Humalog

Important Administration Instructions

• Always check insulin labels before administration [see Warnings and Precautions ].
• Inspect HUMALOG visually before use. It should appear clear and colorless. Do not use HUMALOG if particulate matter or coloration is seen.
• Use HUMALOG prefilled pens with caution in patients with visual impairment that may rely on audible clicks to dial their dose.
• Do NOT mix HUMALOG U-100 with other insulins when using a continuous subcutaneous infusion pump.
• Do NOT transfer HUMALOG U-200 from the prefilled pen to a syringe for administration [see Warnings and Precautions ].
• Do NOT perform dose conversion when using any HUMALOG U-100 or U-200 prefilled pens. The dose window shows the number of insulin units to be delivered and no conversion is needed.

Administration Instructions for the Approved Routes of Administration

Dosage Recommendations

• Individualize and adjust the dosage of HUMALOG based on route of administration, the individual's metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results and glycemic control goal.
• When switching from another insulin to HUMALOG, a different dosage of HUMALOG may be needed [see Warnings and Precautions ].
• Dosage modifications may be needed with changes in physical activity, changes in meal patterns (i.e., macronutrient content or timing of food intake), changes in renal or hepatic function or during acute illness [see Warnings and Precautions and Use in Specific Populations ].
• Do NOT perform dose conversion when using any HUMALOG U-100 or U-200 prefilled pens. The dose window shows the number of insulin units to be delivered and no conversion is needed.

Dosage Modifications for Drug Interactions

Dosage modification may be needed when HUMALOG is used concomitantly with certain drugs [see Drug Interactions ].

Instructions for Mixing with Other Insulins

The table below includes administration instructions regarding mixing HUMALOG U-100 and HUMALOG U-200 with other insulins.

Pregnancy

Lactation

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of HUMALOG to improve glycemic control have been established in pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Use of HUMALOG for this indication is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in 831 pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus aged 3 years and older and from studies in adults with diabetes mellitus [see Adverse Reactions , Clinical Pharmacology , and Clinical Studies ].

Geriatric Use

Of the total number of patients (n=2,834) in eight clinical studies of HUMALOG, twelve percent (n=338) were 65 years of age or over. The majority of these patients had type 2 diabetes. HbA1c values and hypoglycemia rates did not differ by age. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies to assess the effect of age on the onset of HUMALOG action have not been performed.

Renal Impairment

Patients with renal impairment may be at increased risk of hypoglycemia and may require more frequent HUMALOG dose adjustment and more frequent blood glucose monitoring [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Hepatic Impairment

Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of hypoglycemia and may require more frequent HUMALOG dose adjustment and more frequent blood glucose monitoring [see Clinical Pharmacology ].

Never Share a HUMALOG Prefilled Pen, Cartridge, Reusable Pen Compatible with Lilly 3 mL Cartridges1, or Syringe Between Patients

HUMALOG prefilled pens, cartridges, and reusable pens compatible with Lilly 3 mL cartridges must never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using HUMALOG vials must never share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen

Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ] or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia [see Adverse Reactions ].

Make any changes to a patient's insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. For patients with type 2 diabetes, dosage adjustments of concomitant antidiabetic products may be needed.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction associated with insulins, including HUMALOG. Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures, may be life-threatening, or cause death. Hypoglycemia can impair concentration ability and reaction time; this may place an individual and others at risk in situations where these abilities are important (e.g., driving or operating other machinery).

Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly, and symptoms may differ in each individual and change over time in the same individual. Symptomatic awareness of hypoglycemia may be less pronounced in patients with longstanding diabetes, in patients with diabetic nerve disease, in patients using medications that block the sympathetic nervous system (e.g., beta-blockers) [see Drug Interactions ], or in patients who experience recurrent hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia Due to Medication Errors

Accidental mix-ups between insulin products have been reported. To avoid medication errors between HUMALOG and other insulins, instruct patients to always check the insulin label before each injection.

Do not transfer HUMALOG U-200 from the HUMALOG KwikPen to a syringe. The markings on the insulin syringe will not measure the dose correctly and can result in overdosage and severe hypoglycemia [see Dosage and Administration and Warnings and Precautions ].

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulins, including HUMALOG. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue HUMALOG; treat per standard of care and monitor until symptoms and signs resolve [see Adverse Reactions ]. HUMALOG is contraindicated in patients who have had hypersensitivity reactions to insulin lispro or any of the excipients in HUMALOG [see Contraindications ].

Hypokalemia

All insulins, including HUMALOG, cause a shift in potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia. Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk for hypokalemia if indicated (e.g., patients using potassium-lowering medications, patients taking medications sensitive to serum potassium concentrations).

Fluid Retention and Heart Failure with Concomitant Use of PPAR-gamma Agonists

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists, can cause dose-related fluid retention, particularly when used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure. Patients treated with insulin, including HUMALOG, and a PPAR-gamma agonist should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure develops, it should be managed according to current standards of care, and discontinuation or dose reduction of the PPAR-gamma agonist must be considered.

