What is the typical onset time for very long acting insulin?

Very long-acting insulins, such as insulin glargine and insulin degludec, are designed to provide a stable and prolonged insulin effect over an extended period. The typical onset time for these insulins is around 1 to 2 hours after subcutaneous injection.

This period allows the insulin molecules to begin to lower blood glucose levels effectively, making it suitable for maintaining basal insulin levels in those with diabetes. Patients using very long-acting insulin benefit from this predictable onset, as it supports a more consistent control of glucose levels throughout the day and night, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia when taken as prescribed.

In contrast, options indicating shorter or longer onset times do not accurately reflect the pharmacokinetics of very long-acting insulins. Insulins with a 30-minute onset are typically intermediate-acting insulin or fast-acting formulations, whereas an onset of 3-4 hours or even 5-10 hours would be inconsistent with the properties of very long-acting insulins. Therefore, the understanding of the pharmacodynamics of these insulins directly supports the conclusion that 1-2 hours is the correct time frame for their onset.