Insulin Lispro Injection

Insulin lispro is a human-made insulin that works quickly to help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. It starts working within 10 to 15 minutes and lasts around five hours. Your healthcare team may call it fast- or rapid-acting insulin.

You inject insulin lispro right before a meal (or within 15 minutes of starting a meal). It helps manage the rise in blood sugar (glucose) levels that happens after eating. It treats both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Common brand names are:

• Admelog®
• Humalog®
• Lyumjev® (known as insulin lispro-aabc)

The main differences in the brand names are who makes them and how quickly they work and wear off. Traditional insulin lispro medications, like Ademlog and Humalog, work within about 15 minutes after injection. Lyumjev can begin working in about 10 minutes.

How do you take insulin lispro?

Insulin lispro is a clear, colorless liquid. You can get it in several forms, but it usually comes in a prefilled pen. Some people also use vials and syringes. It comes in prefilled cartridges, too, which can be used with a reusable insulin pen. Insulin lispro is often used with insulin pumps.

Here’s how to give yourself an insulin pen injection (the most common way to get insulin lispro):

1. Remove the pen cap.
2. Attach a pen needle to the tip of the pen.
3. Take the cap off the needle tip of the pen.
4. Dial to 2 units, hold the pen in the air, and prime the pen to remove air and make sure insulin is flowing before each use.
5. Clean your site with soap and water or alcohol. You typically inject lispro in the fatty tissue of your stomach, outer thigh or upper arm. You should rotate where you inject each time.
6. Inject insulin lispro five to 15 minutes before your meal. Discard the pen needle. Reattach the pen cap.
7. Have food ready before injection.
8. Eat within 15 minutes.

What are the dosages?

Insulin is measured in units. There isn’t a standard dose — it’s unique to you. Your dosage depends on:

• Your blood sugar patterns
• Your weight and activity level
• How many carbohydrates you eat at meals
• Other insulin or diabetes medications you take

Most people will need anywhere from 2 to 20 units per meal. But this varies widely. Your healthcare provider is the best person to discuss dosing instructions with. The pen can give up to 60 units per injection.

How does insulin lispro work?

Normally, your body releases insulin to handle the rise in blood sugar from your food. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or it doesn’t work well. Insulin lispro helps your body manage the rise in blood sugar after you eat.

It tells cells in your liver, fat and muscles to take in sugar from your blood for energy. It also tells your liver to release less sugar into your blood.

What if I forget to inject insulin lispro before a meal?

If you miss a dose:

• You can inject a missed dose right away if you remember shortly after a meal.
• If you remember after more time has passed, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Or call them if you aren’t sure what to do.
• Don’t double up before your next meal to make up for missed doses.

Will I need to take other insulin injections?

People with Type 1 diabetes usually need two types of insulin: long-acting insulin and fast-acting insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes may take pills, non-insulin injectables or insulin.

This is because insulins work in different ways:

• Rapid-acting insulin starts working within minutes. It’s only effective for a few hours.
• Regular-acting insulin starts working within 30 minutes and is effective for several hours.
• Long-acting insulin can take a few hours to start working. But it remains effective for 24 hours or longer.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking this medicine?

It’s important to share whether you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding.

They also need to know if you have:

• An allergy to insulin, metacresol, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• Blurry vision
• Eye disease, like diabetic retinopathy
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)

What are the benefits of insulin lispro?

The main benefit is that your body maintains healthy blood glucose levels. This may help you avoid complications of diabetes, which can include:

• Eye problems
• Gum disease
• Heart attack
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage (neuropathic pain)
• Stroke

Insulin lispro risks and side effects

You may experience side effects when you use insulin lispro injections. This can also happen if you change your dose.

Some immediate side effects could include:

• Low blood sugar
• Headache
• Weight gain

Other risks and complications are:

• Low blood sugar or blood sugar swings
• Pain, swelling or burning sensation at the injection site
• Skin turning thick or lumpy from not changing your injection site (lipohypertrophy)

Is it possible to overdose on lispro insulin?

Yes. Taking too much fast-acting insulin can cause low blood sugar. You may be able to treat it on your own by eating or drinking something sugary.

Signs of a severe overdose need immediate medical care and include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting
• Seizure

It’s important to check your blood sugar regularly and make sure it stays within a healthy range.

What interacts with insulin lispro?

Tell your provider about any medications you take. Drugs that affect blood glucose levels can put you at risk for low blood sugar or make your insulin medication less effective. For example, the following can either lower or raise your blood sugar:

• Other diabetes medications
• Certain heart medications
• Alcohol
• Corticosteroids
• Diuretics
• Certain thyroid medications