Insulin Lispro Protamine/Insulin Lispro (By injection)
IN-su-lin LIS-pro PROE-ta-meen, ree-KOM-bi-nant, IN-su-lin LIS-pro, ree-KOM-bi-nant
Treats diabetes mellitus. This type of insulin starts working faster than regular insulin.
Drug classes
Antidiabetic (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Insulin lispro protamine and insulin lispro is a combination of a fast-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting type of human insulin. Insulin is used by people with diabetes to help keep blood sugar levels under control. When you have diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), your body cannot make enough or does not use insulin properly. So, you must take additional insulin to regulate your blood sugar and keep your body healthy. This is very important as too much sugar in your blood can be harmful to your health.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
A healthcare provider should also teach you how to give insulin shots. Make sure you understand how to use the medicine and give yourself the shots.
Use this medicine about 15 minutes before you eat. Talk with your doctor about your personal schedule, because your needs may be different.
Use a new needle each time you inject your medicine. You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given (often your stomach area, buttocks, thigh, or upper arm). Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Vial: Mix the insulin before use by shaking or rotating the vial carefully.
Pen: Mix the insulin before use by rolling the pen between your palms 10 times. Turn the pen upside down at least 10 times.
The insulin should look cloudy or milky after you mix it. Use your dose of insulin right away. Do not use this medicine it is clear or has lumps or particles.
Always remove the needle after each injection. Do not store the pen with a needle attached.
When you get a new supply of insulin, check the label to be sure it is the correct type. Do not change the brand of your insulin unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not mix this insulin with any other insulin.
If a dose is missed:
Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Keep all medicine away from heat and direct light.
New, unused medicine: Store insulin containers that are not open in the refrigerator in the original carton. Do not freeze. Do not use the insulin if it has been frozen.
Medicine that is currently being used
Vials: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you cannot keep your insulin in the refrigerator, you may store it at room temperature for up to 28 days. Keep the vial as cool as possible. Pen: Store at room temperature for up to 10 days.Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can change the amount of insulin you need to use and make it harder for you to control your diabetes. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using an oral medicine for blood sugar control (a thiazolidinedione medicine, such as pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, Actos®, Actoplus Met®, Avandia®).
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine that might lower the potassium levels in your blood, such as a diuretic (water pill).
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using aspirin, isoniazid (Nydrazid®), niacin (vitamin B3), octreotide (Sandostatin®), a phenothiazine medicine (such as promethazine, Phenergan®, Thorazine®), thyroid medicine, estrogen, or birth control pills. Tell your doctor if you are also using a sulfa drug (Bactrim® or Septra®), a steroid (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®), an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), or blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, benazepril, enalapril, lisinopril, metoprolol, propranolol, Avalide®, Avapro®, Benicar®, Bystolic®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Micardis®, Tenormin®, Vasotec®, Zestoretic®, Zestril®).
Do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
When Not To Use
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to insulin lispro. Do not use this medicine while your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia).
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, or hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood).
You might sometimes have low blood sugar while you are using insulin. This is more likely if you miss a meal, exercise for a long time, or drink alcohol.
You might sometimes have high blood sugar if you miss a dose, do not take enough insulin, overeat or do not follow your meal plan, or do not exercise as much as usual.
The use of insulin together with oral diabetes medicines called TZDs (thiazolidinediones) can cause your body to retain too much water. This could make congestive heart failure worse, or it could lead to heart failure. Call your doctor if you have trouble breathing, rapid weight gain, or swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Never share insulin pens or cartridges with other people under any circumstances. It is not safe. Sharing needles or pens can transmit hepatitis, HIV, and other blood-borne illnesses.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dizziness, lightheadedness
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat
Fast or pounding heartbeat, sweating
Hunger, trembling
Increased thirst
Mood changes
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Trouble breathing, cold sweat, bluish-colored skin
Urinating more or more often than normal
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Redness, itching, swelling, or any changes in your skin where the shot is given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Humalog Mix 50/50, Humalog Mix 75/25
There may be other brand names for this medicine.