Why it is Prescribed
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 it Works
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Why it is Prescribed
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 it Works
Insulin lispro comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected 15 minutes before a meal or immediately after a meal. Your doctor will tell you how many times you should inject insulin lispro each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use insulin lispro exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Never use insulin lispro when you have symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or if you have checked your blood sugar and found it to be low. Call your doctor in these cases.
Insulin lispro controls diabetes but does not cure ...
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Other Uses
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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.
Insulin lispro overdose can occur if you take too much insulin lispro or if you take the right amount of insulin lispro but eat or exercise less than usual. Insulin lispro overdose can cause hypoglycemia. If you have any of the symptoms of hypoglycemia listed above, follow your doctor's instructions for what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. Other symptoms of overdose:
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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 ...
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Possible Side Effects
This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.
You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while you are taking this medication. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:
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Special Dietary Concerns
Be sure to follow all dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthful diet, and to eat about the same amounts of the same kinds of food at about the same times each day. Skipping or delaying meals or changing the amount or kind of food you eat can cause problems with your blood sugar control.
Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using insulin lispro.
Storage Conditions
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 ...
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