Question
Newer Insulins
Answer
Newer insulin analogs are recombinant human-insulin molecules with amino-acid substitutions altering their onset/duration, more closely mimicking physiological insulin secretion than regular/NPH insulin.
Rapid-acting: Lispro, Aspart, Glulisine — reduced self-aggregation gives faster absorption (onset ~10-15 min), allowing dosing just before or after meals and better post-prandial control.
Long-acting: Glargine, Detemir, Degludec — form a subcutaneous depot or promote albumin binding, giving a smooth, peakless basal profile over 18-42 hours, permitting once-daily dosing with less nocturnal hypoglycemia than NPH.
Advantages over conventional insulin: closer mimicry of physiological basal-bolus secretion, greater dosing flexibility, significantly less hypoglycemia risk, more predictable absorption.