Admelog Vial Insulin Lispro

What is Admelog?

Admelog (insulin lispro) is an affordable alternative to Humalog and similar in its dosing, effectiveness and safety.

It is a fast-acting insulin is used to manage blood glucose levels in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes over 3 years of age.

Admelog is available in the United States and sold two forms: a 100 Unit/mL (U-100) multidose 10 mL vial or 3mL SoloStar prefilled pen.

How to Use Admelog

Admelog should be taken within 15 minutes prior to meals or immediately after. Test your blood sugar levels regularly or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not make any adjustments to your dosage or medication unless instructed by your doctor.

ADMELOG SIDE EFFECTS

As with taking any insulin, side effects may occur which can range from mild to serious. The following information below does not contain all possible side effects associated with Ademlog.

Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding side effects. They can provide information and tips on how to manage side effects of concern.

Mild Side Effects

The following mild side effects may occur when taking Admelog:

Common

• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
• respiratory infections such as flu or cold

Less Common

• weight gain
• swelling of feet or ankles
• skin rash
• itchy skin
• lipodystrophy (thickening of skin at injection sites)

Most side effects typically go away within a few days or weeks. Consult your doctor if side effects do not go away.

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects may occur for patients taking Ademlog however are not common. If you experience any serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately or call 911 for medical emergency if you feel symptoms are life threatening.

• severe allergic reaction
• severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar level)
• low potassium level

Side Effects in Detail

If you’re wondering how certain side effects occur with Admelog, the following information below provides more detail.

Allergic Reaction

As with taking any medication, people may have allergies to one or more of its ingredients. It is unknown how common allergic reactions occur with Admelog.

Symptoms of allergic reactions to Admelog may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• skin flushing (redness or warmth in the skin)

However rare, more severe reactions to Admelog are possible including anaphylaxis. The following symptoms of severe allergic reactions may include:

• difficulty breathing
• swelling under the skin (typically eyelids, lips, hands or feet)
• swelling of mouth, tongue or throat
• body rash (including pruritus)
• dyspnea
• wheezing
• hypotension
• tachycardia
• diaphoresis.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical emergency immediately. Call 911 if you feel the symptoms are life threatening.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Hypoglycemia is a common side effect when taking insulin such as Admelog. Patients take insulin to control their glycemic levels, however drops in blood sugar levels may occur.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include:

• confusion
• dizziness
• shaking
• sweating
• tiredness

In clinical studies, it was found that over a 26-week period, 2.4% of subjects taking Admelog experienced hypoglycemia. This number increased to 13.5% for subjects taking Admelog for one year.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia (or hypo for short) is the most common side effect among insulin medications. Often, hypoglycemia’s are mild and can be treated quite easily. However serious hypoglycemia can become serious and lead to seizures or death.

If you experience mild hypoglycemia, consume a glucose tablet, sugary snack (i.e. sugar packet, jelly beans, raisins, hard candy’s etc.) or sugary drink (i.e. juice or non-diet soda).

If blood sugar levels become too low, hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness and will require a trained person to administer a glucagon injection or require 911 medical emergency immediately.

If you experience hypoglycemia often, inform your doctor as they may require checking your blood sugar levels more frequently and ways to manage hypoglycemia while taking Admelog.

Hypokalemia (low potassium levels)

Low potassium levels are not reported often however a possible side effect.

Symptoms of hypokalemia include:

• weakness
• fatigue
• constipation
• muscle cramps
• heart palpitations (when your heart flutters or pounds)

Serious cases of hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening side effects such as difficulty breathing, heart complications or even death.

Call your doctor immediately is symptoms do not improve. If you feel symptoms are life threatening – contact 911.

Consult your doctor on how to manage hypokalemia. They provide ways to check potassium levels, prescribe certain drugs to take with your insulin or recommend consuming foods that are high in potassium.

Lipodystrophy

Long-term use of Admelog can lead to lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy includes lipoatrophy (thinning of adipose tissue) or lipohypertrophy (thickening of adipose tissue) and may affect absorption. To reduce the risk of lipodystrophy, rotate site of injection when administering insulin.

Weight Gain

Patients taking Admelog may experience weight gain. This is primarily caused by the anabolic effects of insulin and the decrease of glucosuria.

Peripheral Edema

Admelog, like other insulins can cause sodium retention and edema. This is especially evident with previously poor metabolic control is intensified with insulin treatment.

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Inform your doctor about any existing medical conditions including heart, liver or kidney problems, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning on breast feeding.

Do not take Admelog if you are allergic to insulin lispro or any ingredients contained in this medication.

Do not use Admelog if you are experiencing low blood sugar levels.

Do not share needles, pens or syringes with others as it can spread infection or increase the transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

Rotate injection sites to avoid developing skin complications such as localized cutaneous amyloidosis (lumps on skin) or lipodystrophy (thickened or pitted skin). Do not inject in areas where the skin is damaged, scarred, bruised, scaly, tender, lumpy or hard.

Heart failure may occur if you are taking Admelog with medications such as TZDs (thiazolidinedione’s) even if a patient has no history of heart failure or other heart complications. Since this combination of Admelog and TZD’s can lead to heart failure, inform your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms or if they worsen. Symptoms include:

• sudden weight gain
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of ankles and feet

Treatment with TZD’s may be stopped or changed if based on symptoms.

Inform your doctor of other prescription medications you are currently taking including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins.

Before each injection, review your insulin label to ensure you are using the correct medication.

Do not use insulin if it is not clear or colorless or contains any particles.

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while using Admelog unless cleared by your doctor.

Do not drink alcohol or take medications that contain alcohol as it may lead to a drop in blood glucose levels or hypoglycemia.

Do not mix or dilute Admelog when used in a pump.

Changes in insulin regimen causing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia

It can also result in changes to insulin regimen such as manufacturer, type, strength, injection site or type of administration. Repeating injection sites can also cause localized cutaneous amyloidosis or lipodystrophy that may also result in hyperglycemia and sudden change in injection site has resulted in hypoglycemia. Changes to a patients insulin regimen should be made under close medical supervision with careful blood glucose level monitoring.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the most common is the most common adverse reaction associated with taking insulin such as Admelog.

Mild hypoglycemia can affect concentration and reaction time which is why it’s important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Symptoms can differ from patient to patient but should be taken seriously. Severe hypoglycemia can result in seizures and even lead to death.

Speak with your doctor on awareness and about how to properly manage hypoglycemia. Monitoring blood glucose levels plays an important role to avoid hypoglycemia.

The risk of hypoglycemia can be increased by skipping meals, changes to insulin schedule, change of diet or physical activity and as a result of repeat site injections.

Always check drug labels prior to use in order to avoid accidental mix-ups between basal insulin products and other insulin medications.

Hypokalemia

Common with taking insulin, Admelog can shift potassium from extracellular to intracellular space thus leading to hypokalemia. If untreated, hypokalemia can lead to ventricular arrhythmia, respiratory paralysis or even death. Patients at risk for hypokalemia may need to monitor potassium levels, be given certain medication or eat high-potassium foods.