What is a defining characteristic of Novolin R?

Novolin R is categorized as a short-acting insulin. This type of insulin is typically designed to manage blood glucose levels shortly after meals and is effective for approximately 3 to 6 hours. It begins to work within 30 minutes after injection, making it suitable for covering mealtime spikes in blood glucose.

In contrast, intermediate-acting insulins are designed to have a longer duration of action and are often cloudy in appearance, which is not true for Novolin R. Short-acting insulins are usually clear, while long-acting insulins provide sustained blood glucose control over a more extended period. Therefore, recognizing Novolin R as a short-acting insulin is essential for understanding its application in diabetes management.