Is There a Humalog Generic? 5 Facts to Know about Admelog and Insulin Lispro

The first insulin biosimilars — insulins that are highly similar to an original insulin product — were approved in 2021. Similar to generics, biosimilars are lower-cost alternatives that can help you save money on your prescription. But did you know that there were lower-cost versions of common insulins before biosimilars came to market? These are known as “follow-on” insulins.

In 2017, the FDA approved Admelog (insulin lispro), the first fast-acting follow-on insulin. It’s a lower-cost “copy” of Humalog, a brand-name fast-acting insulin. Two years later, Humalog’s manufacturer launched an unbranded version called Insulin Lispro, also at a reduced cost. 

Because of how it’s regulated, Humalog doesn’t technically have a generic. But Admelog and Insulin Lispro are two lower-cost options to consider. So, how do these two Humalog alternatives compare? Below are five points to consider.

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1. Admelog isn’t a Humalog generic or biosimilar, but it can provide similar benefits

Insulins are considered biologics, which are complex medications that come from living cells instead of chemicals. They’re more difficult to make, so exact copies aren’t possible. This is why biologics have biosimilars, not generics. Biosimilars are highly similar to an original (reference) biologic.

However, insulins weren’t always considered biologics. In fact, many insulins were approved through the same pathway as chemical-based medications, such as blood pressure and allergy pills. And, until recently, they were called follow-on insulins instead of biosimilars. These are “copies” of brand-name insulins.

That brings us to Admelog — the first fast-acting follow-on insulin. Similar to generics, Admelog didn’t go through the full FDA-approval process. Instead, it went through an abbreviated pathway that relied on both Humalog and Admelog data to support its approval.

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Studies show that Admelog works just as well as Humalog in people with Type 1 diabetes, as well as people with Type 2 diabetes. Side effects were also similar between insulins.

2. Admelog and Insulin Lispro have different injection pen options

Both Admelog and Insulin Lispro are available in multi-dose vials. They’re also available in injection pens, but there are a few differences you may want to consider.

Insulin Lispro is available in a KwikPen and Junior KwikPen. Each pen contains 100 units of insulin per mL. And you can inject up to 60 units of insulin per dose. The Junior KwikPen is a lighter and shorter insulin pen that can deliver half-unit doses, which can be a good fit for children and older adults.

Admelog is only available as a SoloStar pen. Each pen contains 100 units of insulin per mL. You can inject up to 80 units of insulin per dose, which is more than the Insulin Lispro pens. People with hand dexterity issues and those requiring higher insulin doses may prefer using the SoloStar pen.

But if you stick with brand-name Humalog, you have a few more options. In addition to the vial, KwikPen, and Junior KwikPen, Humalog is available as a Tempo Pen — a type of smart insulin pen. It’s also available as a more concentrated U-200 KwikPen. This means each pen contains 200 units of insulin per mL.

3. Insulin Lispro is the same product as Humalog, but without the brand name

A manufacturer will sometimes make both brand-name and unbranded versions of a medication. In this case, the unbranded product is the same as the brand-name product — but without the brand name on the label. With chemical-based medications, this is called an authorized generic. A similar concept applies to biologics.

Humalog’s manufacturer makes brand-name Humalog and unbranded (or non-branded) Humalog, called Insulin Lispro. Both products are the same, with the exception of a few injection pen options as covered above.

One of the main differences between Humalog and Insulin Lispro is the price. When it was first launched, Insulin Lispro’s list price was 50% less than Humalog. After that, the price was lowered by an additional 40%.

4. Admelog and Insulin Lispro can help you save money on your insulin prescription

Both Admelog and Insulin Lispro are lower-cost Humalog alternatives. With GoodRx, you could pay as little as $198.37 for five Admelog SoloStar pens. And five Insulin Lispro KwikPens cost as low as $162.25 at certain pharmacies.

Insulin Lispro’s manufacturer has also capped the price of the vial at $35. And if you have commercial insurance, or if you’re uninsured, you could access Humalog and other Insulin Lispro insulins for as little as $35 through the Lilly Insulin Value Program. A patient assistance program also exists, if you’re eligible.

A similar savings program is available through Admelog’s manufacturer. If you have commercial insurance, you could pay as little as $35 for Admelog. A patient assistance program is also available to access Admelog at no cost, if you’re eligible.

5. If you want to switch to Admelog or Insulin Lispro, you’ll typically need a new prescription

Some biosimilars are considered interchangeable with their reference biologic. In this case, your pharmacist can substitute them more easily. This is similar to how they might swap a generic for the brand-name medication. 

However, Admelog isn’t considered a biosimilar or interchangeable with Humalog. If you want to switch from Humalog to Admelog, your healthcare provider will need to write a new prescription. You may also need a new prescription for Insulin Lispro, even though it’s the same insulin as Humalog.

If you’re interested in switching from Humalog to Admelog or Insulin Lispro, talk to your provider or pharmacist.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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