What type of insulin is lispro?

Lispro is classified as a rapid-acting insulin. This type of insulin is designed to mimic the natural insulin response that occurs shortly after eating. Rapid-acting insulins like lispro work quickly to lower blood glucose levels, typically starting to take effect within 15 minutes of injection, peaking around 1 to 2 hours, and lasting for approximately 2 to 4 hours. This enables better control of postprandial (after meal) blood sugar spikes, making it particularly useful for individuals managing diabetes in conjunction with food intake.

In contrast to other types of insulin, such as short-acting insulin, which has a longer onset and duration, rapid-acting insulin’s swift action is key in providing flexibility for insulin dosing around meals. Understanding this classification is important for managing insulin therapy tailored to the timing of meals and blood glucose fluctuations.