Abstract
Since 1922, when insulin was first used to treat type 1 diabetes, we have witnessed an era of monocomponent (MC) insulins, later an era of human (HM) insulins, and currently we are witnessing an era of insulin analogues. Insulin analogues are derived from the HM insulin molecule in which a structural change in the sequence of some amino acids in chain B (or even in chain A) will be reflected in the pharmacokinetic properties.
Short-acting insulin analogues, including lispro, aspart and glulisine, have a more rapid onset of effect and a shorter duration than standard soluble HM insulins and they also pose a significantly lower risk of both early and late postprandial hyperglycaemia. The administration of glargine or detemir, the long-acting insulin analogues, provides a balanced profile of basal insulin with a decreased glycaemia fluctuation and it also significantly reduces the frequency of hypoglycaemias (particularly at night).