What is the typical route for administering long-acting insulin?

What is the typical route for administering long-acting insulin?

• A. Subcutaneous
• B. Intravenous
• C. Intramuscular
• D. Oral inhalation

Answer: (A)

Long-acting insulin is designed to provide a steady basal level over about a full day, so it’s given by subcutaneous injection. Injecting into the subcutaneous tissue allows slow, continuous absorption into the bloodstream, smoothing insulin effects over 24 hours. Intravenous administration would deliver insulin too quickly and with peaks, which isn’t suitable for basal control and is used only for short-term inpatient management. Intramuscular injections absorb even more variably and aren’t used for long-acting insulin. Inhaled insulin is available for rapid-acting forms, not for maintaining a basal level. So the typical route is subcutaneous injection.

Long-acting insulin is designed to provide a steady basal level over about a full day, so it’s given by subcutaneous injection. Injecting into the subcutaneous tissue allows slow, continuous absorption into the bloodstream, smoothing insulin effects over 24 hours. Intravenous administration would deliver insulin too quickly and with peaks, which isn’t suitable for basal control and is used only for short-term inpatient management. Intramuscular injections absorb even more variably and aren’t used for long-acting insulin. Inhaled insulin is available for rapid-acting forms, not for maintaining a basal level. So the typical route is subcutaneous injection.