Admelog
Admelog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin. It helps control blood sugar levels in adults and children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Admelog (insulin lispro) is very similar to Humalog (insulin lispro) and is known as a "follow-on" insulin to Humalog. This medication is given under the skin, either as an injection or as an infusion with an insulin pump. It's available in a vial (Admelog) or a pre-filled pen (Admelog SoloStar). The most common side effect is low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
What is Admelog (insulin lispro)?
What is Admelog (insulin lispro) used for?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 3 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2) in adults
How Admelog (insulin lispro) works
Admelog (insulin lispro) is an insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone your body makes to control blood sugar levels. It helps your body absorb and store sugar from the bloodstream after a meal. Insulin also stops your liver from making glucose (sugar). But people with diabetes can't make insulin, don't make enough insulin, or their body doesn't respond to insulin as it should.
Admelog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin. It's injected with or shortly after a meal to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It can also be used with the appropriate insulin infusion pump.
Drug Facts
More on Admelog (insulin lispro) essentials
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What are the side effects of Admelog (insulin lispro)?
Common Side Effects
- Low blood sugar
Other Side Effects
- Weight gain
- Injection site reactions (e.g., swelling, pain, redness)
- Rash
- Itchiness
- Lumps in the skin or thickened skin where the medication is injected
- Swelling (edema)
- Allergic reactions
- Common cold
- Upper respiratory tract infection
Serious Side Effects
- Severely low blood sugar: dizziness, shakiness, feeling confused, feeling irritable or anxious, feeling faint, sweating, extreme hunger, not able to think clearly
- Ketoacidosis (high ketone levels in the blood): nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, feeling very thirsty, dry mouth, fruity breath, trouble breathing
- Severely low potassium levels: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, abnormal heartbeat, tiredness, trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reactions: rash; hives; swelling of face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
- Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Lipodystrophy—hardening or scarring of tissue at injection site
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Weight gain
Pros and cons of Admelog (insulin lispro)
Pros
Starts to work within 15 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
Available as a prefilled pen, which can be easier to use than the vial
Can be used in a continuous insulin pump
Dose can be easily adjusted
Cons
Must be given with every meal, if using as meal time insulin
Might be difficult for some people to administer correctly
Higher risk of low blood sugar if not used properly or if the dose is too high
Might cause weight gain
Pharmacist tips for Admelog (insulin lispro)
Your prescriber or pharmacist should train you on how to use Admelog (insulin lispro). Make sure you know how to use the medication to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Read the Instructions for Use for the vials or pens that comes with the medication and contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If you're prescribed other types of insulin and Admelog (insulin lispro), ask your endocrinologist or pharmacist about the best way to take your insulins. You might need to take each insulin medication at different times of the day. Don't mix other types of insulins with Admelog (insulin lispro).
Admelog (insulin lispro) is meant to quickly lower blood sugar from food. Don't use Admelog (insulin lispro) if you plan to skip a meal unless your prescriber specifically told you to do so. Using Admelog (insulin lispro) without a meal raises your risk for hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening.
Ask your prescriber how often you should check your blood sugar levels during the day as you use Admelog (insulin lispro). Make sure to keep a log of your blood sugar readings and share it with your prescriber at your office visits. This helps keep track of how well you're responding to the medication and whether you need dose adjustments.
Make sure you and your family members know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar levels, like shakiness, anxiety, and hunger. Keep fast-acting sugar, such as glucose tablets, with you at all times so you can take it if your blood sugar level drops too low. Follow the "15-15 rule" to treat low blood sugar levels (below 70 mg/dL).
Store unopened vials and pens in the refrigerator until the expiration date. You can also keep them at room temperature for up to 28 days. Store opened vials in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Keep opened pens at room temperature for up to 28 days; don't put them in the refrigerator.
Tips on how to use Admelog (insulin lispro):
If you're using the Admelog (insulin lispro) pen, prime it each time before you inject the medication. This prepares the pen for your dose by getting rid of air bubbles to make sure your dose is accurate. Follow your pen's instructions to prime it properly.
For under-the-skin injections: Inject Admelog (insulin lispro) within 15 minutes before a meal or right after a meal. Inject the medication under the skin in the stomach area, buttocks, upper legs (thighs), or upper arms. Choose a different injection site each time to prevent hard lumps from forming in your skin.
For continuous infusion pumps: Be sure to infuse into an area of the body recommended by the manufacturer of the pump. Rotate injection sites to prevent skin irritation. Change the medication in the pump at least once per week or according to the user manual, whichever is shorter. Also replace any Admelog (insulin lispro) in the pump that's been exposed to temperatures above 98.6°F.
Always use a new needle for each Admelog (insulin lispro) injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles. Don't reuse or share your injection supplies with other people to avoid spreading infections.
After injecting Admelog (insulin lispro), throw the needle or syringe away in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic (e.g., empty milk carton, laundry detergent bottle). This helps lower the risk of needle-stick injuries. Don't throw away needles or syringes in your trash can. Visit the FDA's website for guidance on how to throw away your sharps container safely in your specific state.
Frequently asked questions about Admelog (insulin lispro)
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What are the risks and warnings for Admelog (insulin lispro)?
