Humulin R vs. Lantus

Humulin R (insulin [human recombinant]) and Lantus (insulin glargine [rdna origin]) Injection are forms of insulin indicated as adjuncts to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Humulin R is a short-acting form of insulin and Lantus is a long-acting form of insulin.

Side effects of Humulin R and Lantus that are similar include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) (symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, trouble concentrating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, fainting, and seizures [severe hypoglycemia can be fatal]) and injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation).

Both Humulin R and Lantus may interact with albuterol, clonidine, reserpine, and beta-blockers.

Humulin R may also interact with guanethidine.

Common side effects of Humulin R include:

• injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation).

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the most common side effect of Humulin R.

Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• headache,
• hunger,
• weakness,
• sweating,
• tremors,
• irritability,
• trouble concentrating,
• rapid breathing,
• fast heartbeat,
• fainting, or
• seizure (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Humulin R including:

• signs of low potassium level in the blood (such as muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat).

The most common side effects of Lantus is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Symptoms include:

• headache,
• hunger,
• weakness,
• sweating,
• tremors,
• irritability,
• trouble concentrating,
• rapid breathing,
• fast heartbeat,
• fainting, or
• seizure (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).

Other common side effects of Lantus include pain, redness, swelling, itching, or thickening of the skin at the injection site. These side effects usually go away after a few days or weeks.

Humulin R (insulin (human recombinant)) is a hormone that is produced in the body used to treat diabetes.

Lantus is a long-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Humulin R may interact with albuterol, clonidine, reserpine, guanethidine, or beta-blockers. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Lantus may interact with albuterol, clonidine, reserpine, or beta-blockers. Many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin on lowering your blood sugar.

The recommended starting dose of Humulin R for patients 6 years and older is 25 mg once daily in the morning. The dosage of Humulin R may be increased in increments of 10 to 15 mg at intervals of at least 5 days.

• Use Lantus exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Your healthcare provider should tell you how much Lantus to use and when to use it.
• Know the amount of Lantus you use. Do not change the amount of Lantus you use unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Check your insulin label each time you give your injection to make sure you are using the correct insulin.
• Lantus comes in a SoloStar disposable prefilled pen that you must use to give your Lantus. The dose counter on your pen shows your dose of Lantus. Do not make any dose changes unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Do not use a syringe to remove Lantus from your SoloStar disposable prefilled pen.
• Do not re-use needles. Always use a new needle for each injection. Re-use of needles increases your risk of having blocked needles, which may cause you to get the wrong dose of Lantus. Using a new needle for each injection lowers your risk of getting an infection. If your needle is blocked, follow the instructions in Step 3 of the Instructions for Use.
• You may take Lantus at any time during the day but you must take it at the same time every day.
• Lantus is injected under your skin (subcutaneously). Do not use Lantus in an insulin pump or inject Lantus into your vein (intravenously).
• Change (rotate) injection your sites within area you chose with each dose. Do not use the exact spot for each injection.
• Do not mix Lantus with any other type of insulin or liquid medicine.
• Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your healthcare provider what your blood sugar should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels.

• Use Humalog KwikPen exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Your healthcare provider should tell you how much Humalog to use and when to use it.
• Know the amount of Humalog you use. Do not change the amount of Humalog you use unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Check your insulin label each time you give your injection to make sure you are using the correct insulin.
• Humalog comes in a KwikPen which is a disposable prefilled pen that you must use to give your Humalog. The dose window on your pen shows your dose of Humalog. Do not make any dose changes unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Do not use a syringe to remove Humalog from your KwikPen disposable prefilled pen.
• Do not re-use needles. Always use a new needle for each injection. Re-use of needles increases your risk of having blocked needles, which may cause you to get the wrong dose of Humalog. Using a new needle for each injection also lowers your risk of getting an infection. If your needle is blocked, follow the instructions in the "General information about the safe and effective use of your Pen" section of the Instructions for Use.
• Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin. Take Humalog within 15 minutes before eating or right after eating a meal.
• Inject Humalog under your skin (subcutaneously). Do not use Humalog KwikPen ("Pen") in an insulin pump or inject Humalog KwikPen into your vein (intravenously).
• Change (rotate) your injection site with each dose.
• Do not mix the Humalog in the Humalog KwikPen with any other type of insulin or liquid medicine.
• Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your healthcare provider what your blood sugar should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels.
• Keep Humalog KwikPen and all medicines out of reach of children.