Research

News from the American Diabetes Association

Reprinted with permission from MONITOR, vol.2 no.1
Publication of the American Diabetes Association
Florida Affiliate, Inc.
Southeast Region

What is this new type of insulin that I have heard about?

Recently you may have heard or read news about a fast-acting form of insulin made by Eli Lilly and Company. This new form of insulin, called Humalog, is designed to mimic the body's natural rapid insulin output in response to eating a meal - faster in and faster out of the body. Humalog is insulin in which two small proteins have been reversed. Humalog may be appropriate for both people with type I diabetes (insulin-dependent) and those with type II diabetes (non-insulin dependent) who use insulin.

How does this new product differ from other insulin products already on the market?

Humalog is much faster acting than regular insulin. It can be absorbed into the bloodstream in less than half the time of regular human insulin.

What does it mean to have this new product available?

For people with diabetes who use insulin, this new product is convenient because it is designed for injection immediately before a meal, making pre-planning easier and lifestyle adaptation less of an issue.

Does Humalog have any side effects?

The major side effect of using any insulin product is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). In global clinical trials, the number of patients using Humalog who reported side effects was not statistically different between Humalog users and users of regular human insulin.

What should I do if I am interested in trying Humalog? Will I have any difficulty switching?

All patients should consult with their health care providers to discuss the appropriateness for them of this nc\v form of insulin. In some clinical trials, most patients who used Humalog chose to continue using it because of its ease of use, predictability and flexibility compared to regular human insulin.