Humalog: Uses, Dosage, Side effects and Interactions

Overview

About Humalog

Humalog insulins can be utilized to lower high levels of glucose in the blood levels in insulin-dependent diabetics. Humalog belongs to the drug class- Insulin. Humalog is an rDNA origin drug. Humalog can only be bought with the prescription given by your doctor. When you have diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t manufacture adequate insulin to maintain the blood sugar levels. Because of this, more insulin is needed.

Humalog ¹Overview| Researched based study from Fda.gov (insulin lispro) makes the body produce insulin. This hormone has the function of reducing blood glucose levels. It’s insulin that takes effect quickly. The onset of action occurs 15 minutes post-injection, with a duration of effect lasting between 2 to 4 hours.

Composition

• Humalog contains Insulin lispro, metacresol, dibasic sodium phosphate, glycerol, heptahydrate, water for injection and zinc oxide.

Uses

Uses of Humalog

• Humalog is prescribed for the management of blood glucose levels in both adult and children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
• Adults with type 2 diabetes are also treated with Humalog.
• Humalog is indicated for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes in both adult patients and children aged 3 years and older.¹Uses| Researched based study from Fda.gov

The effects of Humalog insulin last for different duration of time for each person. This depends on the dose, site, body temperature etc.

Dosage

Dosage of Humalog

The American Diabetes Association suggests that people with type 1 diabetes should take between 0.4 units/kg and 1 unit/kg of insulin each day.

However, the dose of Humalog may need to be changed sometimes according to the requirements.

Missed dose

• Humalog and Humalog Mix are used 15 minutes before a meal. If you’ve forgotten to take your medication, use it right away after you’ve finished eating. But if you haven’t eaten in more than an hour, you must wait before taking your next dose when you are supposed to.

Overdose

If you take more Humalog than is suggested, it can cause dangerous side effects. Use only as much Humalog as your doctor has prescribed.

If you take too much Humalog, you might experience:

• Hypoglycemia
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Shakiness
• Seizures
• Coma

Directions

How to take Humalog?

When using your Humalog or Insulin Lispro Injection, read the directions for use.

• Take insulin lispro as advised and monitor the levels of sugar exactly as your doctor tells you to.
• Your doctor may tell you to change your amount if you are sick, have a lot of stress, or if your weight, food, or level of physical exercise change.

Before giving yourself an insulin lispro shot:

• Check the label on the insulin before each shot. This will make sure that you take the right amount of insulin.
• For each shot, use a new needle. If you use the same needle more than once, you could get a dangerous infection or the wrong amount of insulin.
• Every time you give yourself insulin, change the site where you give it. This can make it less likely that you will get bumps, pits, or thicker skin where you put your insulin.
• Don’t put your insulin shot in the same spot or where your skin has bumps or pits.
• Don’t put into skin that is thick, sore, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, or otherwise damaged.

When you’re ready to use the needle:

• To stay safe while taking insulin, never put Humalog U-200 into a vein, muscle, or insulin pump.
• Administer Humalog or Insulin Lispro Injection subcutaneously, either 15 minutes prior to or immediately following a meal.

Make sure you don’t:

• Add other insulins or drinks to Humalog U-200.
• It is advisable to refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery until you are familiar with the effects of insulin lispro on your body.
• When taking insulin lispro, ³Usage| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov you shouldn’t drink booze or use other drugs that contain alcohol.

Side effects

Side effects of Humalog

The side effects of Humalog and Insulin Lispro Injection could be very bad. Some of these can be fatal too.

Mild side effects

• Low blood sugar
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Changes in the mood
• Unclear vision
• Confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Slurred speech
• Hunger
• Anxiety
• Weight gain

Severe side effects

Low potassium in the blood

• This can make it hard to breathe, make your heart beat funny, or even kill you.

Heart failure

• If you take thiazolidinedione through these insulin lispro drugs, your heart failure may get worse.
• Your doctor might require you to change how you take your TZDs and insulin lispro product or stop doing so.¹Side effects| Researched based study from Fda.gov

Ketoacidosis and high blood sugar

• When your insulin pump or injection set doesn’t work, you can have these major problems. Ketoacidosis can happen if your insulin stops working. Because of these things, you should always have extra supplies for insulin injections with you.

Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions can be:

• A rash that covers your whole body
• Swelling on the face and tongue.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Excessive sweating
• Extreme fatigue
• Weakness

Types

Types & Forms of Humalog

You may get Humalog in two varied forms:

Humalog

• It contains insulin lispro that is a rapid-acting insulin analog

Humalog Mix

• Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine (longer-acting insulin) are mixed in Humalog Mix.

Various Forms of Humalog

Subcutaneous injection

• Liquid solution of Humalog is injected directly under the skin (subcutaneous injection).

