Humalog vs. Novolog

Are Humalog and NovoLog the Same Thing?

Humalog(insulinlispro [rDNA origin]) andNovoLog(insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) are forms of insulin, ahormoneproducedinthe body, used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults. Both Humalog and NovoLog are usually given together with another long-acting insulin.

A difference is that Humalog is sometimes also used together withoralmedications to treat type 2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Humalog?

Common side effects of Humalog include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of NovoLog?

The most common side effect of NovoLog is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Symptoms of low blood sugar may include:

  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • hunger,
  • confusion,
  • drowsiness,
  • weakness,
  • dizziness,
  • blurred vision,
  • fast heartbeat,
  • sweating,
  • tremor,
  • trouble concentrating,
  • confusion, or
  • seizure (convulsions)

Other common side effects of NovoLog include:

  • injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation).

Tell yourdoctorright away if you have any serious side effects of NovoLog including:

  • signs of low potassium level in the blood (such as muscle cramps, weakness, or irregular heartbeat).

What Is Humalog?

Humalog (insulin lispro [rDNA origin]) Injection is a hormone that is produced in the body used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent)diabetesin adults. Humalog is usually given together with another long-acting insulin. Humalog is also used together with oral medications to treat type 2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults.

What Is NovoLog?

NovoLog (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) is a form of insulin, a hormone that is produced in the body, used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. NovoLog is usually given together with another long-acting insulin.

What Drugs Interact With Humalog?

Humalog may interact withalbuterol,clonidine,reserpine, guanethidine, or beta-blockers. Many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin lispro on lowering blood sugar. Tell your doctor allprescriptionandover-the-countermedications and supplements you use.

What Drugs Interact With NovoLog?

There are many other medicines that can increase or decrease the effects of insulin.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes:

  • vitamins,
  • minerals,
  • herbalproducts, and
  • drugs prescribed by other doctors

How Should Humalog Be Taken?

The total daily insulin requirement varies and the dose is usually between 0.5 to 1 unit/kg/day. Insulin needs may be altered duringstress,majorillness, or changes in exercise, meal patterns, or co-administered drugs.

Read the Instructions for Use before you start taking Humalog and each time you get a new Humalog vial. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medicalconditionor your treatment.

Do not share your syringes with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a seriousinfectionor get a serious infection from them.

How Should Novolog Be Taken?

Read the Instructions for Use that come with your NovoLog.

Take NovoLog exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.

NovoLog starts acting fast. You should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after you take your dose of NovoLog.

Know the type and strength of insulin you take. Do not change the type of insulin you take unless your healthcare provider tells you to. The amount of insulin and the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take different types of insulin.

Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your healthcare provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels.

Do not reuse or share your needles with other people. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

References
Humalog Prescribing Information.

https://www.humalog.com/index.aspx

NovoLog Prescribing Information.

http://www.novo-pi.com/novolog.pdf

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