Admelog (insulin lispro) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Never share Admelog (insulin lispro) pens, syringes, needles, or cartridges with anyone else. Sharing Admelog (insulin lispro) and injection supplies with someone can raise the risk of spreading very dangerous infections to other people (including yourself).
Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Switching to Admelog (insulin lispro) from a different type of insulin | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Admelog (insulin lispro) | Liver or kidney problems
Changing your insulin or insulin routine, such as where you inject Admelog (insulin lispro) or switching to a different brand of insulin aspart, can affect how your body responds to insulin. This can lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. In addition, injecting Admelog (insulin lispro) repeatedly into skin areas that shows signs of lipodystrophy, such as pitting or thickened skin, can also result in high blood sugar levels.
Don't make changes to your Admelog (insulin lispro) dose or routine without first checking in with your diabetes care team. Make sure to avoid injecting into skin areas that show signs of lipodystrophy. If your care team instructs you to make any changes to your insulin routine, they'll also ask you to check your blood sugar levels more often to see how the changes affect your blood sugar levels.
Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Admelog (insulin lispro) | Liver or kidney problems | Not using Admelog (insulin lispro) as directed
Using Admelog (insulin lispro) alone or together with other medications that lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar levels. If not treated in time, it can be life-threatening.
Check your blood sugar level regularly to make sure it's within a safe range. If your diabetes care team instructs you to mix different insulins together, read the label of the insulins carefully to make sure you're using the right products. If you make any changes to your diet or meal patterns, other medications, or how much you exercise, let your care team know because they might need to adjust your dose of Admelog (insulin lispro).
Make sure you're familiar with symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, sweating or body chills, and excessive hunger. Keep fast-acting sugars, such as glucose tablets, with you at all times so you can treat an episode of hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar levels don't improve even after you take fast-acting sugars, get medical help right away.
Allergic reaction
Rarely, Admelog (insulin lispro) can cause an allergic reaction. Get medical help right away if you experience trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a rash.
Low blood potassium levels
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower potassium levels
Admelog (insulin lispro) can lower the levels of potassium in your blood, which can sometimes be dangerous. You're at risk if you're already taking medications that lower your potassium, like certain diuretics (water pills). Your prescriber will check your potassium levels regularly and might give you medications to keep your potassium in the normal range. Tell your prescriber if you have symptoms of low potassium, such as weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, nausea, vomiting, or abnormal heartbeats.
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure
Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with Admelog (insulin lispro) | History of heart failure
Taking Admelog (insulin lispro) with medications called glitazones (also known as thiazolidinediones), like pioglitazone (Actos), can cause your body to hold onto fluid. This can worsen or lead to heart failure. Let your prescriber know if you've noticed sudden weight gain or if you have symptoms of heart failure, such as trouble breathing, tiredness, or headache. They might need to make changes to your blood sugar medications.
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)
Risk factors: Insulin pump not working properly
If you're using an insulin pump to inject Admelog (insulin lispro), check that your pump is working properly and that you know how to use it correctly. When the pump isn't working properly, you're at risk of having extremely high blood sugar levels or a serious complication of diabetes called ketoacidosis. Call your prescriber right away if you can't fix your pump quickly. Your prescriber might recommend that you inject Admelog (insulin lispro) in other ways in the meantime. Seek medical help if you have symptoms of ketoacidosis, such as tiredness, fruity-smelling breath, or vomiting.
Admelog (insulin lispro) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Admelog (insulin lispro)
The dose of Admelog (insulin lispro) will be different for each person. The dose depends on whether you're using it for Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, your weight, how well you respond to insulin, your blood sugar levels, and if you're administering the medication through an injection or through a continuous insulin pump. Your prescriber will determine the dose that works best for you.
For injections under the skin: Inject Admelog (insulin lispro) under the skin in the stomach, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks within 15 minutes before a meal or right after a meal.
For continuous insulin pumps: Use the insulin pump according to your prescriber's instructions. Follow the directions from your insulin pump manufacturer to set up and use the pump.
For injections through the vein: Admelog (insulin lispro) can be given as an injection into the vein by a healthcare professional. The dose depends on the type of diabetes you have and your weight.
How much does Admelog (insulin lispro) cost?
Admelog (insulin lispro) contraindications
Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
What are alternatives to Admelog (insulin lispro)?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 3 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2) in adults
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 2 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults
What is the latest news about Admelog (insulin lispro)?
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Insulin pumps: Relief and choice.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Eli Lilly and Company. (2023). Humalog- insulin lispro injection, solution; Humalog Kwikpen- insulin lispro injection, solution; Humalog Junior Kwikpen- insulin lispro injection, solution; Humalog Tempo Pen- insulin lispro injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC. (2023). Admelog- insulin lispro injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Sharabi, K., et al. (2015). Molecular pathophysiology of hepatic glucose production. Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). FDA approves Admelog, the first short-acting "follow-on" insulin product to treat diabetes.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Safely using sharps (needles and syringes) at home, at work and on travel.
Veltri, K.T., et al. (2015). Medication-Induced Hypokalemia. Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
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