Insulin Analogues
12 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- IGF-1 LR3Long-acting synthetic analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 with reduced IGFBP binding and extended biological activity; not approved for human therapeutic use
- Insulin aspartInsulin aspart is a rapid‑acting insulin analogue approved for prescription use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is administered before meals (or via an insulin pump) to control post‑prandial blood glucose as part of a basal‑bolus regimen. Its faster absorption compared with regular human insulin helps achieve tighter glycaemic control and lower HbA1c levels.
- Insulin degludecInsulin degludec is a long‑acting basal insulin analogue prescribed for once‑daily subcutaneous injection in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It provides stable, low‑fluctuation glucose‑lowering over 24 hours, facilitating flexible dosing and reducing the need for multiple injections.
- Insulin detemirInsulin detemir is a long‑acting basal insulin analogue approved for subcutaneous injection in people with diabetes and used off‑label in cats. It provides steady insulin action to lower blood glucose, complementing other therapies when fasting glucose control is needed. Clinical studies show it achieves glycaemic reductions comparable to other basal insulins, with a safety profile that includes lower hypoglycaemia risk versus older NPH insulin.
- Insulin glargineInsulin glargine is a long‑acting insulin analogue approved for subcutaneous use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It provides a basal insulin level to control fasting glucose and is commonly used in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as in specific acute settings such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It is administered once daily and is available under several brand names, including Lantus, Toujeo and Basaglar, reflecting different concentrations.
- Insulin glulisineInsulin glulisine (Apidra) is a rapid‑acting human insulin analogue approved for improving glycaemic control in children, adolescents and adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Delivered by subcutaneous injection or intravenously, it is designed to act faster and for a shorter period than regular human insulin, allowing flexible dosing around meals.
- Insulin icodecInsulin icodec is a long‑acting basal insulin analogue approved for prescription use in adults with type 2 diabetes. Engineered for a once‑weekly subcutaneous injection, it provides steady insulin exposure to lower blood glucose, offering a simpler alternative to daily basal insulins such as glargine or degludec.
- Insulin lisproInsulin lispro is a rapid‑acting insulin analogue approved for subcutaneous, intravenous, and pump delivery. It is used to control post‑prandial glucose spikes in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and is also approved for use during pregnancy.
- Insulin peglisproInsulin peglispro (BIL) is an investigational, PEGylated basal insulin analogue administered by subcutaneous injection. It is designed to provide a flat, prolonged insulin action with a preferential effect on the liver, aiming to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
- Insulin porkPorcine insulin (often called pork regular insulin) is a naturally derived insulin analogue used as a prescription hormone to control blood glucose in diabetes mellitus. It is administered by injection (subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous) and functions by lowering plasma glucose, similar to human insulin.
- MecaserminMecasermin is a recombinant human insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (rhIGF‑1) approved as a prescription drug for children with severe primary IGF‑1 deficiency or growth‑hormone (GH) gene deletion who have developed neutralising antibodies to GH. Administered by subcutaneous injection, it replaces the missing IGF‑1, thereby stimulating linear growth and improving height velocity in this specific population.
- Proinsulin humanHuman biosynthetic proinsulin is a recombinant precursor of insulin that has been investigated as a therapeutic for diabetes. It binds the insulin receptor with lower potency than insulin, exhibits a longer circulating half‑life, and shows a modest hepatospecific effect. Early clinical studies explored intravenous and subcutaneous dosing, including basal infusion in type I diabetes and twice‑daily administration in type II diabetes, to assess glucose control and metabolic effects.