Humalog Mix 50 / 50 KwikPen

Name: Humalog Mix 50 / 50 KwikPen

How should I use this medicine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Insulin is injected under the skin. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Do not inject insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine into a vein.

Use this medication within 15 minutes before eating a meal.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject this insulin. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe.

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your insulin dose or schedule.

Insulin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine:

  • Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or

  • Store at room temperature and use the vial within 28 days or use the injection pen within 10 days.

Storing opened (in use) insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine:

  • Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use within 28 days.

  • Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 10 days. Do not store the injection pen with a needle attached.

This medicine should look cloudy. Do not use the medicine if it looks clear or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wear a diabetes medical alert tag in case of emergency. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have diabetes.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is used before meals, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule. Whenever you use the medicine, be sure to eat a meal within 15 minutes. Do not use extra medicine to make up a missed dose.

Keep insulin on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.

This medicine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of insulin allergy: redness or swelling where an injection was given, itchy skin rash over the entire body, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • fluid retention--weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling short of breath; or

  • low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • low blood sugar;

  • itching, mild skin rash; or

  • thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen (insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine)?

Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

For the Consumer

Applies to insulin lispro / insulin lispro protamine: subcutaneous suspension

Along with its needed effects, insulin lispro / insulin lispro protamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking insulin lispro / insulin lispro protamine:

Incidence not known
  • Anxiety
  • blurred vision
  • chills
  • cold sweats
  • confusion
  • convulsions
  • cool, pale skin
  • cough
  • decreased urine
  • depression
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • fast heartbeat
  • flushing or redness of the skin
  • headache
  • hives
  • increased hunger
  • increased thirst
  • irregular heartbeat
  • itching
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle pain or cramps
  • nausea or vomiting
  • nervousness
  • nightmares
  • numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • seizures
  • shakiness
  • shortness of breath
  • skin rash
  • slurred speech
  • sweating
  • swelling
  • tightness in the chest
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusually warm skin
  • wheezing

Some side effects of insulin lispro / insulin lispro protamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known
  • Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  • redistribution or accumulation of body fat

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