Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine

Generic name: insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine [ IN-soo-lin-LISS-pro-and-IN-soo-lin-LISS-pro-PRO-ta-meen ]
Brand names: HumaLOG Mix 50/50 KwikPen, HumaLOG Mix 75/25, HumaLOG Mix 75/25 KwikPen, HumaLOG Mix 50/50, HumaLOG Mix 75/25 Pen, HumaLOG Mix 50/50 Pen, Insulin Lispro Protamine-Insulin Lispro Mix 75/25 KwikPen
Dosage form: subcutaneous suspension (25 units-75 units/mL; 50 units-50 units/mL)
Drug class: Insulin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 8, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine?

Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin lispro is a fast-acting insulin. Insulin lispro protamine is an intermediate-acting insulin. This combination insulin starts to work within 10 to 20 minutes after injection, peaks in 2 hours, and keeps working for up to 24 hours.

Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine is a combination medicine used to improve blood sugar control in adults with diabetes mellitus. insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine may be used for type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of insulin allergy: redness or swelling where an injection was given, itchy skin rash over the entire body, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fluid retention--weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling short of breath; or

• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects of insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine may include:

• low blood sugar;

• itching, mild skin rash; or

• thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to insulin lispro, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or

• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

How should I use insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Insulin is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Do not inject insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine into a vein.

Use this medication within 15 minutes before eating a meal.

If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject this insulin. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Do not inject this medicine into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Insulin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine:

• Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or

• Store at room temperature and use the vial within 28 days or use the injection pen within 10 days.

Storing opened (in use) insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine:

• Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use within 28 days.

• Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 10 days. Do not store the injection pen with a needle attached.

This medicine should look cloudy. Do not use the medicine if it looks clear or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you have diabetes.

Insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

Individualize dose based on glucose treatment goals, metabolic needs, eating habits, and other lifestyle variables.

Available as:
-Humalog Mix 75/25 (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro)
-Humalog Mix 50/50 (50% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 50% insulin lispro)

Usual dose: Administer prescribed units subcutaneously within 15 minutes before or after meal initiation

Comments:
-Duration of action may vary according to the dose, injection site, blood flow, temperature, and level of physical activity.

Use: To improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 1:

Individualize dose based on glucose treatment goals, metabolic needs, eating habits, and other lifestyle variables.

Available as:
-Humalog Mix 75/25 (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro)
-Humalog Mix 50/50 (50% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 50% insulin lispro)

Usual dose: Administer prescribed units subcutaneously within 15 minutes before meal initiation

Comments:
-Total daily insulin requirements are estimated to be between 0.5 and 1 unit/kg/day.
-Duration of action may vary according to the dose, injection site, blood flow, temperature, and level of physical activity.

Use: To improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Related/similar drugs

Ozempic, metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Tresiba, Basaglar, Victoza, Levemir, Novolog, Toujeo

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine is used before meals, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use the medicine, be sure to eat a meal within 15 minutes. Do not use two doses at one time.

Keep insulin on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.

What should I avoid while using insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine?

Insulin can cause low blood sugar. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Avoid medication errors by always checking the medicine label before injecting your insulin.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause low blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

What other drugs will affect insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine?

Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.02.