Humalog® Insulin Lispro Cartridges for Diabetes

Humalog® insulin lispro cartridges deliver rapid-acting mealtime insulin for diabetes management. CanadianInsulin offers Canadian pricing and ships from Canada to the US, with US delivery from Canada that can help lower out-of-pocket costs without insurance. These 3 mL cartridges work with compatible reusable insulin pens for flexible dosing.

What Humalog® Is and How It Works

Humalog® is a rapid-acting insulin analog (insulin lispro U-100) used to improve glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It begins lowering blood glucose about 15 minutes after injection, reaches peak effect near 1 hour, and generally lasts 2 to 5 hours. It is commonly used to cover meal carbohydrates and to correct high readings as part of a basal-bolus plan.

Orders are shipped from Canada to the US after verification. CanadianInsulin is a prescription referral service. We verify your prescription with your clinic, and licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense your order.

This cartridge format is designed for subcutaneous injection with a compatible reusable pen. Cartridges are not for insulin pumps or intravenous use.

Insulin lispro binds insulin receptors to promote glucose uptake in muscle and fat and reduce hepatic glucose output. Its rapid onset allows dosing at the start of a meal or up to 15 minutes before eating. Many treatment plans combine Humalog with a long-acting basal insulin; requirements can change when therapies such as GLP-1 or SGLT2 agents are added or adjusted.

Who Humalog® Is For

Humalog cartridges are indicated for adults and pediatric patients who need rapid-acting insulin for meals and correction dosing in type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They are not appropriate during episodes of hypoglycemia or for individuals with known hypersensitivity to insulin lispro or any component of the formulation.

Use with caution in renal or hepatic impairment. Cartridges are not for pump reservoirs and must not be mixed with other insulins inside the pen.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing is individualized. A clinician will guide carbohydrate coverage and correction factors. Typical timing is within 15 minutes before a meal or immediately after starting a meal. Inject subcutaneously into recommended areas (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or buttock) and rotate sites to reduce lipodystrophy. Follow the pen’s instructions for priming and dose selection.

Humalog is often paired with a basal insulin given once or twice daily. If mixing with NPH is prescribed, this is done with vials and syringes, not with cartridges or pens. When mixing with NPH using vials, draw insulin lispro into the syringe first and inject immediately per labeling.

Strengths and Forms

Commonly supplied presentation:

• Insulin lispro 100 units/mL (U-100) in 3 mL cartridges, typically packaged in boxes of five. Availability may vary.

For other mealtime options, browse related Insulin Cartridges.

Missed Dose and Timing

For mealtime coverage, if a dose was missed at meal start, inject as soon as remembered while eating or shortly after. If significant time has passed since the meal ended, follow the care plan provided by the clinician. Do not double a dose to make up for a missed one. Monitor blood glucose more frequently after a missed or delayed dose.

Storage and Travel Basics

Unopened cartridges: Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Keep in the original carton to protect from light.

In-use cartridges: Keep at room temperature, below 30°C (86°F). Protect from heat and light. Discard 28 days after first use, even if insulin remains. Do not freeze.

Travel basics: Keep insulin with you in a carry-on, not in checked luggage. Use an insulated pouch with cold packs to avoid temperature extremes, and avoid placing insulin next to ice or heat sources. Carry a spare pen, needles, and backup cartridges.

To maintain quality in transit, CanadianInsulin uses prompt, express, cold-chain shipping for temperature-sensitive medicines.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

• Inspect the cartridge before use. Do not use if insulin is cloudy, colored, or contains particles.
• Insert the cartridge into a compatible reusable pen per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Attach a new sterile pen needle for each injection. Do not share pens or cartridges.
• Prime the pen as directed until a drop of insulin appears, ensuring accurate dosing.
• Select the prescribed dose, inject into recommended sites, and hold the needle in place for the time specified by the pen instructions.
• Remove the needle after each injection and place it in an FDA-cleared sharps container. Follow local regulations for sharps disposal.

For a quick overview of cartridge formats and how they work, see Insulin Cartridges Types.

Benefits

• Rapid-acting mealtime control that aligns closely with food intake.
• Flexible timing at the start of a meal or shortly before.
• Cartridge convenience with reusable pens, reducing plastic waste compared with some disposables.
• Fine dose increments depending on the pen model, supporting individualized care plans.
• Widely used as part of basal-bolus regimens for comprehensive control.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: hypoglycemia, injection site redness or irritation, itching, rash, mild swelling, headache, and weight gain.
• Local skin changes: lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis at injection sites, especially without site rotation.

Serious risks can include severe hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, and systemic allergic reactions. Fluid retention may occur, particularly when used with thiazolidinediones. The risk of hypoglycemia increases with missed meals, increased activity, dosing errors, alcohol use, or when used with sulfonylureas. Seek medical attention for severe or persistent adverse effects.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Medicines that may increase the glucose-lowering effect (raising hypoglycemia risk) include other antidiabetics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, salicylates, certain antidepressants (MAOIs, SSRIs), and alcohol. Medicines that may reduce the effect include corticosteroids, some diuretics, oral contraceptives, thyroid hormones, and sympathomimetics. Beta-blockers and other agents can blunt the adrenergic symptoms of hypoglycemia. Thiazolidinediones (such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone) used with insulin may increase risk of edema and heart failure; monitor as directed. Monitor potassium when risk factors for hypokalemia are present.

What to Expect Over Time

Humalog acts quickly, with effects seen within minutes of injection and a short duration of action. Over days to weeks, clinicians may adjust mealtime and basal doses based on glucose logs, meals, and activity. Consistency with injection technique, timing, and site rotation supports more predictable glucose results.

Compare With Alternatives

Other rapid-acting insulin cartridges may be appropriate depending on clinical goals. Insulin aspart in the Novorapid® Cartridge offers a comparable mealtime option. Faster aspart in Fiasp® Cartridges is formulated for an earlier onset in some patients. Premixed choices such as Humalog Mix 50/50 cartridges may be considered when a fixed ratio of basal and bolus insulin is prescribed.

Pricing and Access

See the Humalog cartridge price on this page and compare cost with Canadian pricing. Many patients find meaningful cash-pay savings versus typical local pharmacy costs. Orders are placed online and shipped from Canada with US delivery from Canada. For budget guidance, read Humalog Insulin Price. To view current offers, visit our Promotions page.

Availability and Substitutions

Availability may vary by dispensing pharmacy. If a particular presentation is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend a clinically appropriate alternative. Patients who prefer vials and syringes can review the Humalog® Vial option. Do not substitute or switch insulin products without guidance from the prescribing clinician.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

Cartridges suit patients who prefer reusable pens, need fine dosing, and are not using an insulin pump. Those with recurrent severe hypoglycemia, frequent dosing errors, or difficulty with pen handling may need additional training or an alternate format.

• Ask the prescriber about multi-month supplies to reduce per-unit cost and fewer refills.
• Set refill reminders so therapy remains continuous and consistent.
• Consider our Bulk Savings options when available.
• Keep a spare pen and backup cartridges to avoid missed doses.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• What mealtime timing and dose algorithm should be used for insulin lispro?
• How should the plan adjust for exercise or sick days?
• Which pen needle length and gauge fit the injection technique?
• Is mixing with NPH appropriate, and if so, how should that be handled with vials?
• What glucose targets and correction factors are recommended?
• How often should doses be reviewed and updated?

Authoritative Sources

• Humalog US Prescribing Information (Eli Lilly)
• FDA DailyMed: Humalog Labeling
• Health Canada Drug Product Database

Start your prescription order for Humalog cartridges with US delivery from Canada.