What is the onset time for rapid acting insulin like Lispro?

Rapid-acting insulin, such as Lispro, has a very quick onset of action that typically occurs within 10 to 15 minutes after subcutaneous injection. This characteristic makes it especially useful for managing postprandial (after meal) blood glucose levels, as it mimics the natural insulin secretion that follows food intake. The rapid onset allows for insulin to start acting almost in conjunction with the digestion of carbohydrates consumed in a meal, which helps in effectively controlling blood sugar levels shortly after eating.

The options listing longer onset times, such as 1-2 hours, 30-60 minutes, and 3-5 hours, are more representative of longer-acting insulins or other classes of medications rather than rapid-acting insulins. Thus, these options do not accurately reflect the pharmacokinetics of Lispro. Understanding this rapid onset is crucial for effective diabetes management, particularly in patients who need immediate control of their post-meal blood sugar levels.