Before using insulin lispro,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to insulin (Humulin, Novolin, others), any of the ingredients of insulin lispro, or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); angiotensin receptor blockers such as azilsartan (Edarbi),candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten, in Teveten HCT), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, Benicar HCT), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT), and valsartan (Diovan, in Diovan HCT, Exforge); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); certain cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Antara, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (Niacor, Niaspan, in Advicor);certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) including atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus); clonidine (Catapres, in Clorpres);danazol;digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin); disopyramide (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); fluoxetine (Prozac, Serafem, in Symbyax); hormone replacement therapy; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for asthma and colds; medications for mental illness and nausea; monoamine oxidase inhibitors including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); octreotide (Sandostatin); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral medications for diabetes such as pioglitazone (Actos, in Actoplus Met and others) and rosiglitazone (Avandia, in Avandamet and others); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); patiromer (Veltassa); pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam); pentoxifylline (Trental); pramlintide (Symlin); reserpine; salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trisalate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kalexate, Kionex, SPS); somatropin (Nutropin, Serostim, others); sulfa antibiotics; and thyroid medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had nerve damage caused by your diabetes; heart failure; or if you have any other medical conditions, including heart, liver, or kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you frequently have episodes of hypoglycemia.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using insulin lispro, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using insulin lispro.
Alcohol may cause a change in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages and prescription or over the counter medications that contain alcohol while you are using insulin lispro.
ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, experience unusual stress, or change your diet, exercise, or activity schedule. These changes can affect your dosing schedule and the amount of insulin you will need.
you should know when you first start using insulin lispro or have a large dose increase you may experience blurry vision or other vision problems, or a painful, burning, weak or numb sensation in your hands, arms, feet, or legs. These side effects should go away, but tell your doctor if these effects continue.
ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar. Be aware that hypoglycemia may affect your ability to perform tasks such as driving and ask your doctor if you need to check your blood sugar before driving or operating machinery.
high blood sugar may occur quickly if an insulin pump or infusion set stops working properly or if the insulin in the pump reservoir becomes inactive (degraded).Problems can include pump malfunction or tubing problems such as blockage, leaking, disconnection, or kinking. If the problem cannot be found quickly and corrected, call your doctor. Temporary use of insulin by subcutaneous injection (using syringes or an insulin pen) may be needed. Make sure you have back-up insulin and any necessary supplies on hand, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use them.