Lispro insulin is a fast-acting insulin drug used for treating hyperglycemia typically caused by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It is prescribed for diabetes mellitus, mimicking the effects of natural human insulin, a peptide hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas that aids in glucose metabolism.
The pancreas releases insulin to help in glucose absorption into internal organs and tissues such as the liver, fat cells, and skeletal muscle. Among its many other roles, insulin prevents hepatic glucose creation, boosts protein synthesis, and prevents lipo- and proteolysis.
What is Insulin Lispro’s Peak?
It is a type of analog insulin. It is produced by genetically altering human insulin. This property of it enables it to last for a shorter time and be absorbed more quickly by the body than conventional insulin.
Here’s additional information you need to know on how Insulin works:
- Sets within 0 to 15 minutes after intake.
- Peaks in 30 to 90 minutes
- Lasts for less than five hours
This indicates that Insulin Lispro can be taken 15 minutes before eating. It is safer than conventional insulin, which must be given 30 minutes before mealtime, especially if a meal is skipped or delayed. Hypoglycemia may develop if you forgot to eat before taking your medication.
How is Insulin Lispro Produced?
A genetically altered insulin is called an analog, and Insulin Lispro is one of them. Specifically, it is created by changing the positions of two beta-chain amino acids: proline at B-28 is swapped for lysine at B-29.
As a result, the insulin dissolves more quickly into molecules like dimers and monomers. In other words, they are absorbed more rapidly after subcutaneous injection.
Besides lowering the blood sugar level, just like other types of insulin, it also provides the following advantages:
- Faster subcutaneous absorption time
- Higher and earlier peak insulin
- Quicker post-peak decreases
Note: There is also an Insulin Lispro protamine suspension with a longer half-life. Insulin lispro protamine suspension (intermediate-acting insulin) and Insulin Lispro (short-acting insulin) are both ingredients in Humalog 75:25.