If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe Lyumjev. It’s a prescription drug that’s used in adults to help lower blood sugar levels.

To learn more about Lyumjev and how it’s used for diabetes, see the “What is Lyumjev used for?” section below.

Lyumjev insulin basics

Lyumjev contains the drug insulin lispro-aabc, which is a rapid-acting insulin. Insulin lispro resembles the insulin that your pancreas makes naturally.

Lyumjev comes as a solution. You’ll take the drug as an injection under your skin. Lyumjev can also be used in some insulin pumps, which continuously administer insulin under your skin. In some situations, your doctor may inject Lyumjev directly into your vein

You may wonder if Lyumjev is a biosimilar drug. Lyumjev is a brand-name biologic drug that doesn’t currently come in biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like a generic version of a biologic drug.)

Read on to learn more about Lyumjev’s uses, side effects, and more.

Lyumjev and Humalog are both diabetes drugs that contain the active ingredient insulin lispro. Lyumjev is a newer formulation of insulin lispro that also contains other ingredients to make it work faster than Humalog.

Both drugs are biologics, which are drugs made from parts of living organisms. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs. Biosimilar drugs are considered to be as safe and effective as the drug that they’re based on.

Lyumjev and Humalog are rapid-acting insulins that have been shown to be effective for lowering blood sugar levels. Adults and children can take Humalog, but only adults can take Lyumjev.

For Lyumjev, you’ll need to take your dose right before you start to eat or within 20 minutes of starting to eat a meal. For Humalog, you’ll take a dose up to 15 minutes before starting a meal.

To learn more about these and other insulin drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lyumjev contains insulin lispro-aabc. Fiasp contains insulin aspart.

The difference between insulin lispro and insulin aspart is their chemical makeup. But they each resemble insulin made naturally by the pancreas. Both are rapid-acting insulins, and they’re both effective in lowering blood sugar levels.

Fiasp can be given to adults or to children. Lyumjev is only used in adults.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about how these drugs compare.

Lyumjev contains insulin lispro-aabc. Novolog contains insulin aspart.

Insulin lispro and insulin aspart have a different chemical makeup. But each are similar to insulin made naturally by the pancreas.

Both Lyumjev and Novolog are rapid-acting insulins, which means they work quickly after they’re injected. And both are effective for lowering blood sugar levels.

Novolog can be used in adults and children ages 2 years and older. But Lyumjev is only used in adults.

You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have more questions about these medications.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Lyumjev.

Are reviews available from people who’ve used Lyumjev?

The drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide reviews from people who’ve used Lyumjev. If you’d like to know if Lyumjev is right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What’s Lyumjev’s duration of action?

How long Lyumjev works (its duration of action) depends on how much you’re injecting.

This drug starts working 15 minutes after you inject it. And it can last between 4 and 7 hours in your system. The more you inject, the longer it will work.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long your recommended dose will last in your body.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lyumjev coupon or other savings offer

The manufacturer of Lyumjev doesn’t offer a coupon for its drug, but it does provide a savings card. You can visit the Lyumjev manufacturer’s website to learn more about this.

Like most drugs, Lyumjev may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Lyumjev may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you may be taking

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Lyumjev. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Lyumjev can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Lyumjev’s patient information.

Mild side effects of Lyumjev that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Lyumjev can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Lyumjev, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Lyumjev that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Lyumjev may cause.

Reactions at Lyumjev injection sites

When injecting Lyumjev, you may have reactions at your injection sites. These reactions may cause:

  • redness
  • itchiness
  • pain
  • swelling
  • bleeding
  • bruising

Most of the time, injection site reactions from Lyumjev are mild.

What might help

When you first start injecting Lyumjev, you may have a skin reaction. But it should disappear with time.

If you have a severe skin reaction to Lyumjev, call your doctor or pharmacist right away.

Also, if you keep having reactions at your injection sites, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest different injection techniques to help prevent the reactions.

Low blood sugar level

The most common side effect of Lyumjev is low blood sugar level, which is also called hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person. But possible symptoms include:

  • feeling shaky, nervous, or anxious
  • sweating
  • feeling irritable or impatient
  • confusion
  • fast heart rate
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • hunger
  • nausea
  • pale-looking skin
  • feeling sleepy
  • having low energy
  • blurry vision
  • tingling of the lips, tongue, or cheeks
  • headache

Sometimes hypoglycemia can be serious. In this case, it may cause seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death.

