What Is Basal Insulin?

Long-acting diabetes control

In people without diabetes, a steady amount of insulin is released into the bloodstream, day and night. This insulin is also called basal insulin and helps control blood sugar between meals and during sleep.

Basal insulin therapy also works day and night to control blood sugar between meals and when you sleep. A basal insulin therapy may be prescribed to someone who needs an insulin to work slowly with the purpose of delivering long-acting diabetes control. It’s taken either once or twice a day at the same time every day, often with your evening meal or at bedtime, to help give up to 24-hour insulin coverage.

A basal insulin therapy, also known as a long-acting insulin, is often the first insulin prescribed by doctors for type 2 diabetes.