How to Use the Humalog Junior KwikPen: Instructions and General Guide

If you’re one of the 7.4 million Americans using insulin, or if you use other injectable medications to treat your diabetes, you might have questions about what type of injectable dose pen is best for you. But should you consider the Humalog Junior KwikPen?

With its bright orange packaging and child-like writing, you may be wondering if this insulin pen is just for kids. Let’s discuss what makes the Humalog Junior KwikPen different.

What is the difference between the Humalog KwikPen and the Humalog Junior KwikPen?

The Humalog KwikPen and the Humalog Junior KwikPen are both disposable insulin pens containing the same active ingredient: insulin lispro. Insulin lispro is a fast-acting insulin. But, there are a few key differences between these two pens. The main difference is that the Junior version measures the insulin dose differently and gives a lower maximum dose than the Humalog KwikPen.

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The Humalog Junior KwikPen comes only as a pen containing 100 units per mL (also called U-100). It measures the insulin dose in half-units and can give a maximum of 30 units per injection.

The Humalog KwikPen comes in two options: U-100 and U-200. U-200 is a concentrated strength of insulin that contains 200 units per mL. Both strengths of the Humalog Kwikpen measure the insulin dose in whole units and can give a maximum of 60 units per injection.

Here’s a quick comparison between the types of Humalog Kwikpens:

Who is the Humalog Junior KwikPen recommended for?

Although it has “Junior” in its name, both children and adults can use the Humalog Junior KwikPen.

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Because of its half-unit dosing, the Humalog Junior KwikPen is recommended for people using low doses of insulin. It’s also recommended for those who are sensitive to insulin and need a more precise dose. This can be common for children and older adults with diabetes. Even small changes in dose, like rounding up to the nearest whole unit, can put some people at risk for hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).

But, keep in mind that the Humalog Junior KwikPen may not be a good choice if you’re using large doses of insulin. Remember that the Junior pen can only inject up to 30 units at a time. If you’re injecting more than 30 units at a time, you’d need to give yourself more than one injection with the Junior KwikPen. Ouch!

How to use the Humalog Junior Kwikpen

Your Humalog Junior KwikPen will have the same instructions as the Humalog U-100 and Humalog U-200 KwikPens. Here’s a list of 15 easy-to-follow steps that you can use for any of these KwikPens.

Before you get started, wash your hands and gather your supplies. You’ll need your KwikPen, a new pen needle, an alcohol swab, and a cotton ball (optional).

1. Pull the cap off your KwikPen and wipe the rubber end with an alcohol swab.

2. Check the liquid inside your pen. It should be clear and colorless.

Now it’s time to add the needle:

3. Peel off the paper tab from your pen needle. Keep the cap on the needle for now.

4. Push the capped needle into the rubber end of the pen and twist until it’s tight.

5. Pull off both the needle cap and the needle shield to fully expose the needle. Save the needle cap. You’ll need it later.

Next, you’ll prime your KwikPen (remove the air from the pen):

6. Turn the dose knob to 2 units. On the Junior KwikPen, whole units are shown as numbers, and half-units are shown as lines between the numbers.

7. Hold your pen with the needle pointing towards the ceiling and gently tap it to move any air bubbles to the tip.

8. Push the dose knob all the way in, and hold it for 5 seconds. The dose counter should now show “0” and you should see some drops of insulin coming out of the needle.

Now you’re ready to inject your insulin dose:

9. Turn the dose knob to the number of units you need to inject.

10. Wipe your injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry. You can choose to inject in the stomach area, buttocks, upper legs, or upper arms.

11. Insert the needle into your skin, and push the dose knob all the way in. Wait 5 seconds, then take the needle out of your skin.

12. Check that the dose counter now shows 0. You can gently dab any bleeding at the injection site with a cotton ball or alcohol swab.

And you’re done! Now it's time to take off the needle and recap your KwikPen:

13. Carefully put the needle cap (NOT the needle shield) back on the needle.

14. Unscrew the capped needle to remove it from your pen. Dispose of the used needle in a sharps container.

15. Put the cap back on your KwikPen.

Other helpful tips

Here are some other helpful pharmacist tips to keep in mind when you are using your Humalog Junior KwikPen:

Handling tips

Don’t shake your pen. Gently tapping or rolling your pen during priming is fine. If you still see a few small air bubbles left in the pen after priming, that’s OK. Small air bubbles are normal and won’t affect your dose.

Storage tips

Never store your pen with the needle on it. Leaving the needle on allows insulin to leak out and lets air in. You don’t need to refrigerate the pen you are using. You can store it at room temperature. Just be sure to replace it 28 days after your first dose, even if there is still insulin left in the pen.

Keep the other pens that you’re not using in the refrigerator to ensure that they stay good until their expiration date. Your Humalog Junior KwikPen usually comes as a pack of five pens.

Safety tips

Never share your insulin pen with another person, even if you use a new needle. Also, avoid injecting into the same place over and over. This can cause pain, bruising, and over time may cause lipohypertrophy. Lipohypertrophy is a lump of fatty scar tissue that can make it difficult to inject at that site. Reusing needles can also cause lipohypertrophy, so remember to always use a new needle for every injection.

How many units can the Humalog Junior KwikPen hold?

Each Humalog Junior KwikPen holds 300 units. There’s a total of 3 mL of liquid inside each pen. And one carton contains five pens — a total of 1,500 units per carton.

How can I save on the Humalog Junior KwikPen?

There are ways to save on the Humalog Junior KwikPen, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for the Lilly Cares patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 per month for the Humalog Junior KwikPen using a savings card from the manufacturer.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited 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.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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