Humalog Vials (Insulin Lispro (Rbe))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Humalog Vials Used For?
Humalog Vials contain insulin lispro, a rapid-acting insulin used to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Primary Uses
Humalog is used to reduce high blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with diabetes. It’s prescribed for both Type 1 diabetes patients who always need insulin, and Type 2 diabetes patients who may need insulin after initial treatment with diet, exercise, and tablets hasn’t been sufficient.
How It Works
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. Humalog provides the extra insulin your body needs to manage glucose effectively.
Good to know: Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin that works quickly to help control blood sugar spikes around meal times.
How to Take Humalog Vials
Your doctor will determine your specific dose and timing. Humalog is typically given by injection under the skin using a syringe or insulin pump.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will tell you exactly how much Humalog to use each day. Normally, use Humalog immediately (or up to 15 minutes) before a meal. When necessary, it can be used within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Inject under the skin in your abdomen or thighs, rotating injection sites so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If you used less Humalog than needed, high blood sugar may occur. Use it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Don’t use a double dose. If unsure, contact your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.
Important: Never use a double dose of Humalog. Always follow your doctor’s specific dosing instructions.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Mild to moderate low blood sugar (weakness, trembling, sweating, light-headedness, headache, lack of concentration, behavior changes, dizziness, tearfulness, irritability, numbness around lips/fingers, hunger)
- Local allergic reactions (redness, swelling, itching at injection site)
- Lipodystrophy (depression in skin or thickening of tissue at injection site)
- Fluid retention (swelling in ankles, feet, hands)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe low blood sugar (disorientation, seizures, fits, convulsions, loss of consciousness)
- Severe allergic reactions (widespread rash, shortness of breath, wheezing, low blood pressure, swelling of face/lips/tongue, fast pulse, sweating)
- Severe high blood sugar symptoms (heavy breathing, fast pulse, nausea and vomiting with inability to keep fluids down, loss of consciousness)
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before using Humalog. Make sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Humalog Vials
Don’t use Humalog if you’re allergic to insulin lispro or any ingredients in the medication, or when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: previous allergic reactions to diabetes medications, kidney or liver disease, heart disease (especially if taking thiazolidinediones like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone), or if you’re switching from another insulin type or brand.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pregnancy can make diabetes management more difficult, with insulin needs usually decreasing in the first three months and increasing in the last six months. It’s unknown if Humalog passes into breast milk in significant amounts, so discuss breastfeeding plans with your doctor.
Heart Disease Warning: If you have heart disease and take thiazolidinediones, you may be at higher risk for fluid retention or heart failure while using Humalog.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can affect how Humalog works, requiring dose adjustments. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
Dose Adjustments: Some medications may require you to use lower or higher doses of Humalog. Your doctor will adjust your dose accordingly.
- Other diabetes medicines
- Aspirin or other salicylates
- Sulfonamide antibiotics
- Depression medications (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
- Blood pressure medications (captopril, enalapril, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers)
- Growth disorder medications (octreotide)
- Oral contraceptives (‘the pill’)
- Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone)
- Thyroid replacement therapy
- Tuberculosis antibiotics (isoniazid)
- Asthma medications (salbutamol, terbutaline)
- Psychiatric medications (phenothiazines)
- Hormone disorder medications (danazol)
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions while using Humalog due to blood sugar effects.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, making it harder to recognize dangerous drops in blood glucose levels. Alcohol may also affect your prescribed Humalog dose.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Humalog affects you. Don’t drive if you feel your blood sugar level is low. Low blood sugar can impair your ability to concentrate or react while driving.
Storage
Store unopened Humalog vials in the refrigerator between 2°C – 8°C. Don’t freeze. While in use, vials can be kept unrefrigerated (below 30°C) for up to 28 days. Dispose of unrefrigerated vials after 28 days even if they still contain insulin. Don’t store in bathrooms or near heat sources. Keep away from children. Don’t use if the solution is cloudy, colored, thickened, or contains solid pieces, or if the vial appears frosted or has been frozen.
Overdose Information
Using too much Humalog can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Check your blood sugar immediately. For mild low blood sugar, eat glucose tablets, sugar, or drink something sugary, then eat fruit, biscuits, or a sandwich. If symptoms worsen with shallow breathing and pale skin, seek urgent medical attention. Immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26 / New Zealand: 0800 764 766), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even without obvious symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin that should be used immediately or up to 15 minutes before a meal. When necessary, it can be used within 20 minutes after starting a meal.
No, do not mix Humalog with any other animal or human insulin preparations. When used in an insulin pump, Humalog should never be mixed with any other insulin.
For mild to moderate low blood sugar symptoms, immediately eat some sugary food or drink like jelly beans, fruit juice, or glucose tablets. If you don’t feel better afterward, contact your doctor or go to the emergency department.
Choose injection sites on your abdomen or thighs and rotate locations so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month. This helps prevent skin changes like shrinking or thickening of fatty tissue.
Yes, but plan ahead. Always carry a supply of Humalog vials and syringes, plus something showing you have diabetes. Your doctor can provide a letter explaining why you carry injecting devices.
Illness, especially with nausea and vomiting, may change your insulin needs. Even if you’re not eating, you still require insulin. Work with your doctor to create an insulin plan for when you’re sick.
Exercise may lower your insulin needs and make insulin work more quickly. Tell your doctor if you’re exercising more than usual, as your Humalog dose may need adjustment.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.