What might help

To help prevent hypoglycemia, make sure that you’re injecting the correct dose of Lyumjev. Also, if you’re taking other diabetes medications, make sure you’re carefully following your doctor’s dosage instructions. You will also need to monitor your blood sugar closely when making any changes to your insulin dosing as this will increase your risk for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

If you have any symptoms of low blood sugar, check your blood sugar level.

If your blood sugar level is low, eating something sugary may help you feel better. Your doctor may recommend that you follow the 15-15 rule. With this guidance, you’ll consume 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates, and then check your blood sugar level 15 minutes later.

Examples of carbohydrates you could ingest include:

  • glucose tablets or gel
  • 4 ounces (oz) or a half cup of juice or regular (not diet) soda
  • 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
  • hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops

Make sure you have easy access to any of these sources while you’re taking Lyumjev. This way, you can act quickly if your blood sugar level is low.

Lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis

You may have lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis while you’re taking Lyumjev. These are skin conditions that can cause the skin at your injection sites to become thick or lumpy.

These conditions may happen if you inject Lyumjev into the same spot each time you administer the drug.

It’s important to know that injecting Lyumjev into an area with lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis can affect how much of the drug you absorb. And this can affect your blood sugar level.

What might help

When injecting doses of Lyumjev, you must change injection sites each time. This will help you avoid injecting the medication into the same area and developing these skin conditions.

Also, avoid injecting Lyumjev where your skin is lumpy, thickened, or has pitting. You must also avoid areas of tender, bruised, scaly, or hard skin. And don’t inject Lyumjev into scars or damaged skin.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to know about how to inject this drug.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Lyumjev.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Lyumjev. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe Lyumjev. It’s a prescription drug that’s used in adults to help lower blood sugar levels.

With diabetes, your body can’t regulate the amount of sugar in your blood. Typically, your body makes and uses insulin to do this.

If you have type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, the insulin your body makes doesn’t work as well as usual. So with either type of diabetes, your blood sugar level is higher than usual.

Lyumjev contains insulin. By taking Lyumjev, you’re either supplying insulin that your body isn’t making or replacing insulin that isn’t working well.

Insulin is made naturally by your pancreas. It helps take sugar out of your blood and allows the sugar to move into your cells. Lyumjev resembles insulin that’s made naturally by your pancreas.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Lyumjev that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form

Lyumjev comes as a solution inside the following:

  • Multi-dose vials. This insulin can be taken using a needle and syringe. If you have an insulin pump, you may be able to use multi-dose vials of Lyumjev to fill the pump’s reservoir. (Insulin pumps continuously administer insulin into your body.) Check your insulin pump user manual to find out if you can take Lyumjev with your pump. Or ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can use Lyumjev in your pump.
  • Disposable multi-dose pens. The available pens for Lyumjev are:
    • KwikPens, which dispense insulin in whole units.
    • Junior KwikPens, which dispense insulin in half and whole units.
    • Tempo Pens, which are smart pens that connect to certain other devices.
  • Cartridges for use with insulin pens. These can be used as refills in certain insulin pens. Be sure to check your insulin pen manual to see if these are right to take with your pen. Or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You’ll take Lyumjev as an injection under your skin. In some situations, your doctor may use the multi-dose vials to inject the drug directly into your vein.

If you’re using Lyumjev’s KwikPen, check out this video to see how to administer the medication. And for step-by-step instructions on using Lyumjev pens or vials, see this page.

Recommended dosages

Your doctor will tell you how much Lyumjev you’ll need to take. Your recommended dosage depends on your body’s needs and your blood sugar levels. Make sure to inject the correct number of units of Lyumjev.

Your doctor may need to adjust your Lyumjev dose if you change your:

If your kidney or liver function changes, you may also need a different dosage of Lyumjev.

But don’t adjust your dose without first talking with your doctor or pharmacist. During dosage changes, your doctor may have you check your blood sugar level more often than usual.

Questions about Lyumjev’s dosage

Here’s a list of common questions about taking Lyumjev and answers to them.