Intravenous injection

• Intravenous form ²Types| Researched based study from Humalog.com of humalog can also be given.

Vial used with insulin pumps or insulin syringes

• 3-mL and 10-mL vials have 100 units of insulin per mL (U-100)

Humalog KwikPen

• It comes in two strengths: U-100 (100 units of insulin per mL) and U-200 (200 units of insulin per mL)

Humalog Tempo Pen

• The 3-mL pen exists in U-100 (100 units of insulin per mL) strength.

Humalog Junior KwikPen

• It is a U-100 strength of Insulin in a 3mL pen.

Storage

Storage of Humalog

Storage conditions of Humalog are as follow:

• Unopened Humalog, KwikPens, Tempo Pens, and Cartridges of Humalog need to be kept in the refrigerator at a temperature between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C).
• Make sure they don’t get too cold. If the fresh samples are kept in the fridge, they should last until the expiration date on the package.
• If necessary, you can keep Humalog samples that haven’t been opened at room temperature as high as 86°F (30°C).¹Storage| Researched based study from Fda.gov

Here’s how long they’ll stay good if you don’t keep them in the fridge:

• Vials, KwikPens, TempoPens, and cylinders of Humalog: 28 days.

• Humalog Mix KwikPens: 10 days.

• Humalog Mix vials: 28 days.

Precautions

Precautions of using Humalog

Hypoglycemia

• Humalog can reduce the amount of sugar in the blood, which can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It’s important to keep an eye on your blood sugar level and know what to look for if it drops too low. You must consult your doctor about altering your dose or a meal plan.

Hyperglycemia

• Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a rare side effect of Humalog. Check your blood sugar levels on a daily basis, and if they stay high for a long time, talk to your doctor.

Allergy

• Some people may have an allergy to insulin lispro or to other parts of Humalog. If you have signs of an allergic response, like a rash, itching, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, you should see a doctor right away.

Problems with your kidneys or liver

• Tell your doctor if you have problems with your kidneys or liver because your dose may need to be changed.

Other health problems

• Tell your doctor if you have any other serious health problems, such as heart disease, thyroid problems, adrenal gland failure, or any other serious sickness. These health problems may change how much insulin you need or how your body reacts to Humalog.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant you should inform your doctor about the use of Humalog. During pregnancy, it’s very important to keep your blood sugar under control, and your insulin needs may change.

Alcohol

• Both Humalog and alcohol can make your blood sugar level go down. So if you drink while taking Humalog, you are more likely to get hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

Interactions

Drug interactions of Humalog

Before taking Humalog, you must inform your doctor about all the medications, herbs, vitamins, and supplements that you are using. This will avoid any potential interactions.¹Interactions| Researched based study from Fda.gov

Humalog and thiazolidinedione diabetic drugs:

The use of Humalog, along with the diabetic drug (thiazolidinedione), can cause heart failure.

The diabetic drugs include:

• Pioglitazone
• Rosiglitazone

Humalog and other diabetic drugs:

Diabetes drugs include insulin and pills for type 2 diabetes. All diabetes medicines work by making your blood sugar go down. So if you take Humalog with other diabetes medicines, you may be more likely to get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Examples of diabetic drugs are:

• Metformin
• Sitagliptin
• Dulaglutide
• Canagliflozin
• Glipizide¹Interactions| Researched based study from Fda.gov

Humalog and other medications that elevate the blood sugar:

If you take Humalog with one of these medicines, you may need to check your blood sugar more often than normal. Your doctor may also reduce the dose of Humalog.

Examples include:

• Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: benazepril, quinapril.
• Angiotensin receptor blockers: candesartan, irbesartan.
• Antidepressants: fluoxetine, phenelzine.
• Cholesterol lowering agents: fenofibrate, gemfibrozil.
• Antipsychotics: clozapine, olanzapine.
• Corticosteroids: prednisolone, methylprednisolone, hydroCortisone.
• Diuretics: indapamide, chlorthalidone.
• Oral contraceptive pills

Humalog and some medicines for high blood pressure

When used with certain blood pressure medicines, Humalog can make the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) less obvious. This can make it hard to know when your blood sugar is too low, so you might not treat it when it is.

Examples include:

• Metoprolol
• Propranolol
• Clonidine
• Atenolol
• Nadolol

Takeaway

Takeaway

Since its release in 1996, Humalog, a rapid-acting insulin analog, has transformed the management of diabetes. Eli Lilly and Company developed Humalog, which has grown to be a standard treatment for people with diabetes.

Humalog has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes by quickly and effectively reducing postprandial glucose levels. Humalog gives people with diabetes more flexibility and convenience in their everyday life because of its quick onset, brief duration, and low risk of hypoglycemia.

To decide on the proper dose and monitoring approaches, it is crucial to engage closely with healthcare specialists. Humalog is still a game-changer since it helps people better control their diabetes and live better overall.