General Information and Indications:
Insulin lispro is used to control blood
sugar in people who have diabetes. Insulin lispro is in a class of
medications called hormones. People who have diabetes do not produce enough
natural insulin, a substance that is needed to break down carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins from food and to move sugar from the blood to other parts
of the body. Insulin lispro works by replacing the insulin that is normally
produced by the body. Insulin lispro starts working more quickly but
continues to work for a shorter time than regular insulin. Insulin lispro is
always used with other medications for diabetes. You will need to use
another type of insulin or take an oral medication, depending on the type of
diabetes you have.
Information For Users:
Insulin lispro comes as a solution (liquid) to inject
subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected 15 minutes before a
meal or immediately after a meal. Your doctor will tell you how many times
you should inject insulin lispro each day. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Use insulin lispro exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use
it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Never use insulin lispro when you have symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) or if you have checked your blood sugar and found it to be low. Call
your doctor in these cases.
Insulin lispro controls diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to use
insulin lispro even if you feel well. Do not stop using insulin lispro
without informing your doctor. Do not switch to another brand or type of
insulin or change the dose of any type of insulin you are using without
informing your doctor.
Insulin lispro comes in vials, cartridges that contain medication and are to
be placed in dosing pens, and dosing pens that contain cartridges of
medication. Be sure you know what type of container your insulin lispro
comes in and what other supplies, such as needles, syringes, or pens you
will need to inject your medication.
If your insulin lispro comes in vials, you will need to use syringes to
inject your dose. Be sure to use syringes that are marked U-100. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the type of syringe you
should use.
If your insulin lispro comes in cartridges, you will need to purchase an
insulin pen separately. Check the manufacturer's information for the patient
to see what type of pen is right for the cartridge size you are using.
Carefully read the instructions that come with your pen, and ask your doctor
or pharmacist to show you how to use it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if
you have questions about the type of pen you should use.
If your insulin lispro comes in pens, be sure to read and understand the
manufacturer's instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how
to use the pen. Follow the directions carefully, and always prime the pen
before use. Never remove the cartridge from the pen or attempt to add any
other type of insulin to the cartridge.
Never reuse needles or syringes and never share needles, syringes,
cartridges, or pens. If you are using an insulin pen, always remove the
needle right after you inject your dose. Throw away needles and syringes in
a puncture-resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose
of the puncture resistant container.
Your doctor may tell you to mix your insulin lispro with another type of
insulin in the same syringe. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to do
this. Always draw insulin lispro into the syringe first, always use the same
brand of syringe, and always inject the insulin immediately after mixing.
You can inject your insulin lispro in your thighs, stomach, or upper arms.
Each time you inject insulin lispro you should choose a spot that is at
least 1/2 inch away from the spot where you gave your last injection.
Always look at your insulin lispro before you inject it. It should be as
clear, colorless, and fluid as water. Do not use your insulin lispro if it
is colored, cloudy, thickened, or contains solid particles, or if the
expiration date on the bottle has passed.
If your insulin lispro comes in vials, follow these steps to prepare your
dose:
o Wash your hands.
o If you are using a new bottle, flip off the plastic cap, but do not remove
the stopper.
o Wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab.
o Pull back the plunger of the syringe until the top of the plunger is even
with the dose your doctor told you to inject.
o Push the needle through the rubber stopper on the bottle.
o Push down on the plunger to inject the air into the bottle.
o Turn the bottle upside down without removing the syringe.
o Be sure the tip of the needle is under the liquid in the bottle. Slowly
pull back on the plunger until the top of the plunger is even with the dose
your doctor told you to inject.
o While the needle is still in the bottle, check whether there are air
bubbles in the syringe. If there are bubbles, hold the syringe upright and
tap on it to push the bubbles to the top. Push the plunger up to move the
bubbles out of the syringe, and then pull the plunger back down to the
correct dose.
o Remove the needle from the bottle and lay the syringe down so that the
needle is not touching anything.
To inject a prepared dose of insulin lispro using a syringe or pen, follow
these steps:
o Use an alcohol pad to wipe the area where you plan to inject your
medication.
o Pinch up a large area of skin, or spread the skin flat with your hands.
o Insert the needle into your skin. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to
do this.
o If you are using a syringe, push the plunger all the way down. If you are
using a pen, follow the manufacturer's instructions for dispensing a dose.
o Pull the needle out and press down on the spot for several seconds, but do
not rub it.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to insulin (Humulin, Iletin, Novolin, Velosulin, others) or any
other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten),
enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril),
moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace),
and trandolapril (Mavik); antacids; antihistamines; beta blockers such as
atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol
XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin);
diuretics ('water pills'); cholesterol-lowering medications such as niacin (Niacor,
Niaspan); hormone replacement therapy; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); laxatives;
medications for mental illness and upset stomach; monoamine oxidase
inhibitors including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
selegiline (Eldepryl) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); oral contraceptives
(birth control pills); oral medications for diabetes; oral steroids such as
dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and
prednisone (Deltasone); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline
magnesium trisalicylate (Trisalate), choline salicylate (Arthropan),
diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic,
Disalcid, Salgesic); sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate); sulfa
antibiotics; theophylline (TheoDur) and thyroid medications. Your doctor may
need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for
side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding nerve damage caused by your
diabetes; any disease that affects your adrenal (a gland near the kidney
that produces chemicals needed for fluid balance), pituitary (a gland in the
head that produces many chemicals), or thyroid glands; or liver or kidney
disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using insulin lispro, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or
dentist that you are using insulin lispro.
o ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, experience unusual stress,
plan to travel across more than two time zones, or change your exercise or
activity schedule. These changes can affect your dosing schedule and the
amount of insulin you will need.
o ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar. Be aware that
hypoglycemia may affect your ability to perform tasks such as driving and
ask your doctor if you need to check your blood sugar before driving or
operating machinery.
Be sure to follow all dietary recommendations made by your doctor or
dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet, and to eat about the
same amounts of the same kinds of food at about the same times each day.
Skipping or delaying meals or changing the amount or kind of food you eat
can cause problems with your blood sugar control.
Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe
use of alcoholic beverages while you are using insulin lispro.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
You should know the symptoms of low and high
blood sugar and what to do if you have them.
Eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or
fruit juice, and call your doctor without delay if you have any of the
symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
o shakiness
o lightheadedness or dizziness
o sweating
o confusion
o nervousness or irritability
o sudden changes in behavior or mood
o headache
o numbness or tingling around the mouth
o weakness
o pale skin
o sudden hunger
o clumsy or jerky movements
o seizures
call your doctor without delay if you have any of the following symptoms of
hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):
o extreme thirst
o frequent urination
o extreme hunger
o weakness
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition
called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. call your doctor without delay
if you have any of the these symptoms:
o dry mouth
o upset stomach and vomiting
o shortness of breath
o breath that smells fruity
o decreased consciousness
Insulin lispro may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if the
following symptom is severe or does not go away:
o redness, swelling, or itching in the place where you injected insulin
lispro
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o rash and itching
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o hives (Urticaria)
o wheezing
o fast heartbeat
o changes in the feel of your skin such as skin thickening or a little
indentation in the skin
o muscle weakness
o tingling in arms or legs
o constipation
o stomach cramps
o depression
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o coma
o seizures
Brand Name(s):
o Humalog® |
