Drug Guide

Generic Name

Insulin Lispro-aabc

Brand Names Lyumjev

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic agent

Pharmacological: Insulin analog, rapid-acting

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus to improve glycemic control

Mechanism of Action

Insulin Lispro-aabc mimics endogenous rapid-acting insulin by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, inhibiting hepatic glucose production, and modulating carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Injected subcutaneously within 15 minutes before or just after starting a meal. Dose individualized based on patient needs.

Pediatric: Same as adult, with dose adjustments based on age, weight, and clinical response.

Geriatric: Adjust dose based on glycemic response and renal/hepatic function, with caution due to increased risk of hypoglycemia.

Renal Impairment: May require dose adjustment; monitor blood glucose closely.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor blood glucose levels regularly.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption after subcutaneous injection, with onset of action within 15 minutes.

Distribution: Distributed throughout the body; the volume of distribution is approximately 0.2 L/kg.

Metabolism: Metabolized mainly in the liver and kidneys via proteolytic enzymes.

Excretion: Excreted primarily as degraded metabolites.

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour in plasma.

Contraindications

  • Hypoglycemia at the time of administration

Precautions

  • Risk of hypoglycemia, especially during peak activity; adjust doses accordingly.
  • Use with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
  • Inspect injection site regularly for signs of lipodystrophy or skin reactions.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hypoglycemia (Common)
  • Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, itching) (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe hypoglycemia (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Very rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other hypoglycemic agents, corticosteroids, beta-blockers, diuretics, thyroid hormones, and certain antidepressants.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Alcohol may potentiate or mask hypoglycemia.
  • High carbohydrate meals may affect insulin needs.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • vera, ginseng may affect blood glucose.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose levels regularly. Assess for signs of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for unstable blood glucose levels.
  • Risk for hypoglycemia.

Implementation: Administer at prescribed times relative to meals. Educate patients on symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Evaluation: Maintain blood glucose within target range. Observe for adverse reactions or injection site issues.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • How to inject insulin properly.
  • Signs and management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
  • Importance of regular blood glucose monitoring.
  • Diet and lifestyle considerations.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None specified for this formulation.

Genetic Factors: Insulin sensitivity may vary due to genetic factors.

Lab Test Interference: May affect certain blood tests related to glucose monitoring.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Hypoglycemia presenting as sweating, trembling, hunger, confusion, seizures.

Treatment: Administer fast-acting carbohydrate; if severe, glucagon injection or IV dextrose is indicated.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Unopened vials refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Once in use, can be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 28 days.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for up to 28 days once opened.

🛡️ 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.