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- Humalog
Humalog
(HU-ma-log)
For controlling high blood sugar in people with diabetes
Disclaimer
The content on this page is not medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only. Always consult your health care provider or pharmacist to determine what medication and dosage are right for you.
Last updatedFebruary 23, 2023
Humalog
Humalog is a fast-acting injectable insulin used to control high blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults and children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Generic name
Rx or OTC
Available by prescription only
When & How
- Take a dose within 15 minutes before a meal or immediately after a meal.
- Inject Humalog under your skin in the abdominal wall, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks.
- Never inject Humalog into a vein or muscle.
- Injection sites should be rotated within the same region (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks) from one injection to the next.
- When using an insulin pump, sites should be rotated within the same region.
Do’s
- You need to regularly check your blood glucose levels while taking Humalog.
- Treat mild low blood sugar by drinking or eating something sugary right away (fruit juice, sugar candies, or glucose tablets).
- Store unopened insulin in the refrigerator. Once opened, store at room temperature (discard after 28 days of opening).
- To avoid confusing Humalog with other insulins, always check the insulin label before each injection.
Don’ts
- Don’t change the insulin you use or the dose without talking to your doctor.
- Do not mix Humalog with any type of insulin other than NPH when used with injections by syringe. When used in a pump, do not mix with any other insulin or liquid.
- Do not use if there are any particles in the solution. Only use if the solution is clear and colorless.
Discuss with your doctor
- How to program the insulin pump
- Any changes in excercise activity, dietary changes, or if you get ill
- If you intend to become pregnant or are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Dosages of insulin will need to be changed.
- If you have liver or kidney problems or any other medical conditions. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
- If you take TZDs (thiazolidinediones)
- If you take any other medications (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, and herbal supplements
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What is Humalog?
Humalog is a fast-acting injectable insulin used to control high blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults and children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose into cells of the body. People with diabetes either have inadequate production of insulin or cells in their body have low sensitivity to insulin.
Humalog can be taken by syringe, prefilled pen, reusable pen, or external insulin pump.
It is available by prescription only.
Liquids
- 10 mL vials
- 3 mL prefilled pens
- 3 mL Humalog® KwikPen™ (prefilled)
- 3 mL cartridges
Similar drugs to Humalog
- Lispro (Humalog Kwikpen, Humalog Junior Kwikpen, Admelog, Admelog Solostar, Lyumjev, Lyumjev Kwikpen)
- Aspart (Novolog, Novolog Flexpen, Novolog Penfill, Fiasp, Fiasp Flextouch, Fiasp Penfill)
- Glulisine (Apidra, Apidra Solostar Pen)
Side effects
Disclaimer
Medications may affect individuals differently. Usage of any medication may include side effects and other interactions. Here is a list of known common side effects and interactions. This list is not exhaustive -- there may be other side effects or interactions for this medication that are not listed here. In some cases, the likelihood of side effects or interactions may increase depending on dosage. It’s important to keep in mind that in extreme cases, other serious side effects, even death, may occur. Always consult your health care provider or pharmacist to determine what medication and dosage is right for you.
Flu syndrome (Type 1)
35% of people experience flu syndrome
Sore throat (Type 1)
33% of people experience sore throat
Stuffy, runny nose (Type 1)
25% of people experience stuffy, runny nose
Headache (Type 1)
30% of people experience headache
Pain (Type 1)
20% of people experience pain
Cough increased (Type 1)
17% of people experience cough increased
Infection (Type 1)
14% of people experience infections
Accidental injury (Type 1)
9% of people experience accidental injuries
Diarrhea (Type 1)
8% of people experience diarrhea
Headache (Type 2)
12% of people experience headaches
Pain (Type 2)
11% of people experience pain
Infection (Type 2)
10% of people experience infections
Stuffy, runny nose (Type 2)
8% of people experience stuffy, runny nose
Full list of side effects
- Flu syndrome
- Sore throat
- Stuffy, runny nose
- Headache
- Pain
- Cough increased
- Infection
- Nausea
- Accidental injury
- Surgical procedure
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Asthenia
- Bronchitis
- Diarrhea
- Dysmenorrhea
- Myalgia
- Urinary tract infection
Long-term complications
- Can cause lipodystrophy at the site of repeated insulin injections or infusion. Lipodystrophy includes lipohypertrophy (thickening of adipose tissue) and lipoatrophy (thinning of adipose tissue), and may affect insulin absorption.
- Weight gain
- May cause swelling and sodium retention
Safety notes
- May cause serious swelling of your hands and feet.
- May cause heart failure if you’re taking it with thiazolidinediones (TZDx), a type of diabetes drug.
- Can cause very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures and may be life-threatening or cause death.
- Humalog, like all insulin products, causes a shift in potassium that can lead to hypokalemia. Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death.
- Humalog should be used with caution in patients over the age of 65, because of a greater risk of hypoglycemia.
- Rapid improvement in glucose control may cause a reversible ophthalmologic refraction disorder, worsening of diabetic retinopathy, and acute painful peripheral neuropathy. But long-term glucose control decreases the risk of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.
- Allergic reactions. May cause local or system-wide allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis. Symptoms of this complication of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, fruity-scented breath, or confusion.
What else you should know
- Insulin requirements differ widely from person to person, so it’s important to have close medical supervision and frequent monitoring of your insulin and blood glucose levels.
Humalog interactions
Disclaimer
Medications may affect individuals differently. Usage of any medication may include side effects and other interactions. Here is a list of known common side effects and interactions. This list is not exhaustive -- there may be other side effects or interactions for this medication that are not listed here. In some cases, the likelihood of side effects or interactions may increase depending on dosage. It’s important to keep in mind that in extreme cases, other serious side effects, even death, may occur. Always consult your health care provider or pharmacist to determine what medication and dosage is right for you.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications or supplements
Drugs that may increase the effect of Humalog and the risk of hypoglycemia:
- Oral antidiabetic agents
- Salicylates
- Sulfonamide antibiotics
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Fluoxetine
- Pramlintide
- Disopyramide
- Fibrates
- Propoxyphene
- Pentoxifylline
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blocking agents
- Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide)
Drugs that may reduce the effect of Humalog:
- Corticosteroids
- Isoniazid
- Niacin
- Estrogens
- Oral contraceptives
- Phenothiazines
- Danazol
- Diuretics
- Sympathomimetic agents (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol, terbutaline)
- Somatropin
- Atypical antipsychotics
- Glucagon
- Protease inhibitors
- Thyroid hormones
Drugs that may increase or reduce the effect of Humalog:
- Beta-blockers
- Clonidine
- Lithium salts
- Alcohol
- Pentamidine may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia.
Drugs that may reduce the signs of hypoglycemia:
- Beta-blockers
- Clonidine
- Guanethidine
- Reserpine
Tell your doctor if you have any of these pre-existing conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Heart failure
- Kidney or liver disorders
Humalog pricing
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