Being diagnosed with diabetes may bring mixed feelings. But accepting it is crucial to be in a position to start the treatment, for example, Humalog just prescribed by the doctor. Establish a close working relationship with the diabetes management team to aid in managing the condition better. Remember you are not alone; join an online support group with people with diabetes where you can share your achievements and disappointments. Furthermore, inform close family members that you have diabetes to be in a position to help in times of crisis.
Humalog (Insulin Lispro) Dosage
People with diabetes have high sugar levels in their blood stream since the pancreas is either not producing adequate insulin needed by the body or the body isn’t using insulin hormone released as expected; that’s why there is type 1 and type II diabetes. Thus, taking Humalog dosage lowers blood glucose levels. The dose prescribed is different from one patient to another. The medication dose is determined by a number of factors such as:
- The level of blood sugar
- Existing medical conditions
- Medications one is taking
- The extent of physical activity one engages in – are they strenuous or mild
- The number of meals taking in a day
Ensure you inform the medical practitioner on all the above, if necessary the physician may advise on the diet to follow and give tips to manage the condition. Below is an explanation of the uses of insulin Humalog dosage:
To treat type I diabetes – patients with this diabetes requires taking insulin injections throughout since the beta cells produce a minimal amount of insulin or none at all. The dose of this medication will be determined by an individual’s needs; however, daily insulin required ranges between 0.5 to 1 unit /kg/ day. The drug injections should be given 15 minutes prior a meal or right after a meal. Insulin taken will be matched on carbs taken, blood glucose before a meal as well as planned physical activity.
To manage type II diabetes – people with this type of diabetes are insulin resistant – the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or it’s not utilized as required. Just like in the case of insulin-dependent diabetes, one receives an individualized Humalog dose depending on the factors listed previously. The injection is given 15 minutes before food consumption or immediately after eating to regulate the rise of blood sugar levels that one may experience after food intake. The drug may be used together with intermediate or long-acting insulin.
To treat diabetic ketoacidosis – it’s a severe complication that arises after the body produces elevated levels of blood acids known as ketones due to inadequate insulin. The condition is an emergency, which requires immediate medical attention. The patient is given fluids orally or through the veins to replace the fluids lost due to too much urination and to dilute excess glucose in the blood. One to two hours later after starting the fluid therapy, rapid-acting insulin like this particular medication is given to rescue the situation; however, the doctor may decide to administer insulin dose intravenously for it to act faster. When the blood sugar level is below 240mg/dL and the blood isn’t acidic anymore, the physician puts you back on the usual Humalog therapy; you won’t receive the medication through the veins. Finally, electrolyte replacement is carried out to restore minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride to continue with their role of carrying electronic charge in the blood.
What to Consider Before Using the Drug
- If you have existing allergies or allergic to insulin or having episodes of low glucose levels, you shouldn’t use this medicine
- It’s not advisable to use the drug on a child under three years; avoid giving this medication to manage type II diabetes in a child regardless of age, unless the doctor advises contrary
- To ensure you don’t experience severe side effects of Humalog, inform the doctor if you have liver or kidney disease or low potassium levels in the blood
- If taking oral diabetes medications for type II diabetes, such as Pioglitazone or Metformin, inform the health care practitioner since you may be at risk of severe heart problems
- If you pregnant or breastfeeding, adhere to doses given. In pregnancy, insulin needs will be different each trimester and once you start breastfeeding
How to Use Humalog
- Follow the drug dosage guidelines given by the health care provider; don’t take the medicine in smaller or larger amounts than recommended.
- A health professional will train you to self-administer the injection at home, but give the shots only if you comprehend the injection procedure as well as how to discard the materials used. You may request the nurse or the doctor to give handouts or recorded videos on how to give the shots to refer to frequently
- Bear in mind Humalog role is to aid in controlling sugar levels after food consumption, so take it 15 minutes before or right after food consumption
- If you opt for an insulin pump, don’t mix or dilute Humalog with different types of insulin, remember to change the reservoir after every 7 days
- If using concentrated Humalog such as 200 units/ml do not inject into a vein, but it’s advisable to use an insulin pump
- This medication comes with a kwikpen, only use this particular pen, but not any other and use a new needle every time you self-administer the shot. Never transfer insulin from the pen into an infusion pump or syringe
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can affect anyone with diabetes, be on the lookout for symptoms like a headache, hunger, sweating, dizziness, nausea and fast heart rate. Keep with you fruit juice, crackers, hard candy and non-diet soda to deal with low glucose levels quickly
- If one is at risk of severe low blood sugar, the physician may prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to help if such a case arises and one can’t eat or drink. Ensure close relatives know how to use the kit during an emergency
- For this medication to be effective, follow the meals as directed, exercise and monitor the blood sugar levels as guided. If under stress or having an infection, inform the medical care provider as the dose may need to be altered
- Store the drug in its original container away from light and heat. Keep it in the refrigerator but away from the freezer and don’t use frozen insulin, instead discard it
In Conclusion
From the above information, it is clear there isn’t a specific maximum Humalog dosage one must take to effectively keep the blood glucose levels at the expected range. Some patients who are sensitive to insulin may require minimal doses, whereas others who are insulin resistant may need larger doses. The medical practitioner will determine the best dosage for you to maintain the blood sugar levels within the normal range most of the time. It’s vital to frequently check and record the glucose levels all the time and report the findings to the doctor, if need be, he or she will adjust the drug dose to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia.
Doctor’s Recommendation
Diabetes is typically characterized by the production of large amounts of insulin, but the insulin receptors on cells are not adequately responsive to this insulin, which is needed to move glucose from the blood into the cells. In the later stages of the disease, the beta cells that produce insulin may die or become inactive, significantly reducing insulin production. Over time, the patient may become insulin-dependent.
Treating diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) does not involve using rapid-acting insulin; rather, regular insulin is preferred. The decision to stop IV glucose administration is based not only on glucose levels falling below 240 mg/dl but also on the normalization of the anion gap, the absence of ketones, and the patient’s ability to eat comfortably. Treatment involves a complex algorithm that includes aggressive rehydration with normal saline, transitioning to half-normal saline once sodium levels normalize, and administering regular insulin along with potassium to prevent dangerously low potassium levels due to insulin administration. This brief overview covers only some aspects of DKA treatment, warranting a separate, detailed article on the topic.
—
