Patient video shows how
to use KwikPen.
to use KwikPen.
Questions About KwikPen™
- What should my insulin look like?
- Why should I use a new needle for each injection?
- What should I do if I am not sure how much insulin remains in my cartridge?
- Why should I prime my KwikPen to a stream before each dose?
- What should I do if I cannot completely push in the Dose Knob when priming the KwikPen?
- What should I do if I see an air bubble in the cartridge?
- Why is it difficult to push the Dose Knob when I try to inject?
- What should I do if my KwikPen is jammed?
- Why is insulin leaking from the needle after I finished injecting my dose?
- What should I do if my dose is dialed and the Dose Knob is accidentally pushed in without a needle attached?
- What should I do if I dial a wrong dose (too high or too low)?
- What should I do if I see insulin leaking from the KwikPen needle while dialing the dose or correcting the dose?
- What should I do if my full dose cannot be dialed?
- Why can I not dial the dose to use the small amount of insulin that remains in my cartridge?
- What should I do with used needles?
What should my insulin look like?
Some insulins are cloudy while others are clear. Be sure to refer to the Patient Information inserts for the appearance of your specific insulin.
Why should I use a new needle for each injection?
This will help ensure sterility. If needles are reused, you may get the wrong amount of insulin, a clogged needle, or a jammed Pen.
What should I do if I am not sure how much insulin remains in my cartridge?
Hold the Pen with the needle end pointing down. The scale on the clear Cartridge Holder shows an estimate of the number of units remaining. These numbers should NOT be used for measuring an insulin dose.
Why should I prime my KwikPen to a stream before each dose?
- Ensures that the Pen is ready to dose.
- Confirms that a stream of insulin comes out of the tip of the needle when you push the Dose Knob in.
- Removes air that may collect in the needle or insulin cartridge during normal use.
- Attach a new needle.
- Prime the Pen.
You need to prime the Pen. Remember, do not store the Pen with the needle attached as this may cause air bubbles to collect in the insulin cartridge. A small air bubble will not affect your dose and you can continue to take your dose as usual.
Why is it difficult to push the Dose Knob when I try to inject?
- Your needle may be clogged. Try attaching a new needle. When you do this you may see insulin come out of the needle. Then prime the Pen.
- Pressing the Dose Knob quickly may make the Dose Knob harder to push. Pressing the Dose Knob more slowly may make it easier.
- Using a larger diameter needle will make it easier to push the Dose Knob during your injection. See your healthcare professional to determine which needle size is best for you.
- If the Dose Knob continues to be difficult to push after following the steps above, try the steps below under "What should I do if my KwikPen is jammed?".
Your Pen may be jammed if it is difficult to inject a dose or dial a dose. To clear the jam:
- Attach a new needle. When you do this you may see insulin come out of the needle.
- Prime the Pen.
- Dial your dose and inject.
- If the Dose Knob is still difficult to push, contact the Lilly Answers Center at 1-800-Lilly-Rx (1-800-545-5979).
You may have removed the needle from your skin too quickly.
- Make sure you see a 0 in the Dose Window to confirm you received the complete dose.
- For the next dose, push and hold the Dose Knob in and count to 5 slowly before removing the needle.
- Dial back to zero.
- Attach a new needle. When you do this you may see insulin come out of the needle.
- Prime the Pen.
- Dial your dose and inject.
Turn the Dose Knob backward or forward to correct the dose before injecting.
What should I do if I see insulin leaking from the KwikPen needle while dialing the dose or correcting the dose?
Do not inject the dose because you may not get your complete dose. Dial the Pen down to zero and prime the Pen again. Dial your dose and inject.
What should I do if my full dose cannot be dialed?
The Pen will not allow you to dial a dose greater than the number of insulin units remaining in the cartridge. For example, if you need 31 units and only 25 units remain in the cartridge you will not be able to dial past 25. Do not attempt to dial past this point. You may either:
- Inject the partial dose and then inject the remaining dose using a new Pen, or
- Inject the full dose with a new Pen.
The Pen is designed to deliver at least 300 units of insulin. The Pen design prevents the cartridge from being completely emptied because the small amount of insulin that remains in the cartridge cannot be delivered.
What should I do with used needles?
Most states require that you store used needles in a hard container. An empty liquid detergent bottle or sharps containers are good examples. You can buy sharps containers at most pharmacies. Check with your local health department to confirm the rules where you live.
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.
