Insulin Lispro
We answer some of the most frequently asked questions on Insulin Lispro.
1. What is Insulin Lispro? How can it help control my blood sugar levels?
Insulin Lispro (brand name: Humalog) is a fast acting Insulin that starts working sooner than other types of Insulin. It also reaches peak activity (the point at which it is most effective) sooner, and then leaves your body more quickly.
Generally your body changes most of the food you eat into a form of sugar. Insulin helps this sugar enter all of the cells in your body to be used as energy. If your body doesn't produce enough Insulin or the Insulin have doesn't work properly, sugar builds up in blood stream instead of moving into the cells. This causes a high blood sugar level. Insulin Lispro keeps the blood sugar levels from going too high after the intake of food.
To keep your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day, your doctor will probably prescribe either longer-acting Insulin or another drug, in addition to Insulin Lispro.
2. When and how do I take insulin lispro?
Insulin Lispro should be injected under the skin fifteen minutes before you eat a meal. Your doctor will advise on how much Insulin Lispro to inject.
Insulin lispro is more convenient to take than regular Insulin. If you've been using regular Insulin, you've had to inject it, and then wait 30 to 45 minutes before eating. Many people find it hard to time their meals around regular Insulin injections. Sometimes they end up eating too early or too late, depriving themselves of the best blood sugar control that Insulin has to offer. Since Insulin Lispro is taken so close to meals, it may help you get the best possible blood sugar control.
3. Can I mix insulin Lispro with other Insulins?
It's best that you mix insulin lispro only with Humulin U or Humulin N, which are brand names for certain longer-acting insulins. Insulin lispro should always be drawn into the syringe first. This will keep the longer-acting insulin from getting into the insulin lispro bottle. After mixing insulin lispro in the same syringe with Humulin U or Humulin N, you must inject the mixture under your skin within 15 minutes. Remember to eat within about 15 minutes after the injection.
4. How do I prepare the correct dose of Insulin lispro?
To prepare a dose of insulin lispro, follow these steps:
Wash your hands.
Take the plastic cover off the new insulin bottle and wipe the top of the bottle with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. It's best to allow the insulin to be at room temperature before you inject it.
Pull back the plunger of the syringe. This way, you can draw air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin lispro that you are taking. Then put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Then turn the bottle upside down.
Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin into the syringe. The dose is measured in units. Check that you have the prescribed units of insulin in the syringe.
Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe before you take the needle out of the insulin bottle. Air bubbles can cut down the amount of insulin that you get in your injection. If air bubbles are present, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up in one hand, tap the syringe with your other hand and let the air bubbles float to the top. Push on the plunger of the syringe to move the air bubbles back into the insulin bottle. Then draw the correct insulin dose by pulling back on the plunger.
5. Where do I inject the insulin lispro?
Insulin lispro is injected just under the skin. Your doctor will show you how and where to give an insulin injection. First, clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol. Most people are able to grab a fold of skin and inject insulin at a 90-degree angle. If you're thin, you may need to pinch the skin and inject the insulin at a 45-degree angle. When the needle is in your skin, you don't need to draw back the syringe plunger to check for blood.
The usual places to inject insulin are the upper arm, the front and side parts of the thighs, and the abdomen (tummy area). Don't inject insulin closer than two inches to your navel (belly button).
To keep your skin from thickening, try not to inject the insulin in the same place over and over. Instead, change injection places. But if you usually inject insulin into your arm, just inject in different spots on your arm rather than switching to the thigh or abdomen. This works better because insulin is absorbed at different rates from your arm, your thigh and your abdomen.
6. What is an insulin reaction?
Hypoglycemia, or an insulin reaction, is when the blood sugar levels in the body drop too low. Your blood sugar level can get too low if you exercise more than usual, if you don't eat enough, if you don't eat on time or if you take too much insulin. If you have an insulin reaction, you may feel some or all of these symptoms: headache, nervousness, shakiness, heavy sweating, rapid heartbeat, hunger, confusion or dizziness. Most people who take insulin have insulin reactions at some point of time.
If you're going to use insulin lispro, you need to be aware of insulin reactions and how to treat them. Insulin lispro will help you control your blood sugar level, but it does act quickly. While you and your doctor are working to adjust your dose of this insulin, you may have some insulin reactions.
Just in case you have an insulin reaction, you should carry at least 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate with you at all times. Here are examples of quick sources of energy that can relieve the symptoms of an insulin reaction:
Sodas that are not diet--1/2 to 3/4 of a cup
Fruit juices and fruits--1/2 cup of juice or 2 tablespoons of raisins
Candy--5 Lifesavers
Milk--1 cup
Glucose tablets--3 tablets that are 5 grams each
If you don't feel better 15 minutes after having a fast-acting carbohydrate or if monitoring shows that your blood sugar level is still too low, have another 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
You should teach your family members and friends how to give you a drug called Glucagon in case your blood sugar level is too low and you need help from another person. Glucagon comes in powder and liquid forms that must be mixed together. The mixture must then be injected. Be sure to talk to your doctor to learn how to use Glucagon.
7. How can I keep my blood sugar level from becoming too high or too low?
You need to check your blood sugar level regularly using a blood glucose monitor. You'll need to write down each measurement and show this record to your doctor, so he or she can tell you how much insulin to take.
Blood sugar measurements are different depending on stress levels, how much you exercise, how fast you absorb your food and hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, etc. Illness, traveling or a change in your routine may mean that you have to monitor your blood sugar level more often.
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