 is a prescription medication used to treat type 1 and 2 diabetes. Humalog is a fast-acting form of insulin. It is usually given with a long-acting insulin to provide a steady amount of insulin to control blood glucose (sugar) levels.This medication comes in an injectable form available in vials and prefilled pens. Humalog should be injected just under the skin, 15 minutes before or after meals.Common side effects of Humalog include low blood sugar, reaction at the injection site, and dizziness. "Pin It")
Humalog Overview
Humalog (generic: insulin lispro) is a prescription medication used to treat type 1 and 2 diabetes. Humalog is a fast-acting form of insulin. It is usually given with a long-acting insulin to provide a steady amount of insulin to control blood glucose (sugar) levels.
This medication comes in an injectable form available in vials and prefilled pens. Humalog should be injected just under the skin, 15 minutes before or after meals.
Common side effects of Humalog include low blood sugar, reaction at the injection site, and dizziness.
Uses of Humalog
Humalog is a prescription medicine used to treat type 1 and 2 diabetes in adults and children.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Humalog
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a side effect you should watch for while using Humalog. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
- sweating
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- shakiness
- hunger
- fast heart beat
- tingling of lips and tongue
- trouble concentrating or confusion
- blurred vision
- slurred speech
- anxiety, irritability or mood changes
- headache
Severe low blood sugar can cause unconsciousness (passing out), seizures, and death. Low blood sugar may affect your ability to drive a car or use mechanical equipment, risking injury to yourself or others. Know your symptoms of low blood sugar. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for treating low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider if low blood sugar is a problem for you.
Get medical help right away if a serious allergic reaction (whole body reaction) occurs. A rash over your whole body, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, or sweating are all symptoms of a whole body reaction.
Reactions at the injection site (local allergic reaction) have occurred with Humalog injections. You may get redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site. If you keep having skin reactions or they are serious, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need to stop using Humalog and use a different insulin. Do not inject insulin to skin that is red, swollen or itchy.
Another possible side effect of Humalog injections is skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy). Change (rotate) when you inject your insulin to help to prevent these skin changes from happening. Do not inject insulin into this type of skin.
Other possible side effects of Humalog are:
- Swelling of your hands and feet
- Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia)
- Weight gain
Humalog Interactions
Tell your doctor about all the medications you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may increase your insulin requirements. Examples include: corticosteroids, isoniazid, certain lipid–lowering drugs (e.g., niacin), estrogens, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), phenothiazines, and thyroid replacement therapy.
Insulin requirements may be decreased in the presence of drugs that increase insulin sensitivity or have hypoglycemic (lower blood sugar) activity, such as:
- oral antidiabetic agents
- salicylates (Aspirin, Trilisate, Dolobid, salsalate)
- sulfa antibiotics (Bactrim, Septra, Gantrisin)
- MAO inhibitors (Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar, Parnate)
- angiotensin–converting–enzyme inhibitors (enalapril, lotensin,monopril, lisinopril)
- angiotensin II receptor blocking agents (losartan, valsartan, Avapro, Atacand, Micardis, Benicar)
- beta–adrenergic blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, carvedilol, labetalol)
- inhibitors of pancreatic function (octreotide)
- alcohol
Beta–adrenergic blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, carvedilol, labetalol) may mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in some patients.
Humalog Precautions
Do not take Humalog if:
- your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia). After treating your low blood sugar, follow your healthcare provider's instructions on the use of Humalog.
- you are allergic to insulin lispro or any of the ingredients in Humalog. Check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure.
If you have kidney or liver disease, careful glucose monitoring and dose adjustments may be required. Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems.
Humalog Food Interactions
Follow dietary (food) recommendations made by your doctor and dietitian which should include a healthy diet. Skipping meals should be avoided as this can cause problems maintaining blood sugar control. There are no specific foods to avoid while using Humalog.
Inform MD
Tell your doctor:
- about all your medical conditions, including liver or kidney problems. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You and your healthcare provider should talk about the best way to manage your diabetes while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Humalog has not been studied in pregnant or nursing women.
- about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Your Humalog dose may need to change if you take other medicines.
Humalog and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Humalog will harm your unborn baby.
Humalog and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Humalog is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Humalog Usage
- Humalog can be used with a syringe, prefilled pen, reusable pen or external insulin pump. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
- Read the instructions for use that comes with your Humalog product. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions. Your doctor should show you how to inject Humalog before you start taking it.
- Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin. You should take Humalog within fifteen minutes before eating or right after eating a meal.
- Only use Humalog that is clear and colorless. If your Humalog is cloudy, colored, or has solid particles or clumps in it, return it to your pharmacy for a replacement.
Do not mix Humalog:
- with any type of insulin other than NPH when used with injections by syringe.
- with any other insulin or liquid when used in a pump.
If your doctor recommends diluting Humalog, follow your doctor's instructions exactly so that you know:
- how to make Humalog more dilute (that is, a smaller number of units of Humalog for a given amount of liquid) and
- how to use this more dilute form of Humalog. Do not use dilute insulin in a pump.
Inject Humalog under your skin (subcutaneously) in your upper arm, abdomen (stomach area), thigh (upper leg), or buttocks. Never inject it into a vein or muscle. Change (rotate) your injection site with each dose.
- If you have type 1 diabetes, you need to take a longer-acting insulin in addition to Humalog (except when using an external insulin pump).
- If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be taking oral anti-diabetic medicines and/or a longer-acting insulin in addition to Humalog.
Follow the instructions given by your doctor about the type or types of insulin you are using. Do not make any changes with your insulin unless you have talked to your doctor. Always make sure that you received the correct type of Humalog from the pharmacy. Check to make sure you are injecting the correct insulin and dose, especially if you use other insulin with Humalog.
If you take too much Humalog, your blood sugar may fall low (hypoglycemia). You can treat mild low blood sugar by drinking or eating something sugary right away (fruit juice, sugar candies, or glucose tablets). It is important to treat low blood sugar right away because it could get worse and you could pass out (become unconscious). If you pass out, you will need help from another person or emergency medical services right away, and will need treatment with glucagon injection or treatment at a hospital.
If you forget to take your dose of Humalog, your blood sugar may go too high (hyperglycemia). If high blood sugar is not treated it can lead to serious problems like loss of consciousness (passing out), coma or even death. Follow your doctor's instructions for treating high blood sugar.
Symptoms of high blood sugar which may include:
- increased thirst
- frequent urination
- drowsiness
- loss of appetite
- a hard time breathing
- fruity smell on the breath
- high amounts of sugar and ketones in your urine
- nausea, vomiting (throwing up) or stomach pain
Your insulin dosage may need to change because of:
- illness
- stress
- other medicines you take
- change in diet
- change in physical activity or exercise
Humalog Dosage
Do not change the insulin you use without talking to your doctor. Any change in insulin strength, manufacturer, type (regular, NPH, analog) may need a change in the dose you are using. This dose change may be needed right away or later on. Sometimes this dose change may happen during the first several weeks or months on the new insulin. Doses of oral anti-diabetic medicines may also need to change if your insulin is changed. You must test your blood sugar levels while using an insulin such as Humalog. Your doctor will tell you how often you should test your blood sugar level, and what to do if it is high or low. When used in a pump do not mix Humalog with any other insulin or liquid.
Humalog Overdose
If you take too much Humalog, your blood sugar may fall low (hypoglycemia). You can treat mild low blood sugar by drinking or eating something sugary right away (fruit juice, sugar candies, or glucose tablets). It is important to treat low blood sugar right away because it could get worse and you could pass out (become unconscious). If you pass out, you will need help from another person or emergency medical services right away, and will need treatment with glucagon injection or treatment at a hospital.
Forms of Humalog
Humalog is available in:
- 10 mL vials (bottles) for use with a syringe or external insulin pump
- 3 mL vials (bottles) for use with a syringe or external insulin pump
- 3 mL prefilled pens
- 3 mL Humalog® KwikPen™
- 3 mL cartridges for use with a reusable pen or external insulin pump
Ingredients: insulin lispro, glycerin, dibasic sodium phosphate, metacresol, zinc oxide (zinc ion), trace amounts of phenol and water for injection.
Other Requirements
- Store all unopened (unused) Humalog in the original carton in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
- Do not freeze. Do not use Humalog if it has been frozen.
- Keep unopened Humalog in the carton to protect from light.
Vials:
- Keep in the refrigerator or at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days.
- Keep vials away from direct heat or light.
- Throw away an opened vial after 28 days of use, even if there is insulin left in the vial.
- Unopened vials can be used until the expiration date on the Humalog carton and label, if the medicine has been stored in a refrigerator.
Cartridge and Prefilled Pens:
- Keep at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days.
- Do not store a cartridge or prefilled pen that you are using in the refrigerator.
- Keep cartridges and prefilled pens away from direct heat or light.
- A cartridge used in the D-Tron1 or D-Tronplus1 pump may be used for up to 7 days.
- Throw away a used cartridge or prefilled pen after 28 days, even if there is insulin left in the cartridge or the pen.
