Comparing Medicines
Research studies have compared newer premixed insulin with other diabetes medicines. This research can help you and your doctor decide whether newer premixed insulin might be a good choice for you. In these charts, a 
means research shows the medicine works better than the medicine it is compared with.
Comparing newer premixed insulin and pills for diabetes
Newer premixed insulin can lower blood sugar more than pills for diabetes. Newer premixed insulin is more likely to cause very low blood sugar. It can also cause more weight gain than diabetes pills.
| Pills for diabetes | Newer premixed insulin | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits | ||
|
Better at lowering A1c.
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Better at lowering fasting blood sugar (before eating).
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Better at lowering blood sugar after meals.
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| Side Effects | ||
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Less hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar).
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Less weight gain.
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Comparing newer premixed insulin and long-acting insulin
Newer premixed insulin can lower A1c and blood sugar after meals more than long-acting insulin. But long-acting insulin is better at lowering blood sugar before eating. Newer premixed insulin is more likely to cause very low blood sugar. It can also cause more weight gain than long-acting insulin.
| Long-acting insulin | Newer premixed insulin | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits | ||
|
Better at lowering A1c.
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Better at lowering fasting blood sugar (before eating).
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Better at lowering blood sugar after meals.
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| Side Effects | ||
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Less hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar).
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Less weight gain.
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Comparing newer premixed insulin and premixed NPH/regular insulin
The different types of premixed insulin work about the same. Newer premixed insulin is better at lowering blood sugar after meals.
| Premixed NPH/regular insulin |
Newer premixed insulin |
|
|---|---|---|
| Benefits | ||
|
Better at lowering A1c.
|
Work the same.
|
|
|
Better at lowering fasting blood sugar (before eating).
|
Work the same.
|
|
|
Better at lowering blood sugar after meals.
|
|
|
| Side Effects | ||
|
Less hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar).
|
Work the same.
|
|
|
Less weight gain.
|
Work the same.
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