An Introduction to Side Effects of Insulin Lispro Protamine/Insulin Lispro
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro (
Humalog® Mix50/50, Humalog
® Mix75/25). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, many people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. However, serious side effects may occur.
Serious Insulin Lispro Protamine/Insulin Lispro Side Effects
Some side effects with this medication are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. Some of the warning signs of these serious side effects include:
- Symptoms of dangerously low blood sugar, such as:
- Changes in behavior, such as irritability or mood swings
- Loss of coordination
- Cold sweats
- Difficulty speaking
- Extreme hunger
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- Hives
- Itching
- An unexplained rash
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Wheezing or other difficulty breathing.
Rapid-acting insulins (such as one of the insulins in insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro) are more likely to cause low blood sugar, compared to long-acting or even short-acting insulins. This is why it is so important to start eating within 15 minutes of a dose of insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro. Not eating (or waiting too long to eat) increases the risk of experiencing dangerously low blood sugar.
Be sure those around you (such as relatives, friends, and coworkers) know how to recognize your particular signs of low blood sugar, since you may be too confused or disoriented (due to low blood sugar) to recognize and adequately respond to low blood sugar. Different people may have different signs of low blood sugar. Also, make sure you and those around you know exactly how to respond to low blood sugar.
