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INSULIN LISPRO

Medical Diagnosis and Drugs, Medications
INSULIN LISPRO
(in'su-lyn lis'pro)
Humalog
Classifications: hormone and synthetic substitute; antidiabetic agent; insulin rapid-acting;
Therapeutic: antidiabetic; insulin rapid-acting
Prototype: Insulin injection
Pregnancy Category: B

Availability

100 units/mL

Action

Insulin lispro of recombinant DNA origin is a human insulin that is a rapid-acting, glucose-lowering agent of shorter duration than human regular insulin. It lowers blood glucose levels by increasing peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat tissue, and by inhibiting the liver from changing glycogen to glucose.

Therapeutic Effect

It lowers blood glucose levels and inhibits liver from changing glycogen to glucose.

Uses

Treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Contraindications

During episodes of hypoglycemia or in patients sensitive to any ingredient in the formulation; intravenous administration.

Cautious Use

In insulin-resistant patients, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism; older adults, renal or hepatic impairment; children, pregnancy (category B), lactation.

Route & Dosage

Diabetes Mellitus (type 1)
Adult: SC 5–10 U 0–15 min a.c. (dose adjustments based on blood glucose determinations)

Administration

Subcutaneous
  • Give 0–15 min before meals.
  • Note: May be given in same syringe with longer-acting insulins but absorption may be delayed.

Adverse Effects (≥1%)

See INSULIN INJECTIONS, REGULAR.

Interactions

See INSULIN INJECTION, REGULAR.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from IM and SC injection sites. Onset: <15 min. Peak: 0.5–1 h. Duration: 3–4 h. Distribution: Throughout extracellular fluids. Metabolism: Metabolized in liver with some metabolism in kidneys. Elimination: <2% excreted in urine. Half-Life: Biologic, up to 13 h.

Nursing Implications

(see INSULIN INJECTION, REGULAR)

Assessment & Drug Effects

  • Assess for hypoglycemia from 1 to 3 h after injection.
  • Assess highly insulin-dependent patients for need for increases in intermediate/long-acting insulins.

Patient & Family Education

  • Note: Risk of hypoglycemia is greatest 1–3 h after injection.

Common adverse effects in italic, life-threatening effects underlined; generic names in bold; classifications in SMALL CAPS; Canadian drug name; Prototype drug

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