Humalog: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Uses

What is Humalog?

Humalog is a fast acting insulin (fast acting insulin) which is used to help control blood sugar in people with diabetes. Humalog is an artificial insulin that plays a role in replacing the human body's natural insulin. One of the problems faced by diabetics is insufficient (or even no) insulin production.

Insulin plays a role in helping blood glucose enter the body's cells to be broken down into energy. When insulin is not able to do its role, the sugar in the blood cannot be broken down and flows freely in the blood so that it can cause various problems if left unchecked. That is why, diabetic patients need additional insulin assistance so that the process of breaking down sugar runs properly.

The use of this drug together with a proper diet and exercise program can prevent people with diabetes from kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, risk of amputation, and problems with sexual function. Good blood sugar control can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Because it is fast acting insulin, Humalog starts working 15 minutes after injection and reaches its peak working life at one hour. This insulin will then continue to work in the body for up to 2 - 4 hours after the injection is done.

Humalog is a trademark of insulin lispro. This insulin is usually used in conjunction with intermediate or long acting insulin. Humalog can also be used as a single therapy for diabetes patients or together with other oral diabetes drugs, sulfonylurea class, such as glyburide or glipizide.

Humalog is intended for patients with diabetes mellitus, both type one and type two. This insulin can also be used for adult patients and children at least three years old.

What are the rules for using Humalog?

Make sure you have a good knowledge of using Humalog. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor. You can also read the instructions for use that are listed on the packaging.

Humalog is an insulin injection with its properties fast acting. Do this injection at 15 minutes before you eat. If you forget, you can administer the injection right after eating.

Before doing the injection, pay attention to the insulin fluid that you want to inject into the body. Make sure that the liquid is free of any solid particles. Humalogs should be clear colorless and free of any foreign matter. Do not use Humalog if you see solid particles or their color has changed.

Humalog injection is performed on the subcutaneous tissue that is in the area of ​​the stomach, thighs, buttocks, or arms. Make sure that the tissue that will be the injection point has enough fatty tissue. The presence of fatty tissue is characterized by a softer texture. Do not inject this drug directly into a vein or muscle to prevent the risk of hypoglycemia.

Clean the area to be injected each time you make an injection with an alcoholic tissue. Let the area dry before the injection is done. Do not inject at the same place twice in succession to prevent side effects at the injection point, such as lipodystrophy. Do not inject Humalog cold as it will be very painful. Use another area if the area you plan to use is red, swollen, or feels itchy.

Make sure you eat your fill when you have your Humalog injection. Its fast action can put you at risk for hypoglycemia if you are short on calories.

If you are using an insulin pump for administering insulin, make sure you have read the instructions that came with the packaging for the insulin pump correctly. Do not mix other insulin into the insulin pump.

Use of Humalog can be mixed with certain insulin products, such as NPH insulin. Make sure you issue lispro insulin (Humalog) first, then mix it with insulin which has a longer working period.

If you are asked to dissolve insulin lispro with other fluids before use, make sure you are equipped with sufficient knowledge and really understand how to mix it. Consult this with your doctor.

Do not share syringes with other people, even if you have changed needles. Sharing syringes can increase the risk of passing serious diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis, from one person to another.

The dosage given takes into account your health condition and your body's response to treatment. Measure carefully the dosage you should take, because changing the dose, even if it's just a little, can have a big impact on blood sugar levels in the body. Do not change your dose or stop medication without consulting your doctor.

Use this remedy regularly to get the expected results. To make it easier for you to remember, do the injection at the same time every day. Contact your doctor immediately if the condition does not improve or even gets worse. You may need to adjust your dose or change your medication.

Rules of saving Humalog

Read the storage instructions that came with your medicine package. Apart from Humalog, lispro insulin may also be available in different brands. Different brands may require different storage procedures.

Store this medication in a container protected from heat and direct light. Don't keep it in the bathroom. You can store this medication in the refrigerator but do not freeze it. Throw out the insulin that has frozen. Do not use it even though it has been liquid again. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

Saving an unopened Humalog

Store all unopened insulin in the refrigerator at 2-8 degrees Celsius. Don't keep it inside freezer. You can save it and use it until it expires.

Unopened humalogs can also be stored at room temperature below 30 degrees Celsius. Use Humalog within 28 days.

Save the already opened Humalog

Humalog in vials that have been opened can be stored in the refrigerator and use it within 28 days. Meanwhile, for used injection pens, you can only store them at room temperature. Do not store it in the refrigerator. You can use it in 28 days. If it has been more than 28 days, discard all insulin, even if there is still insulin remaining in the injection pen.

Store Humalog while using the insulin pump

If you are using an insulin pump, do not store this insulin in the pump for more than seven days. This will cause the treatment to be ineffective. Do not expose insulin to direct sunlight or temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius.

Do not throw this product in the toilet or other drain unless instructed to do so. Dispose of this product safely when it has expired or is no longer in use. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of this product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Humalog dosage for adults?

Patients with type 1 diabetes

• Daily maintenance dose: 0.5 - 1 unit / kg / day in divided doses
• Non-obesity may require 0.4 - 0.6 units / kg / day
• Diabetics with obesity may need 0.8 - 1.2 units / kg / day.

Patients with type 2 diabetes

• Intermediate or long acting insulin: 10 units / day or 0.1 - 0.2 units / kg / day
• Short acting insulin: initial dose 4 units or 0.1 unit / kg 15 minutes before meals
• Increase 1-2 units every one or two weeks while continuing to monitor blood sugar

What is the dosage of Humalog for children?

