Learn more about the basics of diabetes, insulin, and more.
Your Insulin Needs: Which Type and How Much?
Glossary
Basal Insulin
The insulin made by your body to keep blood sugar stable between meals and overnight. Also called background insulin.
The insulin made by your body to keep blood sugar stable between meals and overnight. Also called background insulin.
Glossary
Blood Sugar
The main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy. Also called blood glucose.
The main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy. Also called blood glucose.
- Your blood sugar patterns
- What you eat and when you eat
- Your daily exercise and stress
- Your other medicines
How much insulin do you need?
Here are some of the things that affect your need for insulin:
- How much you weigh
- How fit you are (how much fat and muscle you have)
- How sensitive your body cells are to insulin
- How much you exercise
- How much you eat and the foods you choose
- What other medicines you take
You and your healthcare team will work together to adjust your dose over time. Your blood sugars will ultimately tell you when you've got the right fit.
How much insulin will I receive?
Just as height is measured in inches, insulin is measured in "units." A unit is a small amount of pure insulin.
- Vials of insulin sold in the United States have 100 units of insulin in each milliliter of fluid. Such vials say U-100 on the label. The amount of insulin in a milliliter (U-100) is called the insulin's concentration. Each vial contains 1000 units.
- A box of 5 Prefilled Pens contains the same amount of insulin as 1.5 vials.
Which plan is right for me?
The insulin plan that's right for you will do two things:
- Fit your life — What do you do? When do you do it? Let your healthcare team know your usual routine. Or, tell them if you don't have one. The details of your life will make some insulins a better choice than others.
- Match your body's needs — You need some insulin all the time, more when you eat, and less when you exercise. If you have type 1 diabetes, all of those needs will be met by the insulin you take. If you have type 2 diabetes, some of the needs may be met by your body's own insulin in combination with the insulin you take.
Important Safety Information
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
