Key takeaways:
There are several different types of injectable diabetes medications, including insulin and non-insulin injections.
Examples of insulin injections include Lantus (insulin glargine), Novolin R (regular insulin), and NovoLog (insulin aspart). Non-insulin injections include Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Trulicity (dulaglutide).
Depending on your treatment plan, you may be prescribed one or more injectable diabetes medications. The best options for you will depend on your goals, risk factors, and preferences.
The management of diabetes has come a long way over the years, thanks to injectable medications. These medications can offer benefits like convenience, improved blood glucose (sugar) control, and more.
Depending on your treatment plan and goals, there are many options available to meet your needs.
Comparison chart: Injectable diabetes medications
Below is a chart that compares the different types of injectable diabetes medications. These include insulin injections and non-insulin injections. Non-insulin injections have ingredients that mimic important gut hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) to help with blood sugar control.
| What they are | Injection frequency | Example medications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic human insulins | Lab-made insulin |
|
|
| Insulin analogs | Modified versions of insulin |
|
|
| Concentrated insulins | Insulin at higher concentrations, for those who need large amounts |
|
|
| Insulin mixes | Pre-mixed intermediate-acting and short-acting insulins | Before breakfast and dinner |
|
| GLP-1 receptor agonists | Mimic gut hormone GLP-1, which:
|
Daily or weekly |
|
| Insulin / GLP-1 agonists | Premixed injections of long-acting insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonist | Daily |
|
| GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonists | Mimic gut hormones GLP-1 and GIP, which:
|
Weekly | Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) |
1. Synthetic human insulins
Fully synthetic (lab-made) human insulin was first created in 1975. But it wasn’t used to treat people until the 1980s. This was a monumental moment in the history of diabetes treatment. Before then, insulin used in treatment came only from animals.
Synthetic human insulins can be either short-acting (called “regular” insulin) or intermediate-acting (NPH insulin). Both types are available over-the-counter (OTC).
Here are a few examples of synthetic human insulin brands:
Novolin R (regular insulin)
Humulin R (regular insulin)
Novolin N (insulin NPH)
Humulin N (insulin NPH)
Dosage timing and duration
Regular insulin is typically injected 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. It works in your body for about 6 hours.
NPH insulin is typically injected 1 to 2 times a day. It takes about 2 to 4 hours to start working and lasts for 12 to 18 hours. It’s considered a “basal” insulin because it provides blood glucose control over an extended period of time, even while you’re not eating.
Who can benefit most from this medication
Synthetic human insulins generally aren’t the preferred choice for people with Type 1 diabetes. But they can be appropriate for many people with Type 2 diabetes. They’re often more affordable than other types of insulin.
Side effects
Common insulin side effects include:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Headache
Injections site reactions
Weight gain
Swelling in your arms or legs
Synthetic human insulins may be more likely to cause hypoglycemia and weight gain than other types of insulin.
2. Insulin analogs
Insulin analogs are modified versions of human insulin. They’re created to act a certain way in your body. These insulins were developed soon after synthetic human insulin became available.
Rapid-acting insulin analogs
Rapid-acting insulin analogs start working fast, usually within 15 minutes. Their effects last for 2 to 4 hours, which can help control blood sugar spikes after you eat. Because of this, they’re usually taken right before meals.
Examples of rapid-acting insulin analogs include:
NovoLog (insulin aspart)
Merilog (insulin aspart-szjj)
Humalog (insulin lispro)
Apidra (insulin glulisine)
Ultra-fast-acting insulin analogs are also available. They’re rapid-acting insulins that contain added ingredients that help your body absorb insulin within a few minutes. Like rapid-acting insulins, they’re injected at mealtimes.
Examples include:
Long-acting insulin analogs
Long-acting insulin analogs are known as basal insulins. They’re designed to last up to 24 hours, and some last even longer. They’re usually injected once a day and take about 2 hours to start working. But once active, they provide glucose control throughout the day.
Examples include:
Lantus (insulin glargine)
Basaglar (insulin glargine)
Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn)
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr)
Tresiba (insulin degludec)
Tresiba and Toujeo (mentioned below) are sometimes called ultra-long-acting insulin analogs. They take longer to start working (about 6 hours), but their effects last for 36 hours or longer.
If you’re prescribed a long-acting insulin, you may also be prescribed rapid-acting insulin to inject throughout the day. Some insulin analogs are available at a reduced price. For example, Lantus and NovoLog have biosimilars, which are highly similar insulins that may cost less. If cost is a concern, taking an insulin NPH along with short-acting or rapid-acting insulins may be another option.
Side effects
Possible side effects of insulin analogs are similar to those of synthetic insulins.
3. Concentrated insulins
Most insulins are available in concentrations of 100 units/mL. Some people need higher doses of insulin, so more concentrated forms can be helpful.
Concentrated insulins usually contain somewhere between 200 units/mL and 500 units/mL, depending on the product. This means more insulin is delivered in the same amount of liquid. Smaller volumes can be easier for the body to absorb. Both synthetic human insulin and insulin analogs come in concentrated forms.
Common brands of concentrated insulins include:
Lyumjev U-200
Humalog U-200
Humulin R U-500
Toujeo U-300 (insulin glargine)
Tresiba U-200
Dosage duration
How long concentrated insulin works depends on the type. In some cases, a concentrated insulin may last longer than less concentrated versions. For example, Toujeo lasts up to 36 hours, while Lantus, a less concentrated version of the same medication, lasts up to 24 hours.
Who can benefit most from this medication
Concentrated insulin can be a good option for people who need high insulin doses. For older adults, or for people who have low blood sugar and need long-acting insulin, Toujeo and Tresiba can be good options.
Side effects
Toujeo and Tresiba may be less likely to cause hypoglycemia than less concentrated options.
