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How to Take Humalog
Glossary
Sulfonylurea
A class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose. Examples include Amaryl® (glimepiride), Glucotrol® (glipizide), and Micronase® (glyburide).
A class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose. Examples include Amaryl® (glimepiride), Glucotrol® (glipizide), and Micronase® (glyburide).
Glossary
Basal Insulin
The insulin made by your body to keep blood sugar stable between meals and overnight. Also called "basal" insulin.
The insulin made by your body to keep blood sugar stable between meals and overnight. Also called "basal" insulin.
How and where to give yourself Humalog
There is more than one way to take Humalog, including a traditional syringe, insulin pen, or external insulin pump. If you are not already taking a basal insulin, you may be new to giving yourself an injection. The first question many people in your situation ask is, "Will it hurt?" Today, insulin needles are short and tiny, so there is minimal discomfort.
Knowing exactly where on your body you should give your injection each day is very important. In general, you can give an injection anywhere there is a layer of fat under the skin. The chart below shows sites for your insulin injections in the purple and white grid areas. Each square is a place to give yourself an injection. You may need help from a family member to give injections in some of the sites.
Rotating sites
For your insulin to work best, it's important to use a different location for each injection. This is called "site rotation," and involves following a regular pattern as you move from site to site. If you take more than one injection each day, use a different area for each injection. Different people use different patterns, but the intent should always be to use all of the areas and the sites. When you do this, no one site will be used too often. Overusing a site can cause tissue changes that lower or change insulin absorption.
Determining your dose
How much insulin you need depends on you. Your doctor or diabetes educator will work with you to figure out your individual needs. In general, your mealtime dose is matched to what and how much you eat, with adjustments made for your current blood sugar level. However, there are several things, such as your weight, stress level, current medications, and exercise regimen, that affect how your body uses insulin. Your individual targets may vary as well. Checking your blood sugars will also help you determine your insulin needs. When your blood sugars are near target most of the time, you've reached the right doses. Individual targets can vary, so work with your healthcare team to determine the most appropriate targets for you.
Humalog is available by prescription only. See Humalog Patient Information for important facts about this product.
Important Safety Information
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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 clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
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, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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 clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
