Insulin

Insulin absorption

• Insulin activity profiles show substantial variability both day to day in the same individuals and between individuals, particularly children
• The onset, peak effect and duration of action depend upon many factors which significantly affect the speed and consistency of absorption

• Age (young children, less SC fat faster absorption)
• Fat mass (large SC fat thickness, lipohypertrophy slower absorption)
• Dose of injection (small dose faster absorption) 
• Site and depth of injection (abdomen faster than buttock; buttock faster than leg; superficial injection slower absorption)
• Exercise (leg injection, leg exercise faster absorption)
• Insulin concentration, type and formulation (lower concentration faster absorption)
• Ambient and body temperature (higher temperatures faster absorption)

• Faster absorption results in shorter duration of action