  • What if I miss a dose of Lyumjev? If you miss a dose of Lyumjev, just skip it entirely. Taking a dose of Lyumjev after more than 20 minutes have passed since you started eating a meal can make your blood sugar level too low. Be sure to inject Lyumjev right before you start eating a meal or within 20 minutes of eating. Keep in mind that missing a dose of Lyumjev can make your blood sugar rise after you’ve eaten. So check your blood sugar level if you’ve missed a dose. With a high blood sugar level, you might feel thirstier and have to urinate more often than usual.
  • Will I need to take Lyumjev long term? Diabetes can’t be cured, so you’ll likely need to take Lyumjev long term. Your doctor may change your diabetes medications over time. But it’s unlikely that you’ll stop taking insulin once you start taking it. Talk with your doctor about how long you’ll need to take Lyumjev.
  • How long does Lyumjev take to work? Lyumjev is a rapid-acting insulin, so it works quickly to lower your blood sugar level. Depending on how much Lyumjev you’ll need to inject, it can start working in 15 to 17 minutes. This is why you’ll need to take it immediately before a meal or within 20 minutes of starting to eat a meal.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Lyumjev. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Lyumjev

Lyumjev comes as a solution.

You’ll take Lyumjev as an injection under your skin. If you have an insulin pump, you may be able to use Lyumjev in your pump, if approved by your doctor. (Insulin pumps continuously deliver insulin into your body.)

In some situations, your doctor may inject Lyumjev directly into your vein.

If you’re injecting Lyumjev under your skin, you’ll administer the medication into your:

  • belly, avoiding the skin around your belly button
  • upper legs
  • upper arms
  • buttocks

If you’re taking Lyumjev in an insulin pump, check the pump’s user manual to find out where to inject Lyumjev. Also, be sure that you have another option for injecting insulin in case your pump fails to work correctly.

To help prevent skin conditions called lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis, you must rotate injection sites of this drug. See the “What are Lyumjev’s side effects?” section above for more details about these conditions.

Taking Lyumjev with other drugs

Your doctor may prescribe other diabetes medications together with Lyumjev.

Some diabetes medications that you might take with Lyumjev include:

You may also need to take a different type of insulin along with Lyumjev. (Keep in mind that Lyumjev is a rapid-acting insulin.) For example, taking an intermediate- or long-acting insulin with Lyumjev may help keep your blood sugar level in a typical range.

Examples of other insulin products you may take with Lyumjev include insulin NPH (Humulin N) and insulin glargine (Basaglar).

Questions about taking Lyumjev

Here are a few questions related to taking Lyumjev.

Should I take Lyumjev with food?

You must take Lyumjev right before you start to eat or within 20 minutes of starting to eat a meal. If you take Lyumjev on an empty stomach, your blood sugar level may drop too low.

Where can I find instructions for taking Lyumjev?

The drug’s manufacturer offers step-by-step instructions on how to use Lyumjev. To view the instructions, see this page.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Lyumjev and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Lyumjev affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering Lyumjev include:

  • your overall health
  • any medical conditions you may have

Also, tell your doctor if you’re taking any medications. This is important because some drugs can interact with Lyumjev.

These and other considerations to discuss with your doctor are described below.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Lyumjev, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Lyumjev.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Lyumjev can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Lyumjev. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur from taking Lyumjev.

