Which type of insulin is primarily used in insulin pumps?

Insulin pumps are primarily designed to deliver a continuous supply of insulin to individuals with diabetes, and rapid-acting insulin is the type primarily used in these devices. Rapid-acting insulin works quickly to reduce blood sugar levels, typically beginning to take effect within 15 minutes of injection and lasting for 2 to 4 hours. This rapid onset is particularly beneficial for managing blood sugar spikes that occur after meals, allowing users to adjust their insulin delivery based on food intake dynamically.

In the context of insulin pumps, the ability to deliver small, precise doses of insulin throughout the day mimics the natural physiological function of a healthy pancreas. This is especially important for people with type 1 diabetes or advanced type 2 diabetes, as it allows for tighter blood glucose control.

Long-acting insulin is designed to provide a steady level of insulin over an extended period, which is not ideal for the variable infusion rates typically required for insulin pumps. Intermediate-acting and regular insulin also have longer onset times and durations that do not align with the rapid adjustments needed for postprandial (after meal) glucose control. Thus, using rapid-acting insulin maximizes the effectiveness of the pump in managing blood sugar levels effectively and conveniently.