Humalog Cartridge 3ml

Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin analog that lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. It also inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis. Its rapid action is due to a reversal of proline and lysine at positions B28 and B29 of the insulin B-chain, which reduces self-association into hexamers, allowing for faster absorption from the subcutaneous injection site.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Note: In rare cases, allergic reactions can be fatal.
Signs of low potassium levels, including:
+ Muscle pain or weakness
+ Muscle cramps
+ Abnormal heartbeat
Signs of infection, such as:
+ Fever
+ Chills
+ Severe sore throat
+ Ear or sinus pain
+ Cough
+ Increased or discolored sputum
+ Painful urination
+ Mouth sores
+ Wounds that won't heal
Thick skin, pits, or lumps at the injection site
Swelling in the arms or legs
Low blood sugar, which may cause:
+ Dizziness or fainting
+ Blurred vision
+ Mood changes
+ Slurred speech
+ Headache
+ Fatigue or weakness
+ Shaking
+ Rapid heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Hunger
+ Sweating
+ Seizures
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. If you have low blood sugar, follow your doctor's instructions, which may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or consuming certain fruit juices.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention if they bother you or persist:

Weight gain
Flu-like symptoms
Nasal or throat irritation
Common cold symptoms
Headache
Cough
Upset stomach
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Fatigue or weakness
* Irritation at the injection site

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
If you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as this may affect your treatment.

Additionally, this medication may interact with other health conditions or medications. To ensure your safety, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of:

All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are taking
Any natural products or vitamins you are using
* Your existing health problems

Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, consult with your doctor to confirm that it is safe to do so. This will help prevent potential interactions and ensure the best possible treatment outcome.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

This drug may cause low blood sugar, which can lead to severe complications, including seizures, loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, and even death if not properly managed. Consult your doctor to discuss the risks and prevention strategies.

Additionally, this medication may cause low blood potassium levels, which can result in abnormal heart rhythms, severe breathing difficulties, and potentially death if left untreated. It is crucial to discuss this risk with your doctor.

Until you understand how this drug affects you, avoid driving and other activities that require your full attention. Certain diabetes medications, such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, may increase the risk of heart failure, especially when used in combination with insulin. If you are taking one of these medications, consult your doctor to assess the risks.

Ensure you have the correct insulin product and are familiar with its administration, as insulin products are available in various containers, including vials, cartridges, and pens. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Stressful situations, such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery, may affect your blood sugar control. Changes in physical activity, exercise, or diet can also impact your blood sugar levels.

Wear a medical alert identification to ensure prompt care in case of an emergency. Avoid driving if you have experienced low blood sugar, as it increases the risk of accidents.

Monitor your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor and undergo regular blood tests as scheduled. Consult your doctor before consuming alcohol or using products containing alcohol.

Do not share your insulin product or any related devices, including pens, cartridges, needles, or syringes, with others, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing can transmit infections, including those you may not be aware of having.

If you are 65 or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as you will need to discuss the benefits and risks to both you and your baby.

• Pramlintide (increased risk of severe hypoglycemia; reduce insulin dose)
• Beta-blockers (can mask symptoms of hypoglycemia and delay recovery)
• Alcohol (can potentiate hypoglycemic effect)

• Oral antidiabetic agents (sulfonylureas, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists - increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril, enalapril - increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) (e.g., losartan, valsartan - increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Disopyramide (increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil - increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Fluoxetine (increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine - increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Pentoxifylline (increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Salicylates (e.g., aspirin - increased risk of hypoglycemia at high doses)
• Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide, lanreotide - can increase or decrease insulin requirements)
• Sulfonamide antibiotics (e.g., sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim - increased risk of hypoglycemia)
• Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Diuretics (e.g., thiazides, loop diuretics - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Sympathomimetics (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Growth hormone (decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Danazol (decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Isoniazid (decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Phenothiazine derivatives (e.g., chlorpromazine - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Estrogens and Progestins (e.g., oral contraceptives - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)
• Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine, clozapine - decreased hypoglycemic effect of insulin)

• Symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., sweating, tremor, palpitations, hunger, confusion, dizziness, irritability, blurred vision, slurred speech, seizures, unconsciousness)
• Symptoms of hyperglycemia (e.g., polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatigue, blurred vision, weight loss)
• Symptoms of allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing)
• Symptoms of injection site reactions (e.g., redness, swelling, itching, pain, lipodystrophy)

Insulin is the preferred treatment for glycemic control in pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes. Insulin lispro is generally considered safe and effective during pregnancy. Close monitoring of blood glucose is essential, and insulin doses may need frequent adjustment throughout pregnancy.

Insulin lispro is considered compatible with breastfeeding (L1 - Safest). Insulin is a large protein and is not excreted into breast milk in clinically significant amounts. It is not expected to cause adverse effects in a breastfed infant. Insulin requirements may be lower during lactation.

Insulin lispro is approved for use in children with diabetes. Dosing must be individualized based on age, weight, pubertal status, and metabolic needs. Close monitoring for hypoglycemia is crucial, especially in younger children who may not recognize symptoms.

Older adults may be at increased risk of hypoglycemia due to age-related decline in renal/hepatic function, reduced counter-regulatory responses, and polypharmacy. Start with lower doses and titrate slowly. Emphasize education on hypoglycemia recognition and management. Consider less stringent glycemic targets for frail older adults.

• Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin; it must be taken with food (within 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal) to prevent hypoglycemia.
• Always verify the correct insulin type (rapid-acting, long-acting, etc.) and concentration (U-100, U-200, U-500) before administration to avoid dosing errors.
• Rotate injection sites to prevent lipohypertrophy (lumps) or lipoatrophy (indentations), which can impair insulin absorption.
• Do not mix Humalog with other insulins in the same syringe unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional (e.g., NPH insulin, but this practice is less common with rapid analogs).
• Unopened cartridges should be stored in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Once opened or in use, they can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 28 days. Do not freeze.
• Patients should always carry a source of fast-acting glucose to treat hypoglycemia.

• Other types of insulin (e.g., long-acting insulins like insulin glargine, insulin detemir, insulin degludec; intermediate-acting insulin NPH)
• Oral antidiabetic medications (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists)
• Non-insulin injectable medications (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists, pramlintide)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so be sure to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.