Insulin Tutorial 1-12

What insulin should I use for the basal rate injections?

When should I give the basal rate injections?

Two very good questions.

1. For the basal rate insulin many people use a long-acting insulin: (NPH insulin).

2. The timing of the basal rate injection varies from one person with diabetes to another.

Many people have found that the best results are achieved by injecting NPH insulin at night before going to bed (e.g., at 10 p.m.).

Many people with diabetes require a second basal rate injection, e.g., in the early morning before breakfast or, more frequently, at midday before the second main meal. Some people with diabetes even give basal rate injections in the morning, at midday and in the late evening.

The most practical approach is for you to use regular insulin for the booster rate injections and NPH insulin for the basal rate injections morning, midday and evening, before breakfast, lunch and the evening meal.

At night, the basal rate injection must be given as late as possible before going to bed.

Why does it have to be given as late as possible?

That is explained on the next page.