Humalog KwikPen Side Effects
Generic name: insulin lispro
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 7, 2022.
Note: This document contains side effect information about insulin lispro. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Humalog KwikPen.
Applies to insulin lispro: solution.
Serious side effects of Humalog KwikPen
Along with its needed effects, insulin lispro (the active ingredient contained in Humalog KwikPen) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking insulin lispro:
More common
- Anxious or nervous feeling
- behavior change similar to being drunk
- blurred vision
- chills
- cold sweats
- confusion or difficulty thinking
- depression
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- drowsiness
- excessive hunger
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- headache
- irritability or abnormal behavior
- lower back or side pain
- nightmares
- painful or difficult urination
- restless sleep
- seizures
- shakiness
- slurred speech
- tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or tongue
Less common
- Dry, red, hot, or irritated skin
Rare
- Depression of the skin at the injection site
- dryness of the mouth
- fast or weak pulse
- itching, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- muscle cramps or pain
- nausea
- skin rash or itching over the whole body
- sweating
- thickening of the skin at the injection site
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Incidence not known
- Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- decreased urine
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- hives or itching skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redistribution or accumulation of body fat
- tightness in the chest
- unusual weight gain or loss
Other side effects of Humalog KwikPen
Some side effects of insulin lispro may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Body aches or pain
- congestion
- runny nose
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy nose
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- voice changes
Incidence not known
- Redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to insulin lispro: injectable solution, subcutaneous solution.
General
Adverse reactions observed have included hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, local injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, rash, and pruritus.[Ref]
Metabolic
Weight gain has been reported with insulin therapy and has been attributed to the anabolic effects of insulin and the decrease in glucosuria.[Ref]
Very common (10% or more): Hypoglycemia
Frequency not reported: Weight gain[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects have included both local and systemic reactions. Anaphylaxis has been reported. Local reactions have presented as erythema, local edema, and pruritus at the injection site. Most minor reactions to insulin at the injection site resolve in a few days to a few weeks.
Generalized allergy to insulin may present as a whole body rash, dyspnea, wheezing, hypotension, tachycardia, or diaphoresis. In clinical trials, pruritus (with or without rash) was seen in 17 patients receiving human insulin (n=2969) and 30 patients receiving insulin lispro (the active ingredient contained in Humalog KwikPen) (n=2944).[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Infusion site reactions
Rare (less than 0.1%): Catheter occlusions/month[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Refraction disorder, worsening of diabetic retinopathy[Ref]
Rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a transitory, reversible ophthalmologic refraction disorder and worsening of diabetic retinopathy. However, long-term glycemic control decreases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 29.6%)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Painful peripheral neuropathy[Ref]
Rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a transitory, reversible acute painful peripheral neuropathy. However, long-term glycemic control decreases the risk.[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common (10% or more): Flu syndrome (up to 34.6%), infection (up to 13.6%)
Frequency not reported: Anti-insulin antibody titers[Ref]
The clinical significance of the development of these antibody titers is unknown.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Insulin may cause sodium retention and edema, especially as metabolic control is improving.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Peripheral edema[Ref]
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, rash
Frequency not reported: Lipodystrophy including lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy[Ref]
Long-term use of insulin may cause lipodystrophy at the site of repeated injection. Lipodystrophy includes lipohypertrophy, a thickening of adipose tissue, and lipoatrophy, thinning of adipose tissue.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, dysmenorrhea[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Pain (up to 19.8%)
Common (1% to 10%): Fever[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Pharyngitis (up to 33.3%), rhinitis (up to 24.7%), increased cough (up to 17.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, bronchitis[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- Are Humulin and Humalog the same thing?
- What is the difference between regular insulin and lispro (Humalog)?
- Humalog vs Novolog (Novalog): What's the difference?
- Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
- How and where should I inject insulin?
- When does insulin lispro peak / how long does it last?
- Can regular and lispro insulin (Humalog) be mixed?
- Does Admelog need to be refrigerated?
- What type of insulin is Humalog?
- How fast does insulin lispro work?
- Can Admelog (insulin lispro) be used in insulin pumps?
- Is Admelog fast-acting insulin?
More about Humalog KwikPen (insulin lispro)
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References
1. "Product Information. Humalog (insulin lispro)." Lilly, Eli and Company (2002):
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.