4. Insulin mixes
Intermediate-acting insulins can be mixed into an injection with short- or rapid-acting insulins for convenience. Both synthetic human insulin and insulin analogs can come premixed in this way. Because these mixtures contain fixed amounts of each insulin type, there’s less flexibility in adjusting doses.
Here are some examples:
Novolin 70/30 (insulin NPH / insulin regular)
Humulin 70/30 (insulin NPH / insulin regular)
Humalog 75/25 (insulin lispro protamine / insulin lispro)
Humalog 50/50 (insulin lispro protamine / insulin lispro)
NovoLog 70/30 (insulin aspart protamine / insulin aspart)
Dosage timing and duration
Insulin mixtures usually start working within 5 to 60 minutes after injection. They last about 10 to 16 hours, depending on the product. These insulins are commonly injected twice a day — before breakfast and dinner. This helps provide blood sugar control around mealtimes, between meals, and overnight.
Who can benefit most from this medication
People who have a difficult time giving themselves many injections throughout the day may benefit from an insulin mix.
Side effects
Insulin mixes can have an increased risk of hypoglycemia.
5. GLP-1 receptor agonists
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of Type 2 diabetes medication. They work by mimicking a gut hormone called GLP-1. These medications trigger insulin release after meals, decrease glucose production in your liver, and slow stomach emptying. Together, these effects can help improve blood sugar levels with a low risk of hypoglycemia.
GLP-1 agonists can be used on their own or in combination with insulin or oral diabetes medications.
Injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists include:
Victoza (liraglutide)
Bydureon BCise (exenatide)
Trulicity (dulaglutide)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Who can benefit most from this medication
GLP-1 receptor agonists can also cause weight loss. This makes them a good option for people with diabetes who want to lose weight. Several of these medications also have proven benefits for people with heart disease.
In fact, Ozempic is approved by the FDA to lower the risk of major heart problems (like heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death) in those with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also reduce the risk of worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Side effects
GLP-1 receptor agonists can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is especially true when first starting treatment and after dose increases. There may be other risks depending on other medical issues, such as gallbladder problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about your medical history before starting a GLP-1 medicine.
6. Insulin / GLP-1 agonists
Premixed injections combine a long-acting insulin with a GLP-1 receptor agonist. These medications are used for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Examples include:
Who can benefit most from this medication
If you have Type 2 diabetes and are already taking insulin, your care team may recommend adding a GLP-1 receptor agonist to your treatment. In this case, premixed insulin / GLP-1 receptor agonists can help reduce the number of injections you give yourself. But they contain fixed doses of each medication. So you can’t adjust the dose of one without changing the dose of the other.
Side effects
Combining insulin with a GLP-1 agonist can increase your risk of hypoglycemia. Other common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache.
7. GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonists
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer weekly injection used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It works like a GLP-1 agonist, but it also mimics a second gut hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Mounjaro is the first and only medication in a class called GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, Mounjaro works better at lowering hemoglobin A1C. This is your average blood glucose level over the past 3 months and is an important marker to follow.
Who can benefit most from this medication
Mounjaro can be a good option if you need more help lowering your A1C or losing weight. In fact, tirzepatide is also approved for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in certain adults under the brand name Zepbound. Like Ozempic, Mounjaro may also have heart health benefits. But the FDA hasn’t approved it for this use.
Side effects
Mounjaro’s side effects are similar to those of GLP-1 receptor agonists. It also has a low risk of hypoglycemia.
How to use a diabetes injection
When injecting insulin with a syringe, follow these simple steps. When injecting with a pen, follow these steps.
Both types of diabetes injections involve:
Gathering your supplies
Making sure your hands and injection site are clean
Choosing your injection site (belly, upper arm, buttocks, or upper thigh)
Injecting the medication
Throwing away your needles and other sharps properly
If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask your healthcare team or your pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Most people with Type 2 diabetes should aim to keep their hemoglobin A1C below 7%. But your diabetes care team may recommend a higher goal depending on your age, other medical conditions, and whether you have any memory problems. When in doubt, it’s best to discuss with your care team.
Insulin 70/30 is a premixed insulin that has two types of insulin: NPH and regular insulin. It comes in a vial or a prefilled pen. Insulin 70/30 should be injected prior to meals.
Most people with Type 2 diabetes should aim to keep their hemoglobin A1C below 7%. But your diabetes care team may recommend a higher goal depending on your age, other medical conditions, and whether you have any memory problems. When in doubt, it’s best to discuss with your care team.
Insulin 70/30 is a premixed insulin that has two types of insulin: NPH and regular insulin. It comes in a vial or a prefilled pen. Insulin 70/30 should be injected prior to meals.
The bottom line
There are several different types of injectable diabetes medications available. Most fall into two categories: insulin and non-insulin injections. There are also medications that mix the two. Common insulin medications include Lantus, NovoLog, and Humalog. Non-insulin injections include GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, Trulicity, and Mounjaro. Depending on your treatment plan, you may use one or more of these injections, alone or with oral diabetes medications.
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References
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes* (2026). 9. Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care.
Donnor, T., et al. (2023). Insulin- pharmacology, therapeutic regimens and principles of intensive insulin therapy. Endotext.
ElSayed, N. A., et al. (2023). 9. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care.
Mapp, A. M., et al. (2021). Low-cost insulin for socially at-risk patients: Evidence for effectiveness. The American Journal of Managed Care.
Saleem, F., et al. (2022). NPH insulin. StatPearls.
Vecchio, I., et al. (2018). The discovery of insulin: An important milestone in the history of medicine. Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Wong, E. Y., et al. (2021). Ultra-rapid-acting insulins: How fast is really needed? Clinical Diabetes.
