Spotlight on Insulin Lispro in Diabetes Mellitus*

Insulin lispro is a recombinant insulin analog with transposed amino acids (proline and lysine) at positions 28 and 29 near the C-terminus of the B-chain. The most prominent practical advantage of insulin lispro over human soluble insulin lies in its very rapid onset of action. This property allows it to be injected immediately before meals and minimizes the demands made on patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and those with type 2 disease who require insulin, by the ongoing need for careful meal planning and timing. Numerous clinical studies have shown significant improvements in postprandial glycemic control, with some evidence of reduced rates of severe or nocturnal hypoglycemia, relative to conventional human insulin in patients receiving lispro-based insulins.