Which medication is typically administered as a long-acting insulin for IDDM?

Lantus, which is a brand name for insulin glargine, is a long-acting insulin that provides a steady release of insulin over a 24-hour period. This characteristic makes it particularly useful for individuals with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), allowing for better management of blood glucose levels throughout the day and overnight. The long duration of action helps to cover the baseline insulin needs between meals and overnight, reducing the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia and providing more stable overall glucose control.

In contrast, insulin lispro and Humalog are both rapid-acting insulins, primarily used to manage blood sugar spikes related to meals. Regular insulin is considered a short- to intermediate-acting insulin, typically used around mealtime as well, but it does not maintain the prolonged effect necessary for basal insulin requirements throughout the day.