Humalog

Humalog has a hypoglycemic effect.

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Indications Humalog

It is used for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: in case of poor tolerance to other insulin drugs, postprandial glycemia that cannot be corrected by other medications, and also in case of acute insulin resistance.

It is also used for diabetes mellitus that is insulin-independent: in the presence of resistance to hypoglycemic agents, as well as in cases of diseases or operations that complicate the clinical picture of diabetes.

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Release form

The drug is released in the form of an injection liquid, inside 3 ml cartridges, 5 pieces per box. It is also sold in cartridges (3 ml), packed in syringe pens, 5 pieces per package. In addition, it can be released in 10 ml vials (1 vial per box).

Pharmacodynamics

Humalog is a DNA-altered version of insulin produced by the human body. It is distinguished by its ability to change the amino acid combination within the insulin B-chain.

The drug regulates glucose metabolism processes and has an anabolic effect. After its introduction into human muscle tissue, there is an increase in glycogen and glycerol with fatty acids, protein synthesis is potentiated and amino acid consumption increases. But at the same time, there is a decrease in ketogenesis, gluconeogenesis with lipolysis and glycogenolysis, and in addition, protein catabolism and amino acid release are weakened.

If the patient has diabetes type 1 or 2, in case of administration of the drug after a meal, a more pronounced hyperglycemia is observed in relation to the effect of human insulin. The period of development of the effect of the drug varies widely and also depends on a large number of factors - portion size, temperature, blood supply, injection site, as well as the physical activity of the person.

The use of the drug reduces the number of episodes of hypoglycemia occurring at night in diabetics. Its effect, compared to human insulin, develops more quickly (after 15 minutes on average), while the duration of action is shorter (within 2-5 hours).

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Pharmacokinetics

The administered drug is rapidly absorbed, reaching blood Cmax values after 0.5-1 hour. People with renal insufficiency have a higher absorption rate compared to human insulin. The half-life is approximately 60 minutes.

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Dosing and administration

The dose size of the drug is selected for each patient individually, taking into account their sensitivity to exogenous insulin, as well as their health condition. The drug should be administered at least 15 minutes before (or after) eating. The procedure regimen is individual. It is necessary to take into account that the temperature of the drug should correspond to room temperature.

The daily requirement may vary significantly, often amounting to 0.5-1 IU/kg. Then, single and daily doses of the drug are adjusted taking into account the patient's metabolic processes and the results of repeated urine and blood tests for sugar levels.

Intravenous administration of Humalog is carried out in the form of a standard intravenous injection. Subcutaneous injections are performed in the buttocks, abdomen, shoulders or thighs; the sites should be changed periodically so as not to use one area more than once a month. The injection area does not need to be massaged. The procedure should be performed very carefully to prevent the drug from entering a blood vessel.

The patient needs to learn how to perform the injection correctly.

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Use Humalog during pregnancy

There is a large amount of information regarding the use of the drug during pregnancy. No adverse symptoms associated with the course of pregnancy or the condition of the fetus/newborn have been detected. The condition of women with insulin-dependent diabetes or with gestational diabetes using insulin during pregnancy should be closely monitored.

The need for insulin often decreases in the first trimester and then increases in the second and third. Women with diabetes should consult a doctor about planning a pregnancy or when pregnancy occurs. During this period, such patients should be under constant supervision to monitor blood sugar levels and general condition.

Nursing mothers with diabetes may need to adjust their medication dosage or diet.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• presence of high sensitivity to the drug;
• hypoglycemia.

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Side effects Humalog

The main side effect caused by the drug is hypoglycemia. In severe cases, this pathology may lead to loss of consciousness (due to hypoglycemic coma), and even death may occur.

Signs of allergy: mainly in the form of local symptoms - redness, swelling, itching or lipodystrophy at the injection site. More rarely, systemic manifestations of allergy are noted - fever, skin itching, dyspnea, decreased blood pressure, Quincke's edema, tachycardia and hyperhidrosis.

Overdose

In case of overdose of the drug, hypoglycemia may develop, against the background of which hyperhidrosis, tremors, a feeling of lethargy, tachycardia, as well as apathy, headaches, vomiting and disturbance of consciousness are observed. It should be taken into account that hypoglycemia may occur not only due to intoxication with the drug, but also as a result of increased insulin activity provoked by food consumption or energy expenditure.

Depending on the severity of hypoglycemia, appropriate procedures are performed.

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Interactions with other drugs

The antidiabetic activity of the drug is weakened when combined with thyroid hormones, oral contraception, danazol and GCS. In addition, this list includes tricyclics, chlorprothixene, β2-adrenergic agonists, diazoxide with diuretics, lithium carbonate with isoniazid, niacin and phenothiazine derivatives.

The antidiabetic properties of Humalog are potentiated when combined with substances containing ethyl alcohol, β-blockers, MAOIs, anabolic steroids, fenfluramine, as well as with salicylates, tetracyclines, ACE inhibitors, guanethidine, octreotide, sulfonamides and oral hypoglycemic agents.

It is prohibited to mix the drug with animal insulin substances, although it can be used under medical supervision together with human insulin (long-acting type).

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Storage conditions

Humalog should not be frozen. The medicine should be kept at a temperature of 2-8°C.

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Shelf life

Humalog can be used within 24 months from the date of manufacture of the pharmaceutical product.

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Application for children

Humalog is preferred over soluble human insulin in children only in situations where the rapid effect of insulin is considered an important advantage - for example, when timing injections in relation to food intake.

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Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Pharmasulin, Inutral SPP, and Inutral HM, as well as Iletin II regular and Iletin I regular.

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Reviews

Humalog often receives positive reviews - the drug qualitatively compensates for the deficiency of glucose in the blood. The development of negative symptoms is noted quite rarely.