How Strong Is Insulin
Most insulin in the U.S. is sold at a concentration of 100 units per ml . However, there are currently four concentrated products on the market:
- Humulin R which has a 500 units per ml strength available
- Humalog which has a 200 units per ml strength available
- Toujeo Solostar which contains 300 units per ml of insulin glargine
- Tresiba which has a 200 units per ml strength available.
Humalog For Type 2 Diabetes
Humalog is also FDA-approved to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. In addition, a second type of Humalog called Humalog Mix is approved for this same use.
Type 2 diabetes explained
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the cells in your body become resistant to the effects of a hormone called insulin.
Insulin helps your body to process glucose . If your cells become resistant to insulin, they dont process sugar as well as they should. Insulin resistance can cause your blood sugar level to rise too high.
Over time, your pancreas may also stop making enough insulin. At this point, youll likely need treatment with insulin to help manage your blood sugar levels.
Humalog and Humalog Mix explained
Humalog contains insulin lispro, which is a rapid-acting insulin analog. This form of insulin works very quickly. You take it at mealtimes to help manage the surge in blood sugar that can occur after eating.
Humalog Mix contains a premixed combination of insulin lispro and a longer-acting insulin called insulin lispro protamine. Humalog Mix works very quickly, but it lasts longer than Humalog. Humalog Mix helps control mealtime surges in blood sugar and then helps manage blood sugar between meals or at night.
Each dose of Humalog Mix is intended to cover two meals or one meal and a snack.
Effectiveness for type 2 diabetes
A clinical study found Humalog to be similarly effective to insulin human for managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Lilly’s Portfolio Of Non
When you pick up your insulin prescription, your pharmacist can help determine your least expensive option.
*Important: For many people with commercial drug insurance, Lilly’s Humalog branded insulin may still have a lower out-of-pocket cost than Lilly’s Non-Branded Insulins.
*You should consider formulary status of all medications you may be taking when making enrollment decisions.
If you are struggling to afford the medication or diabetes care you need, please call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at .
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Common Insulins That Are Available In The Us
Rapid-acting insulins
These start to work in 5 to 20 minutes, peak in 60 to 180 minutes and last for up to 6 hours. Examples include:
- insulin glulisine: Apidra.
Regular or short-acting insulins
These take minutes to work , peak in 30 to 45 minutes or 2 to 5 hours , and last for up to 2 hours or 6 hours . Examples include:
Intermediate-acting insulins
These start to work in 1 to 2 hours, peak in 4 to 12 hours and last for up to 21 hours. Examples include:
- Insulin isophane : Humulin N,
- Lispro protamine
Long-acting insulins
These take several hours to start working , have no defined peak, and last for up to 24 hours. Examples include:
- Insulin glargine: Basaglar, Lantus, Semglee, Toujeo Solostar.
Ultra long-acting insulins
These start to work in 1 to 2 hours, have a poorly defined peak at 9 to 12 hours, and can last for up to 42 hours. Examples include:
- Insulin degludec: Tresiba.
Pre-mixed insulins
Premixed insulins are usually cloudy and how quickly they work and how long they work for depends on what the ingredients they contain. Common premixed insulins include:
- NPH/regular
- Intermediate-acting insulin lispro protamine and rapid-acting insulin lispro
What Is Humalogs Dosage
Humalog prescription medications are used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. These drugs come in two types: Humalog and Humalog Mix.
The main ingredient in Humalog is insulin lispro, which is a rapid-acting insulin analog.
Humalog Mix also contains insulin lispro. But it also contains insulin lispro protamine . There are two forms of Humalog Mix:
- Humalog Mix50/50
- Humalog Mix75/25
Both Humalog and Humalog Mix come as a liquid solution that you receive as a subcutaneous injection . A healthcare provider can also give you Humalog as an intravenous infusion . Humalog Mix cant be given as an intravenous infusion.
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How Long Does Humalog Last In Your Body
Humalog comes in two forms: Humalog and Humalog Mix. Each form can last a different amount of time in your body.
Humalog can last about 4 to 5 hours in your body, while Humalog Mix can last about 22 hours.
Humalogs half-life is 1 hour. This means that half of a dose of Humalog will be eliminated by your body after 1 hour. In general, after about four to five half-lives, a medication reaches very low levels and is eliminated from your body.
The half-life of Humalog Mix isnt known for sure.
