Insulin Lispro Injection

What is Insulin Lispro Injection?

Insulin lispro is used to control blood sugar in people who have diabetes. Insulin lispro is in a class of medications called hormones. People who have diabetes do not produce enough natural insulin, a substance that is needed to break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food and to move sugar from the blood to other parts of the body. Insulin lispro works by replacing the insulin that is normally produced by the body. Insulin lispro starts working more quickly but continues to work for a shorter time than regular insulin. Insulin lispro is always used with other medications for diabetes. You will need to use another type of insulin or take an oral medication, depending on the type of diabetes you have.

How

Always look at your insulin lispro before you inject it. It should be as clear, colorless, and fluid as water. Do not use your insulin lispro if it is colored, cloudy, thickened, or contains solid particles, or if the expiration date on the bottle has passed.

Wash your hands.

If you are using a new bottle, flip off the plastic cap, but do not remove the stopper.

Wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol swab.

Pull back the plunger of the syringe until the top of the plunger is even with the dose your doctor told you to inject.

Push the needle through the rubber stopper on the bottle.

Push down on the plunger to inject the air into the bottle.

Turn the bottle upside down without removing the syringe.

Be sure the tip of the needle is under the liquid in the bottle. Slowly pull back on the plunger until the top of the plunger is even with the dose your doctor told you to inject.

While the needle is still in the bottle, check whether there are air bubbles in the syringe. If there are bubbles, hold the syringe upright and tap on it to push the bubbles to the top. Push the plunger up to move the bubbles out of the syringe, and then pull the plunger back down to the correct dose.

Remove the needle from the bottle and lay the syringe down so that the needle is not touching anything.

Use an alcohol pad to wipe the area where you plan to inject your medication.

Pinch up a large area of skin, or spread the skin flat with your hands.

Insert the needle into your skin. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to do this.

If you are using a syringe, push the plunger all the way down. If you are using a pen, follow the manufacturer's instructions for dispensing a dose.

Pull the needle out and press down on the spot for several seconds, but do not rub it.

Side Effects

redness, swelling, or itching in the place where you injected insulin lispro

Insulin lispro may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html

extreme thirst

frequent urination

extreme hunger

weakness

blurred vision

dry mouth

upset stomach and vomiting

shortness of breath

breath that smells fruity

decreased consciousness

shakiness

dizziness or lightheadedness

sweating

nervousness or irritability

sudden changes in behavior or mood

headache

numbness or tingling around the mouth

weakness

pale skin

hunger

clumsy or jerky movements

confusion

seizures

loss of consciousness

Precautions

Before using insulin lispro,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to insulin (Humulin, Iletin, Novolin, Velosulin, others) or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); antacids; antihistamines; beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills'); cholesterol-lowering medications such as niacin (Niacor, Niaspan); hormone replacement therapy; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); laxatives; medications for mental illness and upset stomach; monoamine oxidase inhibitors including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral medications for diabetes; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trisalate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate); sulfa antibiotics; theophylline (TheoDur) and thyroid medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had nerve damage caused by your diabetes; any disease that affects your adrenal (a gland near the kidney that produces chemicals needed for fluid balance), pituitary (a gland in the head that produces many chemicals), or thyroid glands; or liver or kidney disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using insulin lispro, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using insulin lispro.

ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, experience unusual stress, plan to travel across more than two time zones, or change your exercise or activity schedule. These changes can affect your dosing schedule and the amount of insulin you will need.

ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar. Be aware that hypoglycemia may affect your ability to perform tasks such as driving and ask your doctor if you need to check your blood sugar before driving or operating machinery.

Overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

coma

seizures

What If I Forget

Insulin lispro must be injected shortly before or after a meal. If you remember your dose before or shortly after your meal, inject the missed dose right away. If some time has passed since your meal, call your doctor to find out whether you should inject the missed dose. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store vials of insulin lispro in the refrigerator but do not freeze them. If necessary, you may store the vial you are using outside the refrigerator in a cool dark place for up to 28 days. If your doctor tells you to dilute your insulin lispro, the vial of diluted medication can be stored for 28 days in the refrigerator or 14 days at room temperature. Store extra insulin lispro pens and cartridges that are not in use in the refrigerator but do not freeze them. Store the pen and cartridge you are using outside the refrigerator in a cool dark place for up to 28 days. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Dietary Restrictions

Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using insulin lispro.

Miscellaneous

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Other Uses

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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