What type of insulin is characterized as short-acting?

The characterization of short-acting insulin includes regular insulin, which is designed to be effective within 30 minutes to an hour after administration and lasts for several hours. It is often prescribed for patients who require insulin to manage their blood glucose levels, particularly around mealtime. Regular insulin can be administered intravenously in emergencies due to its predictable onset and duration. Toronto insulin is also a form of regular insulin, historically used in different contexts.

Intermediate-acting insulin includes formulations such as NPH, which has a longer duration and onset compared to short-acting insulins, making it unsuitable for this category. Long and ultra-long insulin types have an extended duration of action and are designed for basal insulin coverage, further distancing them from the short-acting classification. Rapid-acting insulins, like Lispro, are formulated to act quickly but are categorized separately from short-acting insulin because their onset is more rapid and duration shorter, focusing on quick blood sugar control around meals.

Thus, regular insulin is the key example of short-acting insulin, affirming the accuracy of identifying it as the correct choice.