Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog used for prandial (mealtime) glucose control.

It has a fast onset and short duration, closely mimicking physiologic mealtime insulin secretion.

→ Insulin Therapy

Insulin aspart binds to the insulin receptor (tyrosine kinase receptor).

This activates:

• IRS signaling pathways
• PI3K/Akt cascade
• GLUT4 translocation in muscle and adipose tissue

Physiologic effects:

Liver:

• ↓ Gluconeogenesis
• ↑ Glycogen synthesis

Muscle:

• ↑ Glucose uptake
• ↑ Glycogen storage

Adipose:

• ↑ Glucose uptake
• ↓ Lipolysis

Aspart differs from human insulin by substitution of:

• Proline (B28) → Aspartic acid

This reduces self-association into hexamers and allows rapid absorption.

Onset:

• 10–20 minutes

Peak:

• ~1–3 hours

Duration:

• 3–5 hours

Compared to:

• Regular Insulin → faster onset, shorter duration
• Lispro → clinically comparable

• Mealtime insulin
• Correction dosing
• Insulin pumps
• Basal-bolus regimens

Typically administered:

• Immediately before meals
• Can be given shortly after starting a meal

Often combined with:

• Glargine
• Detemir
• Degludec

• More physiologic prandial insulin profile
• Reduced postprandial spikes
• Lower delayed hypoglycemia compared to regular insulin

• Hypoglycemia
• Weight gain
• Injection site reactions

Hypoglycemia risk increases with:

• Missed meals
• Increased physical activity
• Excess dosing

Comparable to:

• Lispro
• Glulisine

All are rapid-acting analogs used for prandial control.

• Rapid-acting insulin analog
• Give at mealtime
• Short duration reduces stacking
• Used in basal-bolus therapy
• Preferred over regular insulin for prandial glucose control

• Insulin Therapy
• Lispro
• Regular Insulin
• Diabetes Pharmacology