Home Drug Guide Insulin Lispro

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Insulin Lispro

Brand Names Admelog, Admelog Solostar

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic agent

Pharmacological: Rapid-acting insulin

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus

Mechanism of Action

Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin analog that mimics endogenous insulin response to a meal, facilitating glucose uptake into cells and inhibiting hepatic glucose production.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosage individualized based on patient's blood glucose levels; administered subcutaneously within 15 minutes before or immediately after meals.

Pediatric: Dosing varies; usually administered subcutaneously before meals; consult specific pediatric guidelines.

Geriatric: Initiate at lower doses with careful titration due to increased risk of hypoglycemia.

Renal Impairment: Dose adjustment may be necessary; monitor closely.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustments; use with caution.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption following subcutaneous injection, with onset within 15 minutes.

Distribution: Distributes broadly in body tissues.

Metabolism: Metabolized primarily in the liver and kidneys.

Excretion: Excreted as metabolites mainly via renal pathways.

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to insulin lispro or any excipients in the formulation

Precautions

  • Risk of hypoglycemia
  • Use with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment
  • Monitor for allergic reactions; lipodystrophy at injection sites

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hypoglycemia (Common)
  • Injection site reactions (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe hypoglycemia leading to coma or death (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antidiabetic agents (risk of hypoglycemia)
  • Beta-blockers (may mask hypoglycemia symptoms)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose levels closely; assess for signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for unstable blood glucose levels
  • Risk for hypoglycemia

Implementation: Administer as prescribed; educate patient on injection technique and recognition of hypoglycemia.

Evaluation: Effectiveness assessed via blood glucose monitoring and patient symptom report.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Never share insulin syringes or pens
  • Recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
  • Administer insulin injections as instructed
  • Maintain proper storage of insulin
  • Have a source of fast-acting carbohydrate available

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with some laboratory blood glucose tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypoglycemia: sweating, trembling, weakness, altered mental status, seizures.

Treatment: Administer fast-acting carbohydrate, glucagon, or intravenous glucose as per severity.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Unopened vials or pens stored in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F); opened vials or pens can be kept at room temperature up to 28 days.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the specified periods.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.