Key takeaways
Humulin R (insulin regular) and Lantus (insulin glargine) are both insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but they have some key differences. Humulin R is a short-acting insulin that starts working in about 30 minutes and lasts for several hours, making it necessary to inject it before each meal. In contrast, Lantus is a long-acting insulin that starts working in about 2 hours and can control blood sugar for up to 24 hours, so it is typically injected once daily. Humulin R is available over the counter in some forms, while Lantus requires a prescription. Both medications can cause low blood sugar and weight gain, but Lantus is also associated with a higher risk of upper respiratory infections and other side effects like high blood pressure and joint pain. Both Humulin R and Lantus can be used with other diabetes medications like metformin. Humulin R can be mixed with intermediate-acting insulin like NPH in the same syringe whereas Lantus should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe.
