Basic Info.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose (sugar) levels, and is also used as a medicine to treat diabetes when the body doesn't produce enough or can't use it effectively. As a medicine, it lowers blood glucose by helping cells use glucose for energy and is taken via injections using syringes, pens, or pumps. Different types of insulin exist, varying in how quickly they work and how long they last, such as rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting.