Humalog vs. Novolin 70/30 for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Humalog

(insulin lispro)

Novolin 70/30

Summary for Humalog

Prescription only

Humalog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It helps prevent and treat high blood sugar from meals. This medication lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar from your blood and into your body. Humalog (insulin lispro) is typically given as an injection under the skin. In certain situations, it's injected into the veins by a healthcare provider. Humalog (insulin lispro) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Indications for Humalog

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Humalog

Pros

Starts to work within 15 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
Dose can be easily adjusted to make a treatment plan that's tailored to your specific needs
Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use
Can use at home after proper training
Can use in children as young as 3 years old with Type 1 diabetes

Cons

Given multiple times a day (before each meal)
Must give as an injection
Might be hard for some people to take properly
Risk of low blood sugar
Can cause weight gain

Common Side Effects for Humalog

Type 1 diabetes:

Flu-like symptoms (35%)
Sore throat (33%)
Runny nose (25%)
Headache (30%)
Pain (20%)
Cough (17%)
Infection (14%)

Type 2 diabetes:

Headache (12%)
Pain (11%)
Infection (10%)

Warnings for Humalog

Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

Summary for Novolin 70/30

Prescription or over-the-counter

Novolin 70/30, or Novolin 70/30 ReliOn, is a mixture of two types of insulin: 70% insulin NPH (or "isophane insulin") and 30% insulin regular. It's used to help control blood sugar levels in adults and children with diabetes. The medication comes in vials and prefilled pens (called Novolin 70/30 FlexPen). It's injected under the skin about 30 minutes before a meal. Possible side effects include reactions at the injection site and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Novolin 70/30 is available by prescription and over the counter (OTC), but there's no generic yet.

Indications for Novolin 70/30

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Novolin 70/30

Pros

Helps manage blood sugar from meals and control blood sugar throughout the day
Can use for children with Type 1 diabetes
Available as a FlexPen that helps make injections easier
Available by prescription or over the counter

Cons

Can't customize the dose of each type of insulin in Novolin 70/30
Must be comfortable giving yourself injections under the skin
Can cause low blood sugar and weight gain
Must check your blood sugar regularly

Common Side Effects for Novolin 70/30

Low blood sugar
Reactions where the medication is injected (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)

Warnings for Novolin 70/30

Risk of infections from sharing injection supplies
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications