basal insulin + prandial insulin

Basal insulin + prandial insulin refers to a combination regimen used in the management of diabetes mellitus, particularly type 1 and advanced type 2 diabetes. This approach mimics physiological insulin secretion by combining a long-acting (basal) insulin to control fasting and between-meal blood glucose with rapid- or short-acting (prandial/bolus) insulins administered before meals to manage postprandial glucose excursions. Basal insulins include agents such as glargine, detemir, degludec, or NPH; prandial insulins include regular human insulin or rapid-acting analogs like lispro, aspart, or glulisine. The mechanism of action involves exogenous replacement of endogenous pancreatic beta-cell function—basal for background needs and prandial for meal-related spikes—by activating the human insulin receptor and facilitating cellular glucose uptake. This regimen is considered the standard of care for most people with type 1 diabetes and is also used in some patients with type 2 diabetes when oral agents are insufficient[1][2][3].

Other names

basal-bolus insulinmultiple daily injection (MDI) regimenbasal and bolus insulin therapy