Lyumjev
Lyumjev (insulin lispro or insulin lispro-aabc) is a fast-acting insulin. It helps control blood sugar levels in adults and children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2). Typically, Lyumjev (insulin lispro) is injected under the skin at the start of or soon after the start of a meal. It can also be used with certain types of insulin pumps. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include injection site reactions, rash, and itching. There are several Lyumjev products available, including vial, KwikPen, and Tempo Pen.
What is Lyumjev (insulin lispro)?
What is Lyumjev (insulin lispro) used for?
How Lyumjev (insulin lispro) works
Lyumjev (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.
Lyumjev (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 pump.
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What are the side effects of Lyumjev (insulin lispro)?
Common Side Effects
- Common cold (up to 14%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)
- Urinary tract infection (6%)
- Low blood sugar (up to 6%)
- Injection-site reactions (e.g., rash, redness, itching) (19%)
- Injection-site pain (16%)
- Common cold (6%)
Other Side Effects
- Lumps in the skin or thickened skin where the medication is injected
- Weight gain
- Rash
- Itchy skin
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, 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 Lyumjev (insulin lispro)
Pros
Starts to work within 15 minutes to control your blood sugar levels
Can be used in certain continuous insulin pumps
Can be stored at room temperature for 28 days
Cons
Injected under the skin
Can cause some weight gain
Brand name only
Pharmacist tips for Lyumjev (insulin lispro)
Your prescriber will likely ask you to check your blood sugar levels during the day as you use Lyumjev (insulin lispro). Make sure to keep a log of your blood sugar readings and show it to your HCP at your office visits. This helps you and your prescriber keep track of how well you're responding to Lyumjev (insulin lispro) and whether you need dose adjustments.
When you're using Lyumjev (insulin lispro), it's important that you and your loved ones know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar. Common symptoms include shakiness, anxiety, and hunger. Always 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).
When using Lyumjev (insulin lispro), be sure to rotate injection sites to prevent hard lumps from forming in your skin.
Always use a new needle for each Lyumjev (insulin lispro) injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles. Don't reuse or share your needles with other people.
After injecting Lyumjev (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.
Store unopened vials, pens, or cartridges in the refrigerator until the expiration date written on the product, or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Opened vials can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Opened pens and cartridges should be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days; don't put them in the refrigerator.
More tips on how to use Lyumjev vials and Lyumjev pens:
Your prescriber or pharmacist should train you on how to use Lyumjev (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, U-100 KwikPen, Junior KwikPen, Tempo Pen, and U-200 KwikPen that comes with the medication and contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you have any questions.
There are two different strengths of the Lyumjev (insulin lispro) KwikPen: 100 units/mL (U-100) and 200 units/mL (U-200). Make sure to double check to see which strength of the KwikPen you have.
Inject Lyumjev (insulin lispro) at the start of a meal or within 20 minutes of a meal. It should be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area, buttocks, upper legs, or upper arms.
Prime the Lyumjev (insulin lispro) pen each time before you dial your dose and inject. This makes sure there aren't any air bubbles in your dose. Turn the dose selector to 2 units, hold the pen with the needle pointing up, gently tap it so any air bubbles go to the top, and push the dose button until the dose counter says "0." Repeat if you don't see any insulin at the needle tip
Frequently asked questions about Lyumjev (insulin lispro)
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What are the risks and warnings for Lyumjev (insulin lispro)?
Lyumjev (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 Lyumjev (insulin lispro) pens, syringes, needles, or cartridges with anyone else. Sharing Lyumjev (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 Lyumjev (insulin lispro) from a different type of insulin | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Lyumjev (insulin lispro) | Liver or kidney problems
Changing your insulin or insulin routine, such as where you inject Lyumjev (insulin lispro) or switching to a different brand name 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 Lyumjev (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 Lyumjev (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 | Switching to Lyumjev (insulin lispro) from a different type of insulin | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Lyumjev (insulin lispro) | Liver or kidney problems
Using Lyumjev (insulin lispro) alone or together with other blood sugar medications can cause your blood sugar levels to drop too low, which can be life-threatening. Always check the medication labels of all your diabetes medications to make sure you're taking the right one, especially if you're injecting more than one type of insulin.
Make sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar, such as feeling shaky; being nervous, anxious, or confused; or feeling very hungry. Check your blood sugar if you have any of these symptoms.
It's important to know how to treat low blood sugar. Carry some form of fast-acting sugar (e.g., glucose tablets, hard candy, fruit juice) with you at all times while you're taking this medication. You can use these to raise your blood sugar quickly if it becomes too low.
Low blood potassium levels
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower potassium levels
Lyumjev (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 when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with Lyumjev (insulin lispro) | History of heart failure
Taking insulin, including Lyumjev (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 Lyumjev (insulin lispro), check that your pump is working properly and that you know how to use it correctly. When the pump isn't work 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 Lyumjev (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.
Lyumjev (insulin lispro) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Lyumjev (insulin lispro)
Your diabetes care team will determine your dose of Lyumjev (insulin lispro) based on different factors, such as your blood sugar level, body weight, how responsive your body is to insulin.
For injections under the skin: Inject Lyumjev (insulin lispro) under the skin in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm, with the first bite of a meal or within 20 minutes after starting 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: Lyumjev (insulin lispro) can be given as an injection into the vein by a healthcare professional (HCP). The dose depends on the type of diabetes you have and your weight.
How much does Lyumjev (insulin lispro) cost?
Lyumjev (insulin lispro) contraindications
Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
What are alternatives to Lyumjev (insulin lispro)?
Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 3 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2) in adults
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Insulin pumps: Relief and choice.
Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.). How to take Lyumjev.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). Lyumjev- insulin lispro-aabc injection, solution; Lyumjev Kwikpen- insulin lispro-aabc injection, solution; Lyumjev Junior Kwikpen- insulin lispro-aabc injection, solution; Lyumjev Tempo Pen- insulin lispro-aabc injection, solution; Lyumjev Kwikpen- insulin lispro-aabc injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Khadria, A., et al. (2022). Photoacoustic imaging reveals mechanisms of rapid-acting insulin formulations dynamics at the injection site. Molecular Metabolism.
Liu, B. L., et al. (2018). Comparison of efficacy and safety of lispro and aspart evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring system in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Endocrinology.
Sharabi, K., et al. (2015). Molecular pathophysiology of hepatic glucose production. Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
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