Many insulin brand names are versions of a smaller number of underlying insulin molecules. Here's a general map of some widely known products by category, for orientation only - your prescription will be chosen by your doctor based on your specific needs, insurance formulary, and response.
| Category | Well-known brand examples |
|---|---|
| Rapid-acting | Humalog, NovoLog, Apidra, Fiasp, Lyumjev |
| Short-acting (regular) | Humulin R, Novolin R |
| Intermediate-acting (NPH) | Humulin N, Novolin N |
| Long-acting | Lantus, Basaglar, Levemir, Semglee |
| Ultra-long-acting | Tresiba, Toujeo |
| Premixed | Humalog Mix 75/25, NovoLog Mix 70/30, Humulin 70/30 |
Biosimilars and "follow-on" insulins
Some products, like Basaglar or Semglee, are biosimilar or follow-on versions of an original long-acting insulin, generally offered at a lower cost while working in essentially the same way.
Switching between brands
Even within the same category, products can differ slightly in concentration, onset, or device design. Switching brands should always be done with your prescriber's guidance, not on your own.