What is Humalog
Insulin
is a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas. Insulin enables
the body to use the sugar in food as a source of energy. When
the body does not produce enough insulin, or when the insulin
produced by the body is not effective enough, the condition
is called diabetes mellitus. This condition allows sugar levels
in the blood to become very high. Diabetics must use man-made
insulin or insulin that comes from pigs (which is very similar
to human insulin) to lower these high blood sugar levels.
Humalog
is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Humalog
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Humalog
Humalog differs from regular human insulin by how
quickly it begins to work and the amount of time it continues
to be effective. Because Humalog begins to work soon after
it is injected, the injection of Humalog should be given
within 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal. Hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar) may occur if eating is delayed.
Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
which include shaking; nausea; headache; drowsiness; weakness;
dizziness; fast heartbeat; sweating; pale, cool skin; anxiety;
and difficulty concentrating. Carry a piece of candy or
glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood
sugar.
Follow any diet and exercise plan that you
have developed with your doctor or nurse. Changes in what
you eat or how much you exercise can change the amount of
insulin that you need to control your blood sugar levels.
Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick
with a cold, flu, or fever. These illnesses may change your
insulin requirements.
Do not change the brand of
Insulin lispro or syringe that you are using without first
talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Some brands of insulin
lispro and syringes are interchangeable, while others are
not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know which brands can
be substituted for one another.
What you should discuss with your doctor before
using Humalog Do not use Humalog if you are allergic to insulin
or if you have intolerance to a certain Insulin lispro products.
Before using Humalog, tell your doctor if you have
any other medical conditions or if you take other prescription
or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal supplements.
Before using Humalog, tell
your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment.
Humalog is in the FDA pregnancy category
B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment.
It is not known whether Humalog
passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should you use Humalog Use Humalog exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Humalog
differs from regular human insulin by how quickly it begins
to work and the amount of time it continues to be effective.
Because Humalog begins to work soon after it is injected,
the injection of Humalog should be given within 15 minutes
before or immediately after a meal. Hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) may occur if eating is delayed.
If the insulin
has been stored in the refrigerator, it can be warmed to
room temperature before use.
Do not use any insulin
that is discolored, looks thick, has particles in it, or
looks different from previous bottles, cartridges, or pens
of Humalog.
Use only the approved delivery device(s)
for cartridges or prefilled syringes of insulin.
If you are mixing different types of insulins in the same
syringe, follow your doctor's directions and always draw
up the different insulins in the same order (usually the
clear insulin first). This may help prevent a dosage error.
Do not mix different insulins in the same syringe unless
specifically directed to do so by your doctor. Some types
of insulin should not be mixed.
Change injection
sites exactly as directed by your doctor. Usually, you should
not inject within 1 inch of the same site within 1 month.
Never reuse a needle or syringe. Dispose of all needles
and syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant disposal
container.
Do not change the insulin strength (e.g.,
U-100) or insulin type (e.g., lispro, regular, isophane,
etc.) unless your doctor approves a change for you.
Do not change the brand of insulin lispro or syringe that
you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Some brands of insulin lispro and syringes are interchangeable,
while others are not. Your doctor and/or pharmacist know
which brands can be substituted for one another.
Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed
with your doctor or nurse. Changes in what
you eat or how
much you exercise can change the amount of insulin that
you need to control your blood sugar levels.
Ask
your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick with a cold,
flu, or fever. These illnesses may change your insulin requirements.
Wear some type of medical identification bracelet,
necklace, or other alert tag to inform others that you have
diabetes and that you require insulin in the case of an
emergency.
Your healthcare provider may recommend
regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood or urine
tests.
Proper foot care, eye care, dental care, and
overall proper health care are important for people with
diabetes. Visit your doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and other
heath care practitioners as recommended by your doctor.
Store unopened bottles, cartridges, and prefilled
syringes of Humalog in the refrigerator between 36 and 46
degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius). Do not store
Humalog in the freezer and do not allow it to freeze. Do
not use Humalog if it has been frozen. Throw away any expired
Humalog.
Vials and cartridges of Humalog can be kept
unrefrigerated for up to 28 days, but should not be exposed
to excessive heat or sunlight
Once punctured, the
insulin vial or cartridge in use, whether stored in the
refrigerator or at room temperature, must be used within
28 days. Throw away any unused insulin 28 days after the
vial or cartridge is first punctured.
If you have
been directed by your healthcare provider to use diluted
Humalog, the diluted solution may be used for 28 days when
refrigerated (41 degrees Fahrenheit/5 degrees Celsius) or
for 14 days when stored at room temperature (86 degrees
Fahrenheit/30 degrees Celsius).
If you miss a dose: Follow your doctor's directions if you miss a dose
of insulin. To prevent missed doses, be sure to always have
enough insulin on hand, especially if you are going on vacation.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of an insulin overdose reflect
very low blood sugar levels and include headache, irregular
heartbeat, increased heart rate or pulse, sweating, tremor,
nausea, increased hunger, and anxiety.
What should you avoid while using Humalog Do not use alcohol without first talking to your
doctor. It lowers blood sugar, and you may experience dangerously
low blood sugar levels.
Follow any diet and exercise
plan that you have developed with your doctor or nurse.
Changes in what
you eat or how much you exercise can change
the amount of insulin you need to control your blood sugar
levels.
Possible side effects of Humalog Rarely, people have allergic reactions to insulin.
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
The side
effects of insulin therapy result mostly from blood sugar
levels that are either too high or too low. You should be
familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar
levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure
your family and close friends know how to help you in an
emergency.
Low blood sugar may occur when too much
insulin is used; when meals are missed or delayed; if you
exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with
vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after
drinking alcohol; and in other situations.
Hypoglycemia,
or low blood sugar, has the following symptoms: shaking,
nausea, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast
heartbeat, sweating, pale, cool skin, anxiety, and difficulty
concentrating.
Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate;
fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes
of low blood sugar.
Increased blood sugar may occur
if not enough insulin is used, if you eat significantly
more food then usual, if you exercise less than usual, if
you take other medications, if you have a fever or other
illness, and in other situations.
Hyperglycemia,
or high blood sugar, has the following symptoms: increased
thirst, increased hunger, and increased urination.
Monitor your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how
to adjust your insulin doses if your blood sugar levels
are too high.
Side effects may also occur at the
site of injection. If the area becomes thickened, hard,
or pitted, talk to your doctor before injecting at that
site again.
Side effects other than those listed
here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Humalog
Many
drugs can interact with insulin or affect your blood sugar
levels. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products,
without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist during
treatment with insulin. |