Lispro Side Effects
The American Diabetes Association reports that more than 23 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes, a disease marked by increased blood sugar levels in the body. Diabetes occurs when your body is unable to produce enough of the sugar-lowering hormone insulin or when your cells becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Because of this, insulin injections are a common and effective treatment for diabetes. Traditionally, there was little choice in insulin, making patients rely upon forms of the hormone derived from pigs or other animals. With the advent of Lispro (brand name Humalog), diabetics now can use an insulin formulated to mimic the actions of insulin naturally produced in the human body. Despite its effectiveness, Lispro is not for everyone, as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.
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Skin Reactions
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Some of the most common side effects of Lispro involve your skin, particularly the areas where you inject the drug. Many patients experience warmth, redness, swelling, tenderness or itching, especially when first beginning a Lispro treatment regimen. It is also possible to experience unusual sensations, such as feeling of pressure, pain, burning, coldness or numbness. Blistering, bleeding, skin infections, lumps and scarring are additional dermatological side effects of Lispro injections.
Warning: Hypoglycemia
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At times, use of Lispro results in drops in blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Although an expected, occasional part of diabetes treatment, hypoglycemia poses serious risks if left untreated, including seizures, loss of consciousness and even death. Because of this, it is important that you monitor your blood sugar levels frequently using a glucometer, according to the instructions of your doctor. Familiarize yourself with the common symptoms of hypoglycemia to spot potential problems before they begin. Hypoglycemia causes a number of signs, such as confusion, blurred or double vision, heart palpitations, tremors, anxiety, sweating or hunger.
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Warning: Allergic Reactions
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Though rare, Lispro has the potential to cause serious allergic reactions in some patients, particularly those who are unaccustomed to any type of insulin therapy. The earliest sign of an allergy to Lispro is often the appearance of an itchy skin rash all over your body. In some cases, the reaction progresses, causing wheezing, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, drops in blood pressure and sweating. Reactions of this type are known as anaphylaxis, a dangerous type of hypersensitivity that occurs when your body mistakes Lispro as a threat. In response to this perceived threat, your immune system produces histamine, triggering the reaction. Infrequently, anaphylaxis causes shock and even death. Because of this, seek prompt medical attention if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction at any point during your Lispro treatment.
Drug Interactions
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There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Lispro. For example, sulfa antibiotics, MAOI antidepressants, heart drugs like ACE inhibitors, and pancreatic inhibitors like octreotide increase the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes when combined with Lispro. Certain medications for heart arrhythmia called beta-adrenergic blockers can mask signs of hypoglycemia, putting you at risk for serious complications from drops in blood sugar levels. If you are taking any of these drugs, your doctor is likely to change your medication or dosage levels when you begin taking Lispro.
Considerations
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While Lispro is considered safe for use during pregnancy, it is unknown whether or not the drug poses risks to breastfeeding infants. Because of this, doctors avoid use of Lispro in nursing mothers whenever possible. There is a potential risk for adverse reactions when you combine Lispro and animal insulins together for one injection. It is common, however, for Type 1 diabetics being treated with Lispro to utilize animal insulins separately during other times of the day to keep sugar levels within normal range. If you have a history of liver or kidney dysfunction or disease, you may not be able to use Lispro.
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