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Humalog

Brand Names

; Humalog® ; Humalog® Mix 50/50™ ; Humalog® Mix 75/25™ ; Humulin® 50/50 ; Humulin® 70/30 ; Humulin® L ; Humulin® N ; Humulin® R ; Humulin® Ultralente ; Lantus® ; Lente® Iletin® II ; Lente® Insulin ; Lente® L ; Novolin® 70/30 ; Novolin® L ; Novolin® N ; Novolin® R ; NovoLog™ ; NPH Iletin® I ; NPH-N ; Pork NPH Iletin® II ; Pork Regular Iletin® II ; Regular (Concentrated) Iletin® II U-500 ; Regular Iletin® I ; Velosulin® BR Human (Buffered)

Foreign Brand Names

; Insulina Lenta® (Mexico) ; Insulina NPH® (Mexico) ; Insulina Regular® (Mexico)

Therapeutic Categories

Antidiabetic Agent (Insulin); Antidote

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to manage blood sugar in a patient who has diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1 and sometimes, type 2).
• For type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medicine.
• Pregnant women with diabetes caused by pregnancy, who are not controlled by diet alone, may require insulin.

How does it work?

• Insulin is a hormone necessary for the body's use of food, especially sugar. Type 1 diabetics have no insulin of their own and require complete replacement. Type 2 diabetics still make insulin, but may require an outside source if their blood sugars are very elevated. Sometimes only short-term use of this medicine is needed for type 2 diabetes.

How is it best taken?

• Take exactly as directed, by needle, into the fat stores of the skin. Talk to healthcare provider for complete education.
• Follow diabetic diet recommended by healthcare provider.
• Throw away needles in red box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Start eating within 5 to 10 minutes after injecting NovoLog™ insulin.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for diabetes.
• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause low blood sugar. This is most common if you miss a meal.
• Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugars.
• If you are 80 years of age or older, you may be more sensitive to low blood sugars (more confusion).
• Do not drive if blood sugar has been low. There is a greater risk of an accident.
• Increases in exercise can decrease insulin needs (be consistent).
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding. Insulin dose may change.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Low blood sugar. This can cause anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating. Can be life-threatening if not treated with hard candies, liquid glucose, milk.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Weight gain (seen in type 2 diabetics).

What should I monitor?

• Check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Call if glucose is less than 80 mg/dL or greater than 250 mg/dL. Bring results to follow-up visits.
• Watch for low blood sugar. This can cause anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating.
• Watch for high blood sugar. Causes many trips to the bathroom, thirst, and weight loss.
• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Have an eye exam and visit to the foot doctor every year.
• Check weight.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or pain.
• Low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Check insulin's expiration date (on box and vial). If expired, do not use.
• Unopened vials should be refrigerated. Do not freeze.
• Opened vials can be stored at room temperature. Store away from direct light and extreme temperatures.
• Opened vials should be thrown away after 1 month.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).