Help patients learn how insulin works and more.
Types of Insulin
Basal insulin: Long-acting or immediate-acting insulin to help keep blood glucose (BG) stable
between meals and overnight. Basal insulin (such as insulin glargine) is commonly used in combination
with a rapid-acting (mealtime) insulin as part of a multiple-daily injection (MDI) regimen. Also
sometimes called "background" insulin, basal insulin is usually taken once or twice a day.
Mixture insulin: A single solution for both fasting and postprandial control. Mixture insulin contains both rapid-acting and longer-acting insulin, and it may be used in combination with oral agents. Generally taken twice a day, mixture insulin like Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 can be simple to start for patients new to insulin. Patients time their injections with their meals (within 15 minutes before), allowing them to manage their diabetes according to their meal schedule.
Mealtime insulin: Rapid-acting insulin taken 15 minutes before or immediately after meals to help control postprandial BG. Mealtime injections are often part of an MDI regimen, which closely mimics the normal pancreatic secretion of insulin throughout the day. With its dose-and-eat convenience, mealtime insulin like Humalog can allow more flexibility for patients with variable routines or food intake.
Mixture insulin: A single solution for both fasting and postprandial control. Mixture insulin contains both rapid-acting and longer-acting insulin, and it may be used in combination with oral agents. Generally taken twice a day, mixture insulin like Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 can be simple to start for patients new to insulin. Patients time their injections with their meals (within 15 minutes before), allowing them to manage their diabetes according to their meal schedule.
Mealtime insulin: Rapid-acting insulin taken 15 minutes before or immediately after meals to help control postprandial BG. Mealtime injections are often part of an MDI regimen, which closely mimics the normal pancreatic secretion of insulin throughout the day. With its dose-and-eat convenience, mealtime insulin like Humalog can allow more flexibility for patients with variable routines or food intake.
Onset, Peak and Duration of Humalog and Humalog Mixture Insulins
*Typical profiles of insulin activity, based on glucose utilization from clinical trial data. Patients may experience variations in timing and/or intensity of insulin activity due to dose, injection site, temperature, and patient's physical activity.
Onset: The start of the curve (left side) shows when the insulin starts to work.
Peak: The peak is the highest part of the curve and shows when the insulin usually has its strongest effect.
Duration: The end of the curve (right side) shows how long the insulin may work.
Humalog insulins are for use in patients with diabetes mellitus for the control of hyperglycemia. Humalog should be used with longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
For important safety information and other prescribing considerations, please see Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Prescribing Information.
Important Safety Information
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies of the use of Humalog in pregnant or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include hypoglycemia, weight gain, hypokalemia, lipodystrophy, and hypersensitivity. Because of the difference in action of Humalog, care should be taken in patients in whom these conditions may be clinically relevant (e.g., those who are fasting, have autonomic neuropathy or renal impairment, are using potassium-lowering drugs, or taking drugs sensitive to serum potassium level). Patients should be advised not to mix Humalog Mix75/25 or Humalog Mix50/50 with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
When used in an external insulin pump, Humalog should not be diluted or mixed with any other insulin. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are not indicated for use in external insulin pumps.
Humalog differs from regular human insulin by its rapid onset of action, as well as a shorter duration of activity. Therefore, Humalog and Humalog Mixtures should be given within 15 minutes before a meal. Humalog can also be given immediately after a meal. The short duration of action of Humalog means that patients such as those with type 1 diabetes, whose basal insulin levels are inadequate, will also require a longer-acting insulin to give optimal glucose control (except when using an insulin pump).
Clinical studies comparing Humalog Mix75/25 with human insulin mixtures did not show a difference in the overall rate of hypoglycemia between the two treatments. The overall rate of hypoglycemia did not differ between type 1 and type 2 patients treated with Humalog, as compared with regular human insulin. The lower rate of hypoglycemia with Humalog may be related to higher nocturnal blood glucose levels, as reflected by a small increase in the mean fasting blood glucose levels.
The clinical significance of improvement in postmeal hyperglycemia has not been established. In 12-month clinical studies, A1C did not differ between patients treated with regular human insulin and those treated with Humalog.
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are available by prescription only.
For other important safety information and prescribing considerations, please see Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Prescribing Information.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies of the use of Humalog in pregnant or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include hypoglycemia, weight gain, hypokalemia, lipodystrophy, and hypersensitivity. Because of the difference in action of Humalog, care should be taken in patients in whom these conditions may be clinically relevant (e.g., those who are fasting, have autonomic neuropathy or renal impairment, are using potassium-lowering drugs, or taking drugs sensitive to serum potassium level). Patients should be advised not to mix Humalog Mix75/25 or Humalog Mix50/50 with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
When used in an external insulin pump, Humalog should not be diluted or mixed with any other insulin. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are not indicated for use in external insulin pumps.
Humalog differs from regular human insulin by its rapid onset of action, as well as a shorter duration of activity. Therefore, Humalog and Humalog Mixtures should be given within 15 minutes before a meal. Humalog can also be given immediately after a meal. The short duration of action of Humalog means that patients such as those with type 1 diabetes, whose basal insulin levels are inadequate, will also require a longer-acting insulin to give optimal glucose control (except when using an insulin pump).
Clinical studies comparing Humalog Mix75/25 with human insulin mixtures did not show a difference in the overall rate of hypoglycemia between the two treatments. The overall rate of hypoglycemia did not differ between type 1 and type 2 patients treated with Humalog, as compared with regular human insulin. The lower rate of hypoglycemia with Humalog may be related to higher nocturnal blood glucose levels, as reflected by a small increase in the mean fasting blood glucose levels.
The clinical significance of improvement in postmeal hyperglycemia has not been established. In 12-month clinical studies, A1C did not differ between patients treated with regular human insulin and those treated with Humalog.
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are available by prescription only.
For other important safety information and prescribing considerations, please see Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Prescribing Information.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
