Insulin Lispro Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Insulin Lispro Injection (insulin lispro) is a rapid-acting human insulin analog used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It starts working faster and does not last as long as regular insulin, so it acts more like the insulin the body normally produces at mealtimes. It is used along with a proper diet and exercise plan to help control blood sugar levels.

What is Insulin Lispro Injection

Insulin lispro is a man-made, fast-acting form of insulin. It starts working faster and doesn't last as long as regular insulin, so it acts more like the insulin your body normally makes at mealtimes.

Insulin Lispro Injection uses

• Treats type 1 diabetes, where the body does not produce insulin
• Treats type 2 diabetes in people who need insulin to control blood sugar
• Used with a diet and exercise plan to control high blood sugar

Benefits of Insulin Lispro Injection

• Helps control blood sugar levels after meals
• May lower the chance of long-term diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems

How Insulin Lispro Injection works

Insulin lispro works like the body's own insulin by helping sugar move out of the blood and into muscle, fat, and liver cells for energy or storage, and by telling the liver to release less sugar into the blood.

Insulin Lispro Injection dosage

Inject this medicine under the skin (subcutaneously) in the stomach, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks, and rotate the injection site each time. When used as a mealtime insulin, take it shortly before eating or right after eating a meal. Do not inject into skin that is tender, bruised, scaly, hard, damaged, thick, or has pits, lumps, or scars.

Always check that the solution is clear and colorless before use; do not use it if it looks cloudy, colored, or has particles in it. Do not shake vials; suspensions (if prescribed) should be gently rolled or shaken as directed to mix before use.

If mixing with a longer-acting insulin such as NPH, draw the insulin lispro into the syringe first, then the longer-acting insulin, and inject right away. Do not mix insulin lispro with other insulins or dilute it when using it in an external insulin pump.

Never reuse or share needles, syringes, cartridges, or pens. Always prime the pen before each use to remove air and confirm insulin flow.

Follow the meal plan and exercise routine recommended by your doctor or dietitian, and try to eat similar amounts of food at similar times each day. Never use insulin lispro if you have symptoms of low blood sugar or have confirmed low blood sugar by testing. Do not switch brands, types, or doses of insulin without talking to your doctor first.

Available forms and strengths

• Solution (liquid) for injection
• Suspension (liquid with particles that settle) for injection
• Vials
• Prefilled pens
• Cartridges for use in reusable pens

Side effects of Insulin Lispro Injection

Common

• Redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site
• Skin changes such as thickening, small dents, or lumps in the skin
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Shakiness

Serious

• Signs of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching, difficulty breathing, hives, wheezing, fast heartbeat, sweating, drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion
• Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
• Weakness, muscle cramps, or abnormal heartbeat (possible signs of low potassium)
• Shortness of breath or chest tightness
• Large weight gain in a short period of time
• Swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Seizures or loss of consciousness from very low or very high blood sugar

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
• Never share insulin pens, cartridges, needles, or syringes with anyone else, even if the needle is changed, because this can spread serious infections.
• Never use this medicine if you are having symptoms of low blood sugar or have confirmed low blood sugar by testing.
• Using this medicine with certain other diabetes medicines (such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone) may cause serious heart problems or fluid buildup.
• Do not change the brand, type, or dose of your insulin without talking to your doctor first, since this can affect your blood sugar control.
• If you use an insulin pump, high blood sugar can develop quickly if the pump malfunctions, the insulin is exposed to heat or sunlight, or the tubing leaks, kinks, or becomes blocked.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant while using this medicine, since insulin needs often change during pregnancy.
• There isn't enough research on using insulin lispro while breastfeeding to know the risk to the infant, so talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks.
• Kidney disease can change how your body clears this insulin, so your dose may need to be adjusted and monitored closely.
• Liver disease can change how your body clears this insulin, so your dose may need to be adjusted and monitored closely.
• Drinking alcohol can cause your blood sugar to change and may lead to severe low blood sugar, so talk with your healthcare team about safe alcohol use.
• Low blood sugar can affect your ability to concentrate, and this medicine can also cause dizziness or drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store unopened vials, cartridges, and pens in the refrigerator, but do not freeze them
• If a refrigerator is not available, unopened solution products can be kept at room temperature away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, and used within 28 days before they must be thrown away
• Opened (in-use) vials, cartridges, and pens can generally be kept at room temperature in a cool place away from direct heat and light for up to 28 days (some suspension products in pens should be discarded after 10 days)
• Do not refrigerate opened cartridges or pens
• Discard any insulin that has been exposed to extreme heat or cold, or that is past its expiration date
• Throw away used needles and syringes in a hard, puncture-resistant, closed container that needles cannot poke through, and keep this container away from children and pets
• Keep all medication out of the sight and reach of children
• Dispose of unneeded medication so that pets, children, and other people cannot take it; do not flush it down the toilet, and use a medicine take-back program if possible

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have trouble breathing, a rash over your whole body, a fast heartbeat, or sweating, which can be signs of a serious allergic reaction
• Seek emergency care immediately if someone loses consciousness, has a seizure, or cannot be woken up, since these can be signs of severe low blood sugar
• Go to a doctor or hospital right away if symptoms of low blood sugar do not improve after treating them with sugar or glucose
• Call your doctor immediately if you have rapid weight gain, chest pain or discomfort, extreme tiredness or weakness, trouble breathing, an uneven heartbeat, or unusual swelling of the hands, wrists, ankles, or feet
• Contact your doctor if you notice signs of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unusual tiredness, so your treatment can be adjusted

Alternatives

• NovoRapid
• Humalog
• Apidra