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Insulin Lispro  (Systemic)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Humalog

Category


Description

Insulin lispro ( IN-su-lin LYE-sproe) is a type of insulin. Insulin is one of many hormones that help the body turn the food we eat into energy. This is done by using the glucose (sugar) in the blood as quick energy. Also, insulin helps us store energy that we can use later. When you have diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), your body does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced is not used properly. This causes you to have too much sugar in your blood. Like other types of insulin, insulin lispro is used to keep your blood sugar level close to normal. Insulin lispro works faster than other types of insulin; therefore, you may have to use insulin lispro in combination with another type of insulin or with a type of oral diabetes medicine called a sulfonylurea to keep your blood sugar under control.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For insulin lispro, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to insulin lispro. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—The amount of insulin or insulin lispro you need changes during pregnancy. It is especially important for your health and your baby's health that your blood sugar be closely controlled.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether insulin lispro passes into breast milk. However, your insulin lispro dosage, your meal plan, or both may need adjustment.

Children— This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children 3 years of age or older. In effective doses, the medicine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults— This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking insulin lispro, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of insulin lispro. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

Each package of insulin lispro contains a patient information sheet. Read this sheet carefully and make sure you understand:

It is best to use a different place on the body for each injection (e.g., abdomen, thigh, or upper arm). If you have questions about this, contact a member of your health care team.

When used as a mealtime insulin, insulin lispro should be taken within 15 minutes before the meal or immediately after the meal.

Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

Dosing—

The dose of insulin lispro will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits , especially during the first few weeks you take this medicine.

It is very important to follow carefully any instructions from your health care team about:

In case of emergency—There may be a time when you need emergency help for a problem caused by your diabetes. You need to be prepared for these emergencies. It is a good idea to:

Too much insulin lispro can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Low blood sugar also can occur if you use insulin lispro with another antidiabetic medicine, delay or miss a meal or snack, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting or have diarrhea. Symptoms of low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing out). Different people may feel different symptoms of low blood sugar. It is important that you learn which symptoms of low blood sugar you usually have so that you can treat it quickly.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety; behavior change similar to being drunk; blurred vision; cold sweats; confusion; depression; difficulty in thinking; dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; excessive hunger; fast heartbeat; headache; irritability or abnormal behavior; nervousness; nightmares; restless sleep; shakiness; slurred speech; and tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or tongue.

If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, eat glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, or sugar cubes; or drink fruit juice, nondiet soft drink, or sugar dissolved in water to relieve the symptoms. Also, check your blood for low blood sugar. Get to a doctor or a hospital right away if the symptoms do not improve. Someone should call for emergency help immediately if severe symptoms such as convulsions (seizures) or unconsciousness occur. Have a glucagon kit available, along with a syringe and needle, and know how to use it. Members of your household also should know how to use it.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur if you do not take enough or skip a dose of your antidiabetic medicine, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, have a fever or infection, or do not exercise as much as usual.

Symptoms of high blood sugar include blurred vision; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushed, dry skin; fruit-like breath odor; increased urination; ketones in urine; loss of appetite; stomachache, nausea, or vomiting; tiredness; troubled breathing (rapid and deep); unconsciousness; and unusual thirst.

If symptoms of high blood sugar occur, check your blood sugar level and then call your doctor for instructions.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.



Developed: 08/04/1998
Revised: 05/02/2001

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