What Is Fiasp Insulin And When Can It Be Used
Fiasp insulin by Novo Nordisk manufacturer belongs to fast-acting insulin type of medications. The main active substance in it is insulin aspart, which is mainly prescribed in combination with long-acting insulin for better glucose level control in the body. It also contains naturally occurring in the body amino acid L-Arginine, which improves the stability of the medication in patients. At the beginning of the treatment with this remedy, a regular blood sugar checkup should be done and reported to a medical professional, so the correct dosage of Fiasp can be calculated individually to the patients health condition.
This medication can be administered to adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as type 2. Rules of the drug application claim that that it should be injected subcutaneously in the upper arm, buttocks, abdomen, or thighs right after the meal. In this way, it is possible to help control blood glucose levels that increase when a person consumes any type of meal. It can also be injected 15 minutes before eating if it is more comfortable for a patient. Please, remember, a special technique of Fiasp administration has to be demonstrated to those with diabetes by a doctor before prescribing it.
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Taking Humalog With Other Drugs
You may need to take other medications together with Humalog to manage your blood sugar levels.
If youre taking insulin such as Humalog, your doctor may decrease the dosage of, or have you stop taking, other diabetes drugs that increase your insulin level. Doing so helps prevent your blood sugar levels from dropping too low.
Examples of other diabetes medications that may be used with Humalog include:
- canagliflozin
- insulin products other than Humalog
If youd like to know more about taking other drugs with Humalog, talk with your doctor.
What Should I Know About Insulin Lispro Vs Humalog
Humalog is a brand-name medication that contains the active drug insulin lispro. Insulin lispro is also available as a generic medication.
A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
In some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may come in different forms and strengths.
If youd like to know about taking the generic version of Humalog, talk with your doctor.
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Can I Use Humalog At Bedtime
Its unlikely that youll use your Humalog medication at bedtime. But if youre having a meal immediately before bed, you may need to use it. This depends on the instructions your doctor gave you.
Typically, people with type 2 diabetes use a long-acting insulin at night before bed to treat their condition.
If you have questions about when to use Humalog or Humalog Mix, talk with your doctor.
Humalog Mix Forms And How Theyre Given
Humalog Mix is given as a subcutaneous injection.
Humalog Mix comes as a 50/50 mixture, containing 50% insulin lispro protamine and 50% insulin lispro. It also comes as a 75/25 mixture, containing 75% insulin lispro protamine and 25% insulin lispro. Both are suspensions that come in these forms:
- Vial for use with insulin syringes. This 10-mL vial is available in one strength: U-100.
- Disposable, prefilled injection pen called Humalog Mix KwikPen. This 3-mL pen is available in one strength: U-100.
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The Insulin In The Insulin Lispro Injection Junior Kwikpen Works Just Like The Insulin In The Humalog Junior Kwikpen This Insulin Helps Control Blood Sugar Spikes That Happen After You Eat
- Same insulin as Humalog Junior KwikPen available under a different label in the same KwikPen made by the same manufacturer.
- shortness of breath
- confusion
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Humalog, Insulin Lispro Injection, Humalog Mix50/50, Humalog Mix75/25, and Insulin Lispro Protamine and Insulin Lispro Injectable Suspension Mix75/25 are:
- low blood sugar
- changes in fat tissue where you have injected insulin
- weight gain
- rash
Before Using
How to Take
Before injecting your insulin lispro product
Learn more
What Should I Know About Humalog Vs Novolog
Humalog and Novolog are both used to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Novolog contains insulin aspart, while Humalog contains insulin lispro.
Both Humalog and Novolog are rapid-acting insulins, which means they work quickly after theyre injected. But these drugs cant be substituted for one another.
For a detailed comparison of these two drugs, see our Humalog vs. Novolog: Important Differences and More article. And talk with your doctor if you have more questions about these medications.
Humalog and Humulin arent the same drug. Humulin contains human insulin, while Humalog contains insulin lispro. And different Humulin products also contain different types of insulin.
For example:
- Humulin-R contains rapid-acting human insulin thats injected 30 minutes before eating.
- Humulin-N, on the other hand, contains a type of human insulin called isophane insulin. Its an intermediate-acting insulin that takes longer to start working and lasts longer in your body.
Humalog also comes as Humalog Mix, which contains a mixture of rapid-acting and intermediate-acting forms of insulin lispro. Similarly, another product called Humulin 70/30 contains a mixture of rapid and intermediate-acting human insulin.
If youd like to know more about the differences and similarities of Humalog and Humulin, see this drug article. And be sure to talk with your doctor about which drug is right for you.
