1. Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
2. Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow
3. Take the Diabetes Quiz!

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• What is the treatment for diabetes?
• Medications for type 2 diabetes
• Sulfonylureas
• Meglitinides - (Prandin and Starlix)
• Medications that decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver
• Medications that increase glucose excretion by the kidney
• Medications that increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin (Actos and Avandia)
• Medications that decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine (Precose)
• Medications that affect glycemic control (Symlin, Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon)
• DPP-IV inhibitors
• Combination medications
• Treatment of diabetes with insulin
• Different methods of delivering insulin
• Pre-filled insulin pens
• Insulin pump
• Inhaled Insulin
• Intranasal, Transderm
• Diabetes diet
• The future of pancreas transplantation
• Patient Comments: Diabetes - Diet
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Treatment - Effective Treatments
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Treatment - Medications
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• Diabetes Treatment Index

Insulin is the mainstay of treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. Insulin is also important in type 2 diabetes when blood glucose levels cannot be controlled by diet, weight loss, exercise, and oral medications.

Ideally, insulin should be administered in a manner that mimics the natural pattern of insulin secretion by a healthy pancreas; however, the complex pattern of insulin secretion by the pancreas is difficult to duplicate. Still, adequate blood glucose control can be achieved with careful attention to diet, regular exercise, home blood glucose monitoring, and multiple insulin injections throughout the day. Taking care of your diabetes with careful home care and monitoring assists in controlling blood sugar levels and effective diabetes treatment.

In the past, the insulin was being derived from animal sources, particularly cows and pigs. Not only was there a problem with enough supply of insulin to meet the demand, but beef and pork insulin also had specific problems. Originating from animals, these types of insulin caused immune reactions in some people. Patients would become intolerant or resistant to animal insulin. With the acceleration of scientific research in the latter half of the twentieth century, beef and pork insulin were replaced by human insulin. In 1977, the gene for human insulin was cloned, and through modern technology, manufactured human insulin was made available. Human insulin is now widely used.

Insulin comes in a variety of preparations that differ in the amount of time following injection until they begin to work and the duration of their action. Because of these differences, combinations of insulin are often used to allow for a more tailored regimen of blood sugar control. The types of insulin currently in use are as follows:

• Rapid-acting insulins begin to take effect 5 minutes after administration. Their peak effect occurs in about 1 hour, and they continue to have an effect for 2 to 4 hours total. Examples are insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin gliulisine.
• Regular insulins takes effect within 30 minutes, peak at 2 to 3 hours after injection, and is effective for 3 to 6 hours total.
• Intermediate-acting insulins typically have an effect about 2 to 4 hours after injection, peak 4 to 12 hours later, and are effective for about 12 to 18 hours.
• Long-acting insulins take effect within 6 to 10 hours. They are usually effective for 20 to 24 hours. The two long-acting insulin analogues glargine and detemir generally lower glucose levels fairly evenly over a 24-hour period.