Humalog for Fast Acting Glucose Infusion
Humalog is a brand name prescription strength diabetes insulin medication. It is a rapid acting glucose lowering agent used to treat type 1 and 2 diabetes. It comes in injectable form, and can start working in just 15 minutes whether it is taken before or after meal. The most important aspects of taken Humalog before or after meal are to help control high blood sugar spikes which occur with diabetes patients after meals either from going up (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia.)
Class:
Humalog is from family or class of medications called (insulin analog) and it comes in 2 generic forms known as insulin lispro, and insulin lispro protamine. Humalog also comes in different types of mixes, with most popular and preferred mixes being Humalog Mix 25/75, Mix 75/25, and Mix 50/50. Mix 25/75 is a mixture of 25 percent insulin lispro (the rapid acting insulin) and 75 percent NPL (a novel intermediate acting insulin.) 75/25 mix is just the opposite. This medication is approved for use in both adult and children.
Side effects:
The most common side effects of Humalog are irritation or redness at the site of injection. Different side effects also do occur as result, in form of low blood sugar when patients take excess dose of the medication and can experience high blood sugar when not enough of the medication is taken.
More severe Side effects of the medication include:
- Cold sweat
- Feeling of fainting
- Rapid heart rate
- Headache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Slurred speech
- Rash or hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremor
- Trouble with concentration
- Seizure
- Unexplained hunger
- Tightness in the chest
- Feeling drowsy or dizzy
Warnings:
People with liver or kidney disease should not use humalog without consulting with their doctors first. Pregnant women should also talk to their doctor before using this medication as it may be harmful to the unborn baby.
Humalog is not a standalone medication for the treatment of diabetes. It is a fast acting drug with short duration that should be used with other longer lasting medications in order to better control signs of diabetes.
Always use Humalog as prescribed, because high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) will occur if used in insufficient quantity and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if used in larger quantity. Always consult with your doctor before using this or any other drug. If you experience any signs of side effects, call your doctor immediately.