Which type of insulin is known as rapid-acting or short-acting?

Regular insulin is recognized as a short-acting insulin, typically characterized by its onset of action, peak time, and duration. It usually begins to work within 30 minutes after administration, peaks around 2 to 3 hours, and lasts for about 5 to 8 hours. This makes it effective for controlling blood sugar levels in response to meals.

The other options listed are either long-acting insulins or classified differently. For example, insulin glargine and insulin detemir are both long-acting insulins, designed to provide a steady level of insulin over an extended period, making them unsuitable for immediate postprandial glycemic control. Insulin aspart, on the other hand, is considered rapid-acting; while it acts quickly, regular insulin remains more traditionally categorized as short-acting due to its historical usage in clinical settings for meal-related blood glucose management.