Hyperglycemia and Ketoacidosis Due to Insulin Pump Device Malfunction

Malfunction of the insulin pump or insulin infusion set or insulin degradation can rapidly lead to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Prompt identification and correction of the cause of hyperglycemia or ketosis is necessary. Interim subcutaneous injections with HUMALOG may be required. Patients using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump therapy must be trained to administer insulin by injection and have alternate insulin therapy available in case of pump failure [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling and Patient Counseling Information ].

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying designs, the adverse reaction rates reported in one clinical trial may not be easily compared with those rates reported in another clinical trial, and may not reflect the rates actually observed in clinical practice.

Common adverse reactions, excluding hypoglycemia, were defined as events that occurred in ≥5% of patients treated with insulin lispro or regular human insulin. The frequencies of adverse reactions during HUMALOG clinical trials in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus are listed in the tables below.

Postmarketing Experience

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of HUMALOG. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Medication errors in which other insulins have been accidentally substituted for HUMALOG have been identified during post-approval use.

Localized cutaneous amyloidosis at the injection site has occurred. Hyperglycemia has been reported with repeated insulin injections into areas of localized cutaneous amyloidosis; hypoglycemia has been reported with a sudden change to an unaffected injection site.

Mechanism of Action

Regulation of glucose metabolism is the primary activity of insulins and insulin analogs, including insulin lispro. Insulins lower blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulins inhibit lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhance protein synthesis.

Pharmacodynamics

HUMALOG has been shown to be equipotent to human insulin on a molar basis. One unit of HUMALOG has the same glucose-lowering effect as one unit of regular human insulin. Studies in normal volunteers and patients with diabetes demonstrated that HUMALOG has a more rapid onset of action and a shorter duration of activity than regular human insulin when given subcutaneously.

The time course of action of insulin and insulin analogs, such as HUMALOG, may vary considerably in different individuals or within the same individual. The parameters of HUMALOG activity (time of onset, peak time, and duration) as designated in Figure 1 should be considered only as general guidelines. The rate of insulin absorption, and consequently the onset of activity are known to be affected by the site of injection, exercise, and other variables [see Warnings and Precautions ].

Figure 1: Blood Glucose Levels After Subcutaneous Injection of Regular Human Insulin or HUMALOG (0.2 unit/kg) Immediately Before a High Carbohydrate Meal in 10 Patients with Type 1 Diabetesa.

a Baseline insulin concentration was maintained by infusion of 0.2 mU/min/kg human insulin.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption and Bioavailability — Studies in healthy volunteers and patients with diabetes demonstrated that HUMALOG is absorbed more quickly than regular human insulin. In healthy volunteers given subcutaneous doses of HUMALOG ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 unit/kg, peak serum levels were seen 30 to 90 minutes after dosing. When healthy volunteers received equivalent doses of regular human insulin, peak insulin levels occurred between 50 to 120 minutes after dosing. Similar results were seen in patients with type 1 diabetes (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Serum HUMALOG and Insulin Levels After Subcutaneous Injection of Regular Human Insulin or HUMALOG (0.2 unit/kg) Immediately Before a High Carbohydrate Meal in 10 Patients with Type 1 Diabetesa.

a Baseline insulin concentration was maintained by infusion of 0.2 mU/min/kg human insulin.

HUMALOG U-100 was absorbed at a consistently faster rate than regular human insulin in healthy male volunteers given 0.2 unit/kg at abdominal, deltoid, or femoral subcutaneous sites. After HUMALOG was administered in the abdomen, serum drug levels were higher and the duration of action was slightly shorter than after deltoid or thigh administration. Bioavailability of HUMALOG is similar to that of regular human insulin. The absolute bioavailability after subcutaneous injection ranges from 55% to 77% with doses between 0.1 to 0.2 unit/kg, inclusive.

The results of a study in healthy subjects demonstrated that HUMALOG U-200 is bioequivalent to HUMALOG U-100 following administration of a single 20 unit dose.

The mean observed area under the serum insulin concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity was 2360 pmol hr/L and 2390 pmol hr/L for HUMALOG U-200 and HUMALOG U-100, respectively. The corresponding mean peak serum insulin concentration was 795 pmol/L and 909 pmol/L for HUMALOG U-200 and HUMALOG U-100, respectively. The median time to maximum concentration was 1.0 hour for both formulations.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Standard 2-year carcinogenicity studies in animals have not been performed. In Fischer 344 rats, a 12-month repeat-dose toxicity study was conducted with insulin lispro at subcutaneous doses of 20 and 200 units/kg/day (approximately 3 and 32 times the human subcutaneous dose of 1 unit/kg/day, based on units/body surface area). Insulin lispro did not produce important target organ toxicity including mammary tumors at any dose.

Insulin lispro was not mutagenic in the following genetic toxicity assays: bacterial mutation, unscheduled DNA synthesis, mouse lymphoma, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays.

