What is the duration of action for long-acting insulin like detemir?

Long-acting insulin, such as insulin detemir, is designed to provide a steady and prolonged insulin effect, which is essential for maintaining basal metabolic needs and controlling blood glucose levels throughout the day. The duration of action for insulin detemir is approximately 24 hours. This extended duration helps in minimizing fluctuations in blood glucose levels, allowing patients to manage their diabetes effectively with fewer injections.

Insulin detemir’s dosing schedule usually involves one or two injections per day, depending on individual patient needs, which further confirms its long-acting characteristics. As a result, patients can achieve better glycemic control without the need for multiple daily doses, which is a significant advantage in diabetes management. The formulation of detemir allows for gradual absorption and a stable release, contributing to its 24-hour duration of action.