Children with type 1 diabetes

• The dosage and safety of Humalog for children younger than 3 years have not been established. Consult your doctor
• Children 3 years or older: 0.4 - 1 unit / kg / day
• The recommended dose is 0.5 - 1 unit / kg / day

Children with type 2 diabetes

Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

In what dosages and preparations is Humalog available?

Injection (solution), Subcutaneous: 100 units / mL (10 ml vial)

Injection (injection pen), Subcutaneous: 100 units / mL, 200 units / mL

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of using Humalog?

Tell your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergy to Humalog, which are marked by redness or swelling at the injection point, rash and itching all over the body, difficulty breathing, racing heartbeat, feeling like falling, swelling of the face, throat, and tongue.

Call your doctor if some of the following side effects don't go away or get worse:

• Upper respiratory tract infection or increased risk of flu symptoms
• Headache
• Accumulation of fat tissue (thickening) at the injection site
• Itching, rash, or arthritis

The possibility of hypoglycemia is always there when you are taking antidiabetic medication to control blood sugar levels. This possibility is even greater if you are not consuming enough calories and engaging in excessively strenuous activities. Symptoms can include dizziness, weakness, trembling, blurred vision, headaches, and even loss of consciousness.

To treat hypoglycemia, you can consume foods or drinks that contain sugar, such as kitchen glass, honey, candy, or non-diet soda. Keep in mind that untreated hypoglycemia can lead to seizures and unconsciousness, and even death.

Call your doctor right away if you notice:

• Weight gain, swelling of the hands and feet, and feeling short of breath
• Hypokalemia, characterized by cramps in the legs, constipation, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, increased thirst and frequent urination, numbness or tingling, feeling weak

Remember that your doctor prescribes certain medications because they judge their benefits to outweigh the risk of possible side effects. Almost all drugs have side effects, but in most cases, they rarely require serious attention.

The list above is not a complete list of the side effects that occur. There may be other side effects not mentioned above. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you fear will occur.

Warnings and Precautions

What should I pay attention to before using Humalog?

• Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to insulin lispro (the main active ingredient in Humalog), other insulin products, or any other drug allergies. Also inform if you have certain allergies, such as allergies to certain foods or conditions. Humalog may contain other ingredients that have the potential to cause allergic reactions or other problems
• Inform your entire medical history, both your past and current illnesses, especially if you have hypokalemia, kidney problems, liver disease, and thyroid problems.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking pioglitazone or rosiglitazine (sometimes combined with a combination of the drugs glimepiride or metformin. Taking certain oral diabetes medications while injecting insulin can increase the risk of heart disease.
• Humalog cannot be used for children under 3 years of age. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment
• Do not use this medicine if your blood sugar level is low
• You may experience visual disturbances, weakness, and drowsiness due to changes in blood sugar levels. Don't do activities that require high alertness, such as driving or operating large machinery, until you know how your body responds to Humalog.
• If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about any medicines you are taking, including Humalog
• If traveling to a place with a different time zone, consult your doctor regarding the injection schedule. Carry insulin reserves with you when traveling
• Parents and children may be more prone to the side effects of hypoglycemia when consuming Humalog
• If you are planning or currently pregnant, consult your doctor regarding the use of drugs to control blood sugar levels. The use of antidiabetic drugs in pregnant women is only permitted if the benefits far outweigh the risks to the fetus. Your doctor may provide other diabetes treatment alternatives during pregnancy

Is Humalog safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Animal trials have shown that the use of Humalog does not have a negative impact on the fetus. However, no official studies have been conducted on pregnant and lactating women. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states this drug is a risk category B pregnancy (no risk in some studies).

The lispro insulin in Humalog is known to leave the body through breast milk. However, this is known to be of no harm to a nursing infant. Even so, no official studies have been conducted on breastfeeding mothers. Talk to your doctor about using this medicine before giving breast milk to your baby.

Interaction

What medicines may interact with Humalog?

Inform your doctor about all the medicines you take, whether they are prescribed, non-prescription, vitamins, or herbal medicines. Certain drugs cannot be prescribed together because they cause drug interactions. Drug interactions cause one of the drugs not to work optimally or can increase the risk of side effects.

Your doctor may prescribe both at the same time if necessary. The dosage and consumption schedule may be adjusted.

The following are some of the drugs that may interact with Humalog, namely:

• Beta blockers, such as atenolol, metoprolol, labetalol, propranolol, timolol
• Saxenda or Victoza (liraglutide)
• Medicines containing repaglinide, such as Prandin or Prandimet
• Medicines containing the hormone estrogen, such as birth control pills
• Risperidone
• Acarbose
• Aspirin
• Carvedilol
• Furosemide
• Metformin
• Losartan
• Vitamin D3

The above list is not a complete list of products with which Humalog may interact. Save and inform your doctor about all the drugs you take to prevent drug interactions.

What health conditions may interact with Humalog?

• Kidney / liver disease
• Hypokalemia
• Hypoglycemia

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or Humalog overdose?

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, call emergency medical help immediately (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Symptoms of an overdose can also include hypoglycemia, which is characterized by sweating, trembling, fainting, and a fast heartbeat. Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, fainting, and even death.

What if I forget my Humalog injection schedule?

If you forget the schedule for injections, do the injection after you remember. However, make sure you are going to eat within 15 minutes. Since Humalog is insulin taken before meals, you may not use Humalog at the same time every time. Do not double your dose if you forgot to take the previous injection. Just skip the missed schedule and go back to the original schedule.