The manufacturer of Humalog also makes a form of the drug called insulin lispro.
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Alternative Insulins For Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin because their body cant make its own insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are mainly treated with drugs other than insulin . But if these drugs arent working well enough for them, they may also need to take insulin.
Examples of insulins, other than Humalog, that may be used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes include:
- short-acting insulins, such as:
- insulin human, which may also be called regular insulin
Dosage For Type 1 Diabetes
The product information for Humalog and Humalog Mix doesnt give exact dosage recommendations for treating type 1 diabetes. Thats because the recommended dosage depends on many individual factors, including those listed above.
Your doctor will calculate your total daily insulin dosage, based on how much you weigh. According to the American Diabetes Association, a typical daily insulin dosage for type 1 diabetes is about 0.4 to 1.0 unit of insulin for each kilogram of your body weight.
Most people take about half their daily insulin dose as a fast-acting insulin, such as Humalog, at mealtimes. They take the rest as an intermediate- or long-acting insulin once or twice a day.
Youll typically take Humalog up to 15 minutes before each meal or right after each meal. How much Humalog you should take with each meal may vary. Your healthcare provider will teach you how to adjust your dose. The dosage is typically based on your premeal blood sugar level, the amount of carbohydrates in your meal, and how physically active you are.
Depending on the dosage you need, you may require more than one injection.
Insulin pump
In addition to being given as injections, Humalog U-100 can also be used in an insulin pump. If youre using Humalog in an insulin pump, your doctor will explain how and when to take the medication.
Intravenous injection
Humalog Mix
Humalog Mix contains a combination of fast- and intermediate-acting insulins.
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Are Humulin And Humalog Effective
Both medications are not only effective, but they are also safe. They are approved by the FDA for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
And every since they were approved and released for use, many victims of Type 1& 2 diabetes have come to rely heavily on them. Besides the fact that they are easier to use, they also work very fast, which is a big deal, especially for those suffering from severe diabetic reactions.
What Are The Side Effects Of Humalog
With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Severe hypoglycemia – If not treated, severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness, seizures, and even death
- Severe allergic reactions
- Dangerously low levels of potassium
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your doctor know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
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Just Say No To The Sliding Scale
Rapid-acting insulins are also effective for use as a corrective measure, aka correction factor , to maintain optimal blood glucose targets for patients in hospital. This approach replaces the commonly used insulin sliding scale. Sliding scales represent a reactive, rather than a proactive, approach to blood glucose control. They deliver variable amounts of insulin at variable times, generally resulting in those swinging blood glucose levels. Instead, the use of a rapid-acting insulin CF at mealtimes alongside an established diabetes medication regimen will result in much smoother blood glucose control. The application of this principle will be explained for each hospital setting.
Derek G. Waller BSc , DM, MBBS , FRCP, Anthony P. Sampson MA, PhD, FHEA, FBPhS, in, 2018
Things To Consider When Taking Rapid Insulin
The timing of your dose is important with relation to meals. You may not always be able to count carbohydrates, so there will be times when you really dont know how much you are consuming. This could happen over the holidays, at a friends house for dinner, or when you are out to eat when no nutritional information is available.
In some cases, the food may dictate the insulin, and not the other way around. For example, if your blood sugar is high right before your meal, you can use your insulin sensitivity factor. This is the amount that your blood sugar will go down with one unit of insulin.
Calculate what your dose is for coverage of the high blood sugar. Wait until you start trending down, then eat your meal. This works well for most insulin pumpers.
For those folks with diabetes who inject insulin, even if you use vials, it could be helpful to have an insulin pen around, which is more portable than vials of insulin. If your blood sugar is between 140 mg/dL and 180 mg/dL pre-meal, then take rapid insulin, and wait 30 minutes before you eat. If its higher, say between 180 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL, then waiting 45 minutes before eating may be warranted. If greater than 200 mg/dL, waiting an entire hour before eating may be warranted.
If you can check your blood sugar about an hour before your meal, you can do a correction dose of insulin an hour before your meal if your blood sugar is too high. That was, you will be trending a lower blood sugar when its time to eat your meal.
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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Humalog
You should not use insulin lispro if you are allergic to it, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia .
Insulin lispro should not be given to a child younger than 3 years old. Insulin lispro should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver or kidney disease
- heart problems or
- low levels of potassium in your blood .
Tell your doctor if you also take medicine that contains pioglitazone or rosiglitazone. Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.