Humalog KwikPens (Insulin Lispro (Rbe))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Humalog KwikPens Used For?
Humalog KwikPens contain insulin lispro and are used to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. There are three different types available, each working for different lengths of time in your body.
Primary Uses
Humalog insulins are used to reduce high blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with diabetes. They are prescribed for both Type 1 diabetes patients who always need insulin, and some Type 2 diabetes patients who may need insulin after initial treatment with diet, exercise, and tablets has not been sufficient.
How It Works
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control your blood sugar level. Humalog provides the extra insulin your body needs to help manage blood glucose levels effectively.
Good to know: There are 3 different types of Humalog insulins available: regular Humalog (solution), Humalog Mix25, and Humalog Mix50 (pre-mixed suspensions), each varying in how long they work in your body.
How to Take Humalog KwikPens
Your doctor will determine the right dose of Humalog insulin for you. The timing and method of injection are important for proper blood sugar control.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will tell you what dose you need each day. Regular Humalog should be used immediately or up to 15 minutes before a meal, and when necessary can be used within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Humalog Mix25 and Mix50 should not be used after starting a meal. Inject under the skin of your stomach area or upper legs, rotating injection sites so the same spot isn’t used more than once a month. Never inject Mix25 or Mix50 directly into veins.
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. If unsure, talk to your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.
Important: Never use a double dose of Humalog insulin. Always check that you have the correct insulin type before injecting, especially if you use more than one type.
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 around injection site)
- Lipodystrophy (depression in skin or enlargement/thickening of tissue around injection site)
- Fluid retention (oedema), particularly in ankles, feet and hands
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe low blood sugar (disorientation, seizures, fits, convulsions, loss of consciousness)
- Severe allergic reactions (rash over large body area, 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, vomiting, inability to keep fluids down leading to severe dehydration, loss of consciousness)
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations and medical conditions to discuss with your doctor before using Humalog insulins.
Who Should Not Take Humalog KwikPens
Do not use if you are allergic to insulin lispro or any ingredients listed. Never use when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) as it will make it worse. Humalog Mix25 and Mix50 should not be used intravenously.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have had allergic reactions to diabetes medicines, are using other insulin types or brands, have kidney or liver disease, have heart disease and take thiazolidinediones (like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone), or are taking any other medications. Heart disease patients taking thiazolidinediones may be at higher risk for fluid retention or heart failure.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pregnancy may make diabetes management more difficult, with insulin needs usually decreasing in the first three months and increasing in the last six months. Talk to your doctor if breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, as it’s not known if Humalog insulins pass into breast milk in significant amounts.
Children Under 18: The use of Humalog Mix25 and Mix50 has not been studied in children under 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can affect how Humalog insulin works, requiring dose adjustments. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medicines you’re taking.
- Other diabetes medicines (may need lower insulin dose)
- Aspirin or other salicylates (may need lower insulin dose)
- Sulfonamide antibiotics (may need lower insulin dose)
- Depression medicines like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (may need lower insulin dose)
- Blood pressure medicines like captopril, enalapril, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers (may need lower insulin dose)
- Octreotide for growth disorders (may need lower insulin dose)
- Oral contraceptives ‘the pill’ (may need higher insulin dose)
- Corticosteroids like prednisone and cortisone (may need higher insulin dose)
- Thyroid replacement therapy medicines (may need higher insulin dose)
- Tuberculosis antibiotics like isoniazid (may need higher insulin dose)
- Asthma medicines like salbutamol or terbutaline (may need higher insulin dose)
- Psychiatric medicines like phenothiazines (may need higher insulin dose)
- Hormone medicines like danazol (may need higher insulin dose)
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions when using Humalog insulin due to blood sugar effects.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar and make it more difficult to recognize them. Alcohol may also affect the dose of Humalog insulin that you are prescribed.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Humalog insulin affects you. Do not drive if you feel like your blood sugar level is low. Low blood sugar may impair your ability to concentrate or react while driving.
Storage
Keep unused pens in the refrigerator between 2°C – 8°C. Do not freeze. While in use, do not keep pens in the fridge – you may keep them unrefrigerated (below 30°C) for up to 28 days. Dispose of unrefrigerated pens after 28 days even if they still contain insulin. Do not store in bathrooms or near sinks, heat, or direct sunlight. Keep away from children. Do not store with needle attached to prevent contamination and leakage.
Overdose Information
If you use too much Humalog insulin, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may occur. 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 you get worse with shallow breathing and pale skin, seek urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency department, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular Humalog should be used immediately or up to 15 minutes before a meal, and when necessary can be used within 20 minutes after starting a meal. The different types (regular Humalog, Mix25, and Mix50) vary in how long they work in your body.
Yes, regular Humalog should normally be used immediately or up to 15 minutes before a meal. When necessary, regular Humalog can be used within 20 minutes after starting a meal, but Mix25 and Mix50 should not be used after starting a meal.
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. Use the insulin as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never use a double dose. If unsure, talk to your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar and make it more difficult to recognize them. Alcohol may also affect your prescribed insulin dose.
Do not stop using Humalog insulin without first checking with your doctor. Stopping suddenly could lead to high blood sugar levels and serious complications.
Keep unused pens refrigerated between 2°C – 8°C. Don’t freeze them. While using a pen, keep it unrefrigerated (below 30°C) for up to 28 days, then dispose of it even if insulin remains. Don’t store with needle attached.
Be careful before driving until you know how Humalog affects you. Do not drive if you feel your blood sugar is low, as low blood sugar may impair your ability to concentrate or react while driving.
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.