Humalog Cartridges (Insulin Lispro (Rbe))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Humalog Cartridges Used For?
Humalog cartridges contain insulin lispro, a rapid-acting insulin used to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Primary Uses
Humalog insulins are used to reduce high blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with diabetes. There are 3 types available: HUMALOG (solution), HUMALOG MIX25, and HUMALOG MIX50 (pre-mixed suspensions). They are used for both Type 1 diabetes (where patients always need insulin) and Type 2 diabetes (where some patients may need insulin after initial treatment with diet, exercise, and tablets).
How It Works
Diabetes is a condition where your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control your blood sugar level. Humalog provides the extra insulin needed to help manage blood glucose levels effectively.
Good to know: Each type of Humalog insulin varies in how long they work in your body, allowing for personalized diabetes management.
How to Take Humalog Cartridges
Your doctor will determine the exact dose you need. Humalog cartridges are used with a reusable pen (HumaPen) or subcutaneous infusion pump for injection under the skin.
Dosage Instructions
Use HUMALOG immediately (or up to 15 minutes) before a meal. When necessary, HUMALOG can be used within 20 minutes after the start of a meal. Do not use HUMALOG MIX 25 or HUMALOG MIX50 after the start of a meal. Always follow proper injection technique: rotate injection sites (abdomen or thighs) so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month. For mixed insulins, roll cartridge between palms 10 times and invert 10 times before use.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If you use less insulin than needed, high blood sugar may occur. Use it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never use a double dose. If unsure, contact your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.
Important: Do not inject HUMALOG MIX25 or HUMALOG MIX50 directly into your veins (intravenously). Never use a double dose if you miss an injection.
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:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – most common and potentially severe side effect
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe hypoglycemia with disorientation, seizures, fits, convulsions, or loss of consciousness
- Severe hyperglycemia with heavy breathing, fast pulse, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of consciousness
- Injection site reactions including lipoatrophy (fatty tissue shrinkage), lipohypertrophy (tissue thickening), or cutaneous amyloidosis (protein buildup lumps)
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations and medical conditions to discuss with your doctor before using Humalog.
Who Should Not Take Humalog Cartridges
Do not use if you are allergic to insulin lispro or any ingredients listed. Do not use when you have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as it will make it worse. HUMALOG MIX25 and HUMALOG MIX50 should not be used intravenously.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: previous allergic reactions to diabetes medicines, kidney or liver disease, heart disease (especially if taking thiazolidinediones like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone as you may be at higher risk for fluid retention or heart failure), or if you’re switching from another insulin type or brand.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pregnancy may make diabetes management more difficult – insulin needs usually decrease during the first three months and increase during the last six months. Talk to your doctor if breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, as it’s unknown if significant amounts pass into breast milk.
Children Under 18: The use of HUMALOG MIX25 and HUMALOG MIX50 have not been studied in children under 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Humalog insulins and affect how they work, requiring dose adjustments.
- Other diabetes medicines
- Aspirin or other salicylates
- Sulfonamide antibiotics
- MAO inhibitors (depression medicines)
- ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril)
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Beta blockers
- Octreotide (growth disorder medicines)
- Oral contraceptives (‘the pill’)
- Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone)
- Thyroid replacement therapy
- Isoniazid (tuberculosis antibiotic)
- Salbutamol or terbutaline (asthma medicines)
- Phenothiazines (schizophrenia/bipolar medicines)
- Danazol (hormone-related disorder medicine)
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions when using Humalog insulin.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar and make them more difficult to recognize. Alcohol may also affect your prescribed dose of Humalog insulin.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Humalog affects you. Do not drive if you feel your blood sugar level is low. Hypoglycemia may impair your ability to concentrate or react while driving.
Storage
Keep unused cartridges in the refrigerator between 2°C – 8°C. Do not freeze. Once inserted into a pen, do not refrigerate the cartridge-pen combination. You may keep cartridges unrefrigerated (below 30°C) for up to 28 days while using them. Dispose of unrefrigerated cartridges after 28 days even if they contain insulin. Keep away from heat, sunlight, and out of reach of children. Do not store in bathroom or near sink.
Overdose Information
Using too much Humalog insulin can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Check your blood sugar immediately. For mild low blood sugar, eat glucose tablets, sugar, or drink a sugary drink, then eat fruit, biscuits, or a sandwich. If symptoms worsen with shallow breathing and pale skin, seek urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26 / New Zealand: 0800 764 766), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin that should be used immediately or up to 15 minutes before a meal. When necessary, HUMALOG can be used within 20 minutes after the start of a meal.
Yes, Humalog should normally be used immediately (or up to 15 minutes) before a meal. HUMALOG can be used within 20 minutes after starting a meal if necessary, but HUMALOG MIX25 and MIX50 should not be used after starting a meal.
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. Use the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never use a double dose. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar and make them harder to recognize. Alcohol may also affect your prescribed dose of Humalog insulin.
Keep unused cartridges refrigerated between 2°C – 8°C. Don’t freeze them. Once in use, cartridges can be kept unrefrigerated (below 30°C) for up to 28 days, but don’t refrigerate the pen-cartridge combination. Dispose of cartridges after 28 days even if they still contain insulin.
Mild to moderate hypoglycemia symptoms include weakness, trembling, sweating, light-headedness, headache, lack of concentration, behavior changes, dizziness, tearfulness, irritability, numbness around lips/fingers, and hunger. Always carry sugary food or drink with you.
No, you should rotate injection sites so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month. Using the same place repeatedly can cause fatty tissue to shrink or thicken, and Humalog may not work as well if injected into these areas.
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.