Warnings

Lyumjev may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Lyumjev. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level). Having an episode of low blood sugar is a contraindication to taking Lyumjev. (A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug.) If you already have low blood sugar and you take Lyumjev, your blood sugar will drop even more. With severely low blood sugar, you may have a seizure or lose consciousness. This can be life threatening. Symptoms of low blood sugar happen quickly and differ between people. The symptoms may also change over time. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about low blood sugar symptoms. Some possible symptoms include:
    • shaking
    • feeling irritable
    • being confused
    • having a fast heart rate
    • feeling hungry
  • Changes to your insulin treatment. If your insulin treatment plan changes, your risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level) increases. This includes any time there are changes in the amount of insulin you inject or the brand or strength of insulin you use. Your doctor will recommend how often you should check your blood sugar to watch for high or low levels.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lyumjev or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Lyumjev. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Heart failure. Combining certain diabetes medications with Lyumjev may cause or worsen heart failure. For instance, this can happen with thiazolidinedione diabetes medications, which include rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos). Taking these types of drugs with Lyumjev can cause water to build up in your body, putting stress on your heart. If you’re taking a thiazolidinedione with Lyumjev, your doctor will monitor your heart function. If needed, your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications.
  • Low potassium level. All medications that contain insulin, including Lyumjev, can lower your potassium level. Having a low potassium level can cause breathing and heart problems. Sometimes low potassium levels can be life threatening. If you’re at risk of a low potassium level, your doctor will check your level. You may be at risk of this condition if you’re taking other medications that also lower your potassium level, such as furosemide (Lasix) and indapamide.
  • Hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis, if using an insulin pump. If you’re taking Lyumjev in an insulin pump, you’re at risk of having a high blood sugar level if your pump doesn’t work correctly. When you don’t have enough insulin, sugar can’t move out of your blood and into your cells. If your cells don’t have sugar to burn for energy, they start to burn fat instead. This process produces ketones, making your blood acidic. This leads to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious condition that can cause coma. DKA can also cause death. Your doctor will recommend that you have another option for injecting insulin if your pump fails to work correctly.

Lyumjev and alcohol

Studies show that alcohol can have different effects on how well insulin works. (Keep in mind that Lyumjev is an insulin drug.)

For instance, alcohol can increase or decrease the effect of insulin. So alcohol may interfere with how well Lyumjev works to lower your blood sugar level.

This means Lyumjev may act stronger than usual if you drink alcohol while taking it. And this could drop your blood sugar level too low. On the other hand, Lyumjev could act weaker than usual, and your sugar level could be too high.

The effect of alcohol on your blood sugar level varies with how much alcohol you drink and the amount of alcohol that’s in your blood. If you’re fasting, alcohol may drop your blood sugar levels more than if you’re eating.

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. You’ll need to let your doctor know how often and how much you drink. They may change your dosage of Lyumjev. But don’t adjust your dosage on your own.

Before drinking alcohol or taking medications that contain alcohol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Studies haven’t shown that Lyumjev is harmful to pregnant people or developing fetuses. But having blood sugar levels that aren’t well managed can affect a pregnancy.

If you’re pregnant or considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor before taking Lyumjev. Your doctor will help you find the best way to manage your blood sugar levels.

Insulin lispro (the active drug in Lyumjev) passes into breast milk. But it’s considered safe to take insulin lispro while breastfeeding. Doctors haven’t reported any side effects from the drug in children who are breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding while taking Lyumjev, talk with your doctor. They’ll help you decide if the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any possible risks.

Don’t take more Lyumjev than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects. For this reason, your doctor will carefully determine your dosage of Lyumjev.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you take too much Lyumjev

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Lyumjev. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe Lyumjev. It’s a prescription drug that’s used in adults to help lower blood sugar levels.

If you have questions about taking Lyumjev, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor can tell you about other treatments for diabetes. Here’s an article you might find helpful.

Some questions to ask your doctor about Lyumjev may include:

  • What should I do if Lyumjev solution in the cartridge doesn’t appear clear?
  • How long can I store Lyumjev at room temperature?
  • How should I dispose of needles I’ve used to inject Lyumjev?
  • How should I store Lyumjev if I’m traveling on an airplane?

You can learn more about diabetes by subscribing to Healthline’s diabetes newsletter. And you can find advice and stories from others with type 2 diabetes in the Bezzy T2D community.

Q:

How often should I check my blood sugar level while I’m taking Lyumjev?

Anonymous

A:

You should check your blood sugar levels exactly as your doctor recommends. How often you’ll check it may depend on several factors. These could include:

  • how long you’ve been taking Lyumjev
  • your overall health
  • how severe your diabetes is
  • your typical diet
  • whether your insulin treatment has recently been adjusted

Your doctor may recommend that you check your blood sugar level several times a day when you first start taking Lyumjev. When your blood sugar levels are managed, your doctor may tell you it’s OK to reduce the number of checks each day. Any time your dosage is adjusted, they might recommend checking your blood sugar levels more often for a little while.

Talk with your doctor to find out how often you’ll need to check your blood sugar levels.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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