Humalog Cartridge

Humalog Cartridge

Humalog Cartridges 100U/mL are filled with insulin lispro which a fast-acting insulin that is man-made and similar in structure to naturally occurring insulin produced by the pancreas in the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and the breakdown of food (fats, sugars and proteins) and promotes the absorption of sugar from the blood into the liver, fat and musculoskeletal cells.

Humalog cartridges are to be used along with Humalog KwikPens which are used by adults and children to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Some evidence has shown that Humalog insulin lispro may be effective in preventing diabetic neurophathy.

It effectively helps manage blood sugar levels that typically fluctuate before or after meals. Compared to natural insulin, insulin lispro has a shorter delay of onset meaning you only have to wait a short period of time before starting your meal.

Humalog Cartridge: Usage

Humalog insulin lispro is engineered to provide a rapid absorption and shorter delay of onset in comparison to natural insulin in the body. It begins to work only after 15 minutes of subcutaneous injection and can achieve peak blood levels in 30 to 70 minutes and last up to 5 hours.

Maintaining a consistent meal schedule is advisable when you are taking insulin.

Humalog insulin lispro should be taken 15 minutes before meals or within 20 minutes of starting a meal.

Follow dose amounts and dosing schedule that are advised by your doctor or explained by the pharmacist. Your dosage and schedule is individualized based on your specific needs. Your normal dose of insulin may be affected by food selection and exercise level.  Other factors that may modify your dosage includes pregnancy, other medications, illness or travel.

Administer the dose within 15 minutes of starting your meal or 20 minutes after starting your meal. Avoid skipping or delaying meals when you are taking insulin.

Humalog Cartridges are used subcutaneously (under the skin). Injection sites are usually the upper arm, abdomen, buttocks or thigh. Injection should be taken under the skin.

Do not take this injection into muscle or vein.

Change the injection sites regularly to avoid lipodystrophy. Humalog insulin lispro is usually combined with a long-acting insulin such as Humulin N (insulin isophane [NPH]) or intermediate insulin.

If you are mixing insulin, be sure to first draw the short-acting insulin into the syringe followed by the longer acting insulin. Mixing should only be done as advised by your physician.

Do not use insulin if it looks thickened, contains particles or cloudy. Solution must be clear and colorless.

Missing a dose can lead to high blood sugar levels which can cause symptoms such as excessive urination, loss of appetite, thirst, fruity smell on breath etc. Be sure to take a dose if you know you missed one unless it’s around the same time of your schedule dose, then continue with your regular schedule. Do not take double the amount to compensate for the missed dose as thsi can lead to a drastic drop in blood glucose and be dangerous.

Humalog Cartridge:  Side Effects

Common side effects associated with the use of Humalog insulin cartridges include:

• Injection site reactions
• Lipodystrophy
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Hypokalemia

The most common side effect is hypoglycemia which is when blood sugar levels are low. This is common among all insulin medications. If this happens you may also experience the following:

• Increased heartrate
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Confusion/Trouble concentrating
• Hunger
• Headache
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Seizures (convulsion)
• Shaking
• Pale skin
• Skin rashes
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Lightheadedness
• Pain, swelling, redness at site of injection.

Injection site reactions are also a common side effect that typically includes itching, swelling and redness at the site of injection. Typically these symptoms go away after a few days or weeks. This can sometimes happen be due to improper injection technique or impurities in your cleansing products and not the actual medication.

Hypokalemia has been reported with some patients and can happen when there is decline in potassium levels in the blood. Symptoms of hypokalemia can include tiredness, constipation, weakness and leg cramps.

Lipodystrophy is a common complication due to subcutaneous insulin use and may present itself in two forms: lipohypertrophy (an accumulation of fat around the injection site) or lipoatrophy (a localized loss of fat tissue around the injection site).

Humalog Cartridge: Warnings & Precautions

Do not use Humalog cartridges if your blood sugar levels are too low (hypoglycemia). If you experience hypoglycemia, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on using your insulin medication.

A drop in blood sugar level can be attributed to stress, surgery, and exercise, illness, drinking alcohol or skipping meals.

Do not change your insulin dose schedules without consulting your physician.

Do not use if you have any allergies to its ingredients in the Humalog cartridge.

Do not share your cartridge, syringe or injection pens with others, even if the needle has been changes. This can lead to the transmission of blood pathogens.

In the case of an overdose which can lead to hypoglycemia. Test immediately and confirm. Whether or not you test your blood sugar levels, it’s important to consume glucose (ie juice, candy, chocolate etc) and immediately seek medical attention.

Interactions of Humalog 100iu Cartridge 3ml

If you are taking other medications with Humalog, you may experience symptoms of low blood sugar. Some medications can block your body’s response to low blood sugar so you may not experience symptoms that are otherwise serious such as anxiety, sweating, hunger, blood sugar drops or headaches.

Medications that can cause complications with insulin include:

• Medicines for fever and pain (salicylates), lisinopril or rampipril
• You may have high blood sugar if you are taking thiazide, steroids, oral contraceptives, medicines to treat diarrhea, octreotide, lanreot, thyroxine
• Be cautious if you are taking Pioglitazone, which has been reported to cause heart attack or heart failure

Humalog Cartridge: Storage

• Before use, Humalog insulin cartridges or prefilled pens should be stored between 2°C to 8°C in a refrigerator.
• Do not use if frozen.
• Keep insulin vials away from direct sunlight.
• Keep medication away from children.
• Any unused portion should discard appropriately after 28 days.
• Cartridge or pens you are currently using should not be refrigerated but kept cool below 30°C.