The two insulin preparations are essentially the same, and there is no real evidence that Novolog is better than Humalog in a pump or acts more quickly or slowly.  There is a bit of evidence, not really clinical, the Apidra might be slightly more rapid-acting, and there are new insulins being developed which have interesting claims that they are much more rapid in onset of action (and hence closer to duplicating the normal insulin response to meals).  We’ll see whether any of this becomes relevant to real-life treatment approaches, and for now I do not recommend one rapid-acting analog over another.

****There are 3 very short acting insulins- aspart (novolog), glusine
(apidra), and humalog (lispro)

Dr. Bloomgarden has a national reputation for writing and lecturing nationally and internationally on diabetes, and has authored some 300 publications in this field. He is Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, as well as participating in teaching rounds in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine. He is a member of the Board of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and served on the Journals Managing Subcommittee of the Endocrine Society. He has worked in the American Diabetes Association as a member of the Editorial Board, and subsequently as an Associate Editor of the clinical journal, Diabetes Care, Read full bio |