Isophane insulin is an example of which insulin category?

Isophane insulin is an example of which insulin category?

• A. Short-acting
• B. Intermediate-acting
• C. Long-acting
• D. Ultra-long-acting

Answer: (B)

Isophane insulin is intermediate-acting. Its action is slowed by binding to protamine, which delays absorption after injection. This gives an onset of about 1–2 hours, a peak around 6–12 hours, and a total duration of roughly 14–24 hours. That profile sits between short-acting insulins (which act quickly and have a shorter duration) and long-acting insulins (which have a flatter, near-constant effect and last about a day). So isophane insulin falls into the intermediate-acting category.

Isophane insulin is intermediate-acting. Its action is slowed by binding to protamine, which delays absorption after injection. This gives an onset of about 1–2 hours, a peak around 6–12 hours, and a total duration of roughly 14–24 hours. That profile sits between short-acting insulins (which act quickly and have a shorter duration) and long-acting insulins (which have a flatter, near-constant effect and last about a day). So isophane insulin falls into the intermediate-acting category.