Humalog Mix50/50

Humalog Mix50/50 is a prescription diabetes medication. It contains a rapid-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin, and is used to control blood sugar in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Humalog Mix50/50 comes in injectable form and is injected just under the skin immediately before meals, within 15 minutes before you start eating. Potential side effects include allergic reactions and hypoglycemia.

 

What Is Humalog Mix50/50?

Humalog® Mix50/50 (insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro) is a prescription form of insulin used to treat diabetes. It contains insulin lispro protamine, an intermediate-acting insulin, mixed with insulin lispro, a rapid-acting insulin. It is usually taken immediately before meals and provides insulin to "cover" meals as well as the time in between meals.
 
(Click Humalog Mix50/50 Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Humalog Mix50/50 is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.
 

How Does Humalog Mix50/50 Work?

Humalog Mix50/50 contains two different insulins: one that is rapid-acting (insulin lispro) and one that is intermediate-acting (insulin lispro protamine).
 It starts working quickly and continues to work for several hours. Ideally, using Humalog Mix50/50 decreases the number of injections per day, since it combines two types of insulin into one injection.
 
Insulin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the pancreas. This hormone is important for several functions, such as controlling blood sugar. Insulin helps the cells of your body remove glucose ("sugar") from your bloodstream. This sugar fuels your body's cells, giving them the energy they need to work properly. You may need to take insulin if your pancreas has trouble making enough, which is the case in people with type 1 diabetes and in some people who have type 2 diabetes.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;