What is Humalog Mix 50 KwikPen?
Humalog Mix 50 KwikPen is an insulin pen that is filled with an insulin suspension containing 50% insulin lispro injection and 50% insulin lispro protamine.
The Humalog KwikPen is a disposable pre-filled insulin pen. It has a compact size and simple design that allows you to manage your blood sugar levels at home or on the go with convenient, easy and accurate insulin delivery.
Humalog contains insulin lispro, a genetically engineered, fast-acting insulin with quicker absorption and faster onset of action than naturally occurring human insulin. Humalog also contains insulin protamine, which is an intermediate-acting insulin that has small proteins called protamines added to lengthen its duration of activity and decrease its onset of action. When combined together, the two types of insulin analogs in Humalog Mix 50 give you blood sugar control for the entire day, including before, during and after meals.
What is it used for?
The Humalog Mix 50 KwikPen has a mixture of insulin lispro and insulin protamine, which are both insulin analogs used to control of blood sugar levels in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It also provides a convenient option for subcutaneous injection of a 50/50 mixture of Humalog insulin. The KwikPen technology allows for easy injection of your insulin without any of the uncertainty that can be involved with self-administering injections with a syringe, and without the involvement of additional equipment, such as needles and vials.
How does it work?
Insulin analogs are synthetic insulins manufactured to work like naturally occurring human insulin. Naturally occurring insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas, which controls blood sugar levels by regulating the breakdown of food and promotes the absorption of sugar from the blood into your fat, liver and skeletal muscle cells.
Insulin lispro, an active ingredient in this medication, is a bolus (mealtime) insulin, which is used to prevent the fluctuations in blood sugar levels during and after meals. It has a rapid onset and a short duration of action, which makes it a leading option for the short-term regulation of blood sugar levels. Insulin lispro protamine is categorized as an intermediate-acting insulin analog, which has a longer onset and duration of action that makes it suitable for a long-term protection against blood sugar level fluctuations. Lispro protamine has a similar activity and absorption profile as NPH insulin (isophane insulin), another common intermediate-acting insulin analog.
Side effects
Common side effects may include:
- Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Injection site reactions
Less common side effects may include:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Lipoatrophy
- Hypokalemia
The most common side effect of the Mix 50 KwikPen is low blood sugar, which is called hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of having too low blood sugar may include
- dizziness
- nausea
- sweating
- headache
- drowsiness
- excessive hunger
- fast heartbeat
- tremor
- confusion
- trouble concentrating
- blurred vision
- weakness
- seizure (convulsions).
Other common side effects are skin site irritations, or local allergies, such as swelling, redness and itching at the injection site. These effects may be related to impurities in the cleansing agent, or due to a poor injection technique, and not specifically to the Mix 50 KwikPen.
Diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a serious condition where your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones, can develop if you do not have enough insulin in your body. This can occur if you forget your insulin dose, take less than your usual dose, eat too much food, or become sick with an infection or fever. The symptoms tend to come on slowly, over a period of hours or days, and include an excessive thirst, feeling drowsy, flushed face and the loss of appetite. A rapid increase in pulse and heavy breathing may be signs of even more severe symptoms. This is a potentially lethal condition, and if left without intervention it can result in the loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. If you experience these symptoms it is very important that you contact your doctor and get medical help immediately.
Less common side effects can also include hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood) and lipoatrophy (localized loss of fat tissue around your injection site). Serious side effects may include anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) and other allergies or hypersensitivity reactions.
How to take this medication
Humalog Mix 50 KwikPens should be administered subcutaneously about 15 minutes before a meal, or within 20 minutes after the start of the meal.
The Humalog KwikPen is a pre-filled, disposable insulin pen, which dials one unit at a time and contains many doses in only one pen. It is possible to give yourself up to 60 units in one injection. Before use, refer to your KwikPen “instructions for use” for specific administration instructions and always remember to carefully follow your doctor’s directions.
Humalog Mix 50 KwikPens can be injected under the skin in your stomach area, back of upper arms, upper legs, or buttocks. Never inject into a vein or into muscle tissue. Always use a different site each time when you inject, and do not use any single injection site too often. Talk to your doctor about the best injection sites for you.
Dosage
Your individual dose schedule will vary compared to others with diabetes. Your doctor, who is familiar with your specific eating habits, personal metabolic needs, and other lifestyle factors will prescribe a dosage that is right for you.
Humalog Mix 50 KwikPens are approximately equal to naturally occurring insulin, with one unit having the same effect on lowering blood sugar as one unit of naturally occurring human insulin, although Mix 50 insulin is more rapid and has a shorter duration. If you are switching the type of insulin you are using, it should be done carefully and under your doctor’s supervision. Switching insulin types, strength, species, manufacturer, or method of manufacture can also cause you to change your dose or dose schedule.
As with all insulin analogs, the absorption and duration of Humalog Mix 50 action can vary in different people and even within the same person depending on changes in diet, exercise, and overall health. The rate of insulin absorption and its onset of activity can be affected by the injection site you use, exercise, and other factors. Remember to carefully follow your doctor’s directions to allow for these kinds of changes. Other variables that can affect your dose are illness, other medications you may be taking, travel and pregnancy.
Warnings and Precautions
Humalog Mix 50 KwikPen should never be shared between patients, even if you change the needle.
Before using your KwikPen, talk to your doctor if:
- You are pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant
- You have or have had trouble with your kidneys or liver
- You want to change your usual diet
- You drink alcohol
- You use other medicines, or supplements
- You begin to exercise more than usual
- You are traveling across more than two time zones
- You feel you may be sick
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