse to show you 

how to inject your insulin.

• Always wash your hands before you inject 

your insulin.

• Do not inject your insulin in the exact 

same spot on your body each time.

– The skin may get thick or thin if you 

use the same spot.

– Inject in the same general area of 

your body.

• Do not use your insulin if it looks cloudy or 

looks like something is floating in it. Take it 

back to the pharmacy for a new one.

• Do not use insulin needles (syringes), 

pens, and injectors after the expiration 

date printed on the label or on the box.

How to Throw Away 

Used Devices

• Follow the directions on when to 

throw away the needles, pens, or 

injectors.

• You should throw away your used 

needles in a hard container like an 

empty laundry detergent bottle or a 

metal coffee can.

– Make sure the needles cannot 

poke through the container.

– Put a label on the container to 

warn people that it is dangerous.

– Keep the container where 

children cannot get to it.

– Always put a lid or top on the 

container.

BOTTLE #3

Tips on Insulin Devices

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Sign Up For A Pregnancy Registry

Pregnancy Exposure Registries are 

research studies that collect information 

from women who take prescription 

medicines or vaccines during pregnancy.

Pregnancy registries can help women 

and their doctors learn more about 

how diabetes medicines affect women 

during pregnancy.

The FDA does not run pregnancy studies, 

but it keeps a list of registries. 

Check to see if there is a registry for 

your insulin or other medicines at: 

www.fda.gov/pregnancyregistries

This booklet should not be used in place of talking to your doctor or reading the label 

on your medicine. This booklet does not list all of the benefits or risks of taking these 

medicines. The drug and risk information in this booklet may change. 

Check the FDA website for the latest facts on each medicine:

www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/

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This booklet was developed by the FDA Office of Women’s Health.

To get other FDA diabetes resources, go to: www.fda.gov/womensdiabetes

2018

You Can Control Your Diabetes

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Make a plan.

Work with your healthcare 

team to plan how you will 

manage your diabetes.

Use medicines wisely. 

Ask your healthcare provider 

when and how to safely use 

your diabetes medicines or 

insulin.

Check your blood sugar. 

Use your glucose meter 

to test your blood glucose 

(sugar) level during the day.

Watch what you eat. 

Work with your healthcare 

team to make a meal plan 

just for you.

Be active and get 

exercise. Dance, take a 

walk, or join an exercise class. 

Check with your healthcare 

provider about safe ways to 

be more active.

Watch your overall mental 

and physical health. 

Work with your healthcare 

team to keep your feet, eyes, 

heart, and teeth healthy.