What is Humalog?
Humalog, an insulin with a rapid-acting effect, begins to work 15 minutes after the injection. It reaches its peak in 1 hour and continues to act for up to 2 hours. Insulin is a hormonal substance that lowers the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood.Humalog can be used to control blood sugar levels in children and adults with type 2 diabetes.Humalog is used in the treatment of type II diabetes among adults.Humalog can also be used to treat children and adults with type 1 diabetes who are older than 3 years.
Warnings
Humalog, a fast-acting type of insulin, begins working very quickly. Use this medication within 15 minutes of eating a meal.Do not share a syringe, cartridge, or injection pen with anyone else, even if you have changed the needle.Humalog should not be used if you have hypoglycemia.Humalog may be part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes diet, exercise, and weight management, as well as foot care, eye care, dental care, and blood sugar testing. Be sure to follow your diet, medications, and exercise regimens closely. Any of these factors could affect your blood glucose levels.
Side effects of Humalog
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention: swelling or redness where the injection was administered, an itchy rash all over your body, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeats, feeling as if you may pass out, or swelling on your tongue or in your throat.
If you experience:
- Weight gain, swelling of the hands or feet, and feeling short of breath
- Low blood sugar: headache, thirst, sweating, and irritability; dizziness or rapid heartbeat; feeling anxious or shaky.
- Low sodium: leg cramps or constipation; irregular heartbeats or flutterings in the chest; increased thirst or urination; numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
Side effects of Humalog include:
- Low blood sugar
- Weight gain
- You may experience swelling in your hands or feet.
- Itching
- The skin may become thicker or hollower where the medication was injected.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contacting the FDA in regards to adverse events is simple - call them on their toll free number (800 FDA-1088).
Similar/related drugs
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Victoza, and Tresiba
Before you take this drug
Humalog should not be used if you have an allergy to insulin or hypoglycemia.Humalog is not to be administered to children younger than three years of age. Humalog is not recommended for treating type 2 diabetes among children of any age.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Humalog will be safe for you:
- Liver or kidney disease
- Heart problems
- Hypokalemia refers to low potassium levels in the blood.
Inform your doctor if pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, or other medications (such as glimepiride and metformin) are also taken. Certain oral diabetes medications can increase the risk of heart problems if taken with insulin.Inform your physician immediately if you are pregnant or nursing.If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant, follow your doctor's advice about using Humalog.
How to take Humalog?
Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions and directions provided on the prescription label.Humalog can be injected into the skin with a syringe, an injection pen, or an infusion pump. You will be taught how to use this medication by a healthcare provider.Carefully read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medicine. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Only prepare an injection when it is time to administer it. Do not use the medicine if it is cloudy or has changed color.Humalog should be taken within 15 minutes of eating or immediately after.Your healthcare provider can show you the best place to inject insulin. Each time you inject, use a new place. Don't inject in the same spot twice. Avoid injecting into damaged skin that is tender, bruised, or pitted.You should not mix Humalog with insulin pumps or transfer insulin lispro directly from an injector pen into a syringe. This could result in a serious overdose.
Do not share an injection pen or cartridge with anyone else, even if you have changed the needle. This can cause infection or disease.If you have hypoglycemia, you may feel very hungry or dizzy. You might also be confused, anxious, or If you want to treat hypoglycemia quickly, consume or drink something that will provide sugar fast (fruit juices, hard candies, crackers, or raisins).If you suffer from severe hypoglycemia, your doctor may prescribe an injection kit. Make sure that your family and friends are familiar with how to administer this injection.Watch for signs of hyperglycemia, such as increased thirst and urination.Stress, illness, surgery, and alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or dose schedule.This medicine should be kept in the original container, away from heat and sunlight. Store insulin away from the cooling element of a fridge, or do not freeze it. Do not use any frozen insulin.
Insulin Lispro: Store unopened (not used).
- Refrigerate and use by the expiration date.
- Use within 28 days. Store it at room temperature.
Storing Humalogs that are open (in use)
- Use the vial within 28 days. Store in either the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Use the cartridge within 28 days. Store it at room temperature.
Only use a needle or syringe once, and then place them into a "sharps container" that is puncture-proof. Be sure to follow local or state laws on how to discard this container. Keep the container out of reach of pets and children.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Humalog can be taken before meals, so you might not have a schedule for dosing. When you take Humalog, eat within 15 minutes. Do not use two doses at one time.Always keep insulin handy. Refill your prescription before you run completely out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An insulin overdose can lead to life-threatening hypoglycemia. The symptoms include confusion, drowsiness or blurred vision, numbness in the mouth or tongue, difficulty speaking, muscle weakness, or jerky movements.
What should be avoided?
Insulin can cause low sugar levels. Do not drive or operate machinery until you have determined how the medication will affect you.Check the label of your medication before you inject it to avoid any mistakes.Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can cause low sugar levels and interfere with diabetes treatment.
Interaction with other drug
Other medicines can also affect your blood glucose, and some can increase or decrease insulin's effects. You may also experience fewer hypoglycemia symptoms if you take certain drugs, making it more difficult to detect low blood sugar. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are taking and those you plan to take. Include prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin products.
