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Can regular and lispro insulin (Humalog) be mixed?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on June 18, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com
  • Yes, they can be mixed; however, there is no real reason why you would want to mix the two as they are both short-acting insulins.
  • If you do need to mix regular and lispro insulin, draw up the lispro insulin first to prevent clouding.
  • Typically, a short-acting insulin is given with either an intermediate-acting insulin or a long-acting insulin.

It is important to always check the compatibility of insulins before you mix them.

In general, the rule: “ Clear before cloudy, draw the fastest insulin first”, should be followed.

If you need to mix regular with lispro insulin (Humalog):

  • Firstly, question the reason why? These are both short-acting insulins so clinically they are not often mixed as a short-acting insulin is usually combined with an intermediate or long-acting insulin.
  • Regular insulin is compatible with lispro, but always draw up the lispro first, and then draw up the regular insulin to prevent clouding.

Some insulins cannot be combined. For example:

  • Lantus and Levemir
  • Protamine zinc and other insulins
  • Lente insulins and NPH/isophane insulins
  • Lente insulins and protamine suspended insulins
  • Animal insulins and human or analog insulins.

Longer-acting insulins contain added buffers that make them last longer in the body, and these can settle at the bottom of a vial or precipitate out when mixed with other insulins (or mixed in the wrong order).

Do not shake a bottle of insulin. Instead, gently turn it up and down about 20 times or roll it in your hands slowly.

Related questions

Lispro insulin

Lispro insulin has a rapid onset of action and peaks in one half the time and double the concentration of a comparable dose of regular insulin. It should be injected immediately before eating or with a meal.

  • Starts working within 0 to 15 minutes after administration
  • Peaks in 30 to 90 minutes
  • Keeps working for less than five hours (usually two to four hours).

Regular insulin

  • Starts to work within 30 minutes after injection
  • Peaks in 2 to 3 hours
  • Keep working for up to 8 hours.
References

Read next

Is Trulicity a form of insulin?

Trulicity is not a form of insulin, it mimics the effects of GLP-1 a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin secretion. Trulicity is only suitable for people with type 2 diabetes who still have functioning insulin-producing cells in their pancreas. Continue reading

What are the different types of insulin?

Insulins are usually grouped as fast-acting, intermediate-acting, or long-acting. Within these groups, they can be further classified as human insulin and human insulin analogs. An insulin analog is a human insulin that has one or two amino acids changed which affects how quickly it is absorbed after injection and how fast or slow it acts. Insulin analogs are usually given within 15 minutes of a meal or at the same time as food. Continue reading

When does insulin lispro peak / how long does it last?

Lispro peaks 30 to 90 minutes after administration and lasts for less than five hours (usually two to four hours). Continue reading

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