Humalog Mix contains a mixture of insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin lispro is a fast-acting form of insulin that works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Humalog Mix is used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults. It is usually given together with another long-acting insulin.
Important information
Use Humalog Mix within 15 minutes before eating a meal.
You should not use Humalog Mix if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Never share a Humalog Mix injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Humalog Mix if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
To make sure Humalog Mix is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category B. Humalog Mix is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether Humalog Mix passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give Humalog Mix to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.
How should I use this medicine?
Humalog Mix is injected under the skin. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Humalog Mix is given as an injection (shot) under your skin. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject Humalog Mix if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Do not mix Humalog Mix with any other insulin.
Use Humalog Mix within 15 minutes before eating a meal.
Choose a different area of skin in your injection area each time you use Humalog Mix. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Never share an injection pen with another person. Sharing injection pens can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.
Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor"s office.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, or feeling shaky. Always keep a source of sugar with you in case you have low blood sugar. Sugar sources include fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, and non-diet soda. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use a glucagon injection. Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to use it.
Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss.
Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel, illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change Humalog Mix dose or dosing schedule without your doctor"s advice.
Insulin is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor"s instructions very closely.
Storing unopened Humalog Mix vials or injection pens: Keep in the carton and store in a refrigerator, protected from light. Throw away any insulin not used before the expiration date on the medicine label. Do not freeze insulin, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.
Unopened vials may also be stored at room temperature, away from heat and bright light. Throw away any vial not used within 28 days.
Unopened injection pens may also be stored at room temperature, away from heat and bright light. Throw away any injection pen not used within 10 days.
After your first use: You may keep "in-use" vials in the refrigerator, protected from light. Use within 28 days.
Do not refrigerate an in-use injection pen. Keep it at room temperature and use within 10 days.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Humalog Mix is used before meals, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use the medicine, be sure to eat a meal within 15 minutes. Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose.
Use Humalog Mix regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What should I avoid while using this medicine?
Do not change the brand of insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can affect your blood sugar levels.
Humalog Mix may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Humalog Mix side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of insulin allergy: itching skin rash over the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
-
itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject the medicine; or
-
low potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.
Common Humalog Mix side effects may include:
-
low blood sugar--headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Humalog Mix?
Many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin on lowering your blood sugar. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