Male fertility was not compromised when male rats given subcutaneous insulin lispro injections of 5 and 20 units/kg/day (0.8 and 3 times the human subcutaneous dose of 1 unit/kg/day, based on units/body surface area) for 6 months were mated with untreated female rats. In a combined fertility, perinatal, and postnatal study in male and female rats given 1, 5, and 20 units/kg/day subcutaneously (0.2, 0.8, and 3 times the human subcutaneous dose of 1 unit/kg/day, based on units/body surface area), mating and fertility were not adversely affected in either gender at any dose.

Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

In standard biological assays in fasted rabbits, 0.2 unit/kg of insulin lispro injected subcutaneously had the same glucose-lowering effect and had a more rapid onset of action as 0.2 unit/kg of regular human insulin.

Type 1 Diabetes – Adults and Pediatric Patients Aged 12 years and Older

A 12-month, randomized, parallel, open-label, active-controlled study was conducted in patients with type 1 diabetes to assess the safety and efficacy of HUMALOG (n=81) compared with Humulin® R [insulin human injection (100 units/mL)] (n=86). HUMALOG was administered by subcutaneous injection immediately prior to meals and Humulin R was administered 30 to 45 minutes before meals. Humulin® U [ULTRALENTE® human insulin (rDNA origin) extended zinc suspension] was administered once or twice daily as the basal insulin. There was a 2- to 4-week run-in period with Humulin R and Humulin U before randomization. Most patients were Caucasian (97%). Forty-seven percent of the patients were male. The mean age was 31 years (range 12 to 70 years). Glycemic control, the total daily doses of HUMALOG and Humulin R, and the incidence of severe hypoglycemia (as determined by the number of events that were not self-treated) were similar in the two treatment groups. There were no episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis in either treatment group.

Type 1 Diabetes – Pediatric Patients

An 8-month, crossover study of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (n=463), aged 9 to 19 years, compared two subcutaneous multiple-dose treatment regimens: HUMALOG or Humulin R, both administered with Humulin N (NPH human insulin) as the basal insulin. HUMALOG achieved glycemic control comparable to Humulin R, as measured by HbA1c (see Table 6), and both treatment groups had a comparable incidence of hypoglycemia. In a 9-month, crossover study of pediatric patients (n=60) with type 1 diabetes, aged 3 to 11 years, HUMALOG administered immediately before meals, HUMALOG administered immediately after meals and Humulin R administered 30 minutes before meals resulted in similar glycemic control, as measured by HbA1c, and incidence of hypoglycemia, regardless of treatment group.

Type 1 Diabetes – Adults Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion

To evaluate the administration of HUMALOG U-100 via external insulin pumps, two open-label, crossover design studies were performed in patients with type 1 diabetes. One study involved 39 patients, ages 19 to 58 years, treated for 24 weeks with HUMALOG or regular human insulin. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean HbA1c values decreased from 7.8% to 7.2% in the HUMALOG-treated patients and from 7.8% to 7.5% in the regular human insulin-treated patients. Another study involved 60 patients (mean age 39, range 15 to 58 years) treated for 24 weeks with either HUMALOG or buffered regular human insulin. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean HbA1c values decreased from 7.7% to 7.4% in the HUMALOG-treated patients and remained unchanged from 7.7% in the buffered regular human insulin-treated patients. Rates of hypoglycemia were comparable between treatment groups in both studies.

Type 1 Diabetes – Pediatric Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion

A randomized, 16-week, open-label, parallel design, study of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (n=298) aged 4 to 18 years compared two subcutaneous infusion regimens administered via an external insulin pump: insulin aspart (n=198) or HUMALOG U-100 (n=100). These two treatments resulted in comparable changes from baseline in HbA1c and comparable rates of hypoglycemia after 16 weeks of treatment (see Table 7). Infusion site reactions were similar between groups.

Type 2 Diabetes – Adults

A 6-month randomized, crossover, open-label, active-controlled study was conducted in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes (n=722) to assess the safety and efficacy of HUMALOG for 3 months followed by Humulin R for 3 months or the reverse sequence. HUMALOG was administered by subcutaneous injection immediately before meals and Humulin R was administered 30 to 45 minutes before meals. Humulin® N [NPH human insulin (rDNA origin) isophane suspension] or Humulin U was administered once or twice daily as the basal insulin. All patients participated in a 2- to 4-week run-in period with Humulin R and Humulin N or Humulin U. Most of the patients were Caucasian (88%), and the numbers of men and women in each group were approximately equal. The mean age was 58.6 years (range 23.8 to 85 years). The average body mass index (BMI) was 28.2 kg/m2. During the study, the majority of patients used Humulin N (84%) compared with Humulin U (16%) as their basal insulin. The reductions from baseline in HbA1c and the incidence of severe hypoglycemia (as determined by the number of events that were not self-treated) were similar between the two treatments from the combined groups (see Table 8).