Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen

Insulin is a hormone that helps to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels. Insulin lispro is a fast-acting insulin. Insulin lispro protamine is an intermediate-acting insulin. This combination insulin starts working within 10 to 20 minutes after injection, reaches its highest effect in 2 hours, and continues to work for up to 24 hours.

Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen is a combination medicine that helps adults with diabetes mellitus manage their blood sugar levels. Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen can be used for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to insulin lispro, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or
• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes found in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications for both the mother and the baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an insulin allergy: redness or swelling at the injection site, itchy skin rash all over your body, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• fluid retention—weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet, feeling short of breath; or
• low potassium—leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or a limp feeling.

Common side effects of Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen may include:

• low blood sugar;
• itching, mild skin rash; or
• thickening or hollowing of the skin at the injection site.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Insulin is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Do not inject Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen into a vein.

Use this medication within 15 minutes before eating a meal.

If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject this insulin. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Do not inject this medicine into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Insulin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen:

• Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or
• Store at room temperature and use the vial within 28 days or use the injection pen within 10 days.

Storing opened (in use) Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen:

• Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use within 28 days.
• Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 10 days. Do not store the injection pen with a needle attached.

This medicine should look cloudy. Do not use the medicine if it looks clear or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you have diabetes.

Since Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen is taken before meals, you might not have a fixed schedule for taking it. Whenever you use the medicine, make sure to eat a meal within 15 minutes. Do not use two doses at the same time.

Always keep insulin available. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much insulin can lead to severe low blood sugar. Symptoms include feeling very sleepy, confusion, blurry vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, difficulty speaking, weak muscles, unsteady or jerky movements, seizures (convulsions), or passing out.

Insulin can cause low blood sugar. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

To prevent medication mistakes, always check the medicine label before injecting your insulin.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar and may disrupt your diabetes treatment.

Many other medicines can change your blood sugar levels, and some can make insulin work better or worse. Some medications can also reduce the signs of hypoglycemia, making it harder for you to notice when your blood sugar is low. Inform all your health care providers about every medicine you are currently taking and any new medicine you begin or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Are Humulin and Humalog the same thing?