Humalog and Novolog are two diabetes medications. Humalog is the brand-name version of insulin lispro, and Novolog is the brand-name version of insulin aspart. Humalog and Novolog are both rapid acting. That means they work more quickly than other types of insulin. There are important distinctions between Humalog and Novolog, however, and the drugs are not directly interchangeable.
Insulin is injected under your skin into the fat. Humalog and Novolog are both equivalent to the insulin made in your body. Unlike oral diabetes drugs, insulin provides fast relief for changes in your blood sugar. The type of insulin your doctor prescribes depends on how often and how much your blood sugar fluctuates each day.
Rapid-acting insulin works quicker than other types of insulin. Humalog and Novolog are in the rapid-acting class of insulin. The American Diabetes Association estimates that both medications start working after 15 minutes.
The exact time frame of the onset, peak, and duration may vary slightly for you. Also, you must eat within a short time after using either drug. Delaying eating after using a rapid-acting insulin could cause hypoglycemia low blood sugar.
Your doctor will decide your dosage. Both Humalog and Novolog help lower and stabilize your blood sugar when used as prescribed. But a few differences exist between the drugs. Novolog can be used by adults and children who are at least 2 years old and who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Adults with type 2 diabetes are sometimes prescribed Humalog, too. For the best results, you should use Humalog 15 minutes before eating. Novolog takes action in the body more quickly than Humalog, so you can take it closer to a meal.
The best results are achieved if you take Novolog 5 to 10 minutes before eating. Another difference is that only Novolog can be diluted.
If you need a dose lower than the amount you have, you can dilute Novolog with Novolog diluting medium. It quickly drops the blood sugar level and works for a short time. If a rapid-acting insulin is used instead of a short-acting insulin at the start of dinner, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night. Short-acting insulins take effect and wear off more quickly than long-acting insulins.
A short-acting insulin is often used 30 minutes before a meal so that it has time to work. These liquid insulins are clear and do not settle out when the bottle vial sits for a while. Intermediate-acting insulins contain added substances buffers that make them work over a long time and that may make them look cloudy.
When these types of insulin sit for even a few minutes, the buffered insulin settles to the bottom of the vial. Mixtures of insulin can sometimes be combined in the same syringe, for example, intermediate-acting and rapid- or short-acting insulin. Not all insulins can be mixed together. For convenience, there are premixed rapid- and intermediate-acting insulin. The insulin will start to work as quickly as the fastest-acting insulin in the combination. It will peak when each type of insulin typically peaks, and it will last as long as the longest-acting insulin.
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The longer the exposure to extreme temperatures, the less effective the insulin becomes. This can result in loss of blood glucose control over time. You should try to keep insulin as cool as possible. If you are using ice, avoid freezing the insulin. Do not use insulin that has been frozen. Keep insulin away from direct heat and out of direct sunlight. When properly stored insulin becomes available again, the insulin vials that have been exposed to these extreme conditions should be discarded and replaced as soon as possible.
If patients or healthcare providers have specific questions about the suitability of their insulin, they may call the respective manufacturer at the following numbers:.
Lilly: Sanofi-Aventis: Novo Nordisk: Insulin contained in the infusion set of a pump device e. Insulin contained in the infusion set of a pump device and exposed to temperature exceeding Switching insulin should always be done in consultation with a physician and requires close medical supervision, and if possible, close monitoring of blood glucose. If medical supervision is not possible under emergency conditions, the following recommendations may be considered.
Make sure to closely monitor your blood glucose and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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