Maximum Dose of Humalog (Insulin Lispro) Per Injection
There is no specific maximum dose limit for Humalog (insulin lispro) per injection, as dosing should be based on individual patient needs and glucose response. The dose is determined by the patient's blood glucose levels, meal content, and insulin sensitivity.
Dosing Considerations
- Initial dosing for mealtime insulin lispro is typically 4 units per meal, or 0.1 units/kg per meal 1
- For basal insulin therapy, the initial dose is usually 10 units or 0.1-0.2 units/kg of body weight 1
- Insulin lispro should be administered 15 minutes or less before meals for optimal glycemic control 1
- Dose adjustments should be made based on self-monitoring of blood glucose levels 1
Available Formulations
- Standard U-100 formulation (100 units/mL) in vials and prefilled pens 1
- Concentrated U-200 formulation (200 units/mL) for patients requiring large doses of insulin 1, 2
- The U-200 formulation is particularly indicated for patients who require more than 20 units of prandial insulin per day 2
Clinical Applications
- In type 1 diabetes, insulin lispro is typically used as part of a basal-bolus regimen with multiple daily injections 1
- For type 2 diabetes, lispro can be used when basal insulin alone fails to achieve glycemic targets 1
- Premixed formulations like Humalog Mix50 and Mix25 are available for specific patient needs 3, 4, 5
Important Considerations
- Insulin doses must be individualized based on glucose monitoring results 1
- When adding prandial insulin, consider decreasing the basal insulin dose by the same amount as the starting mealtime dose 1
- Concentrated insulins like U-200 lispro allow delivery of larger doses with smaller injection volumes 1, 2
- Metformin should generally be continued when initiating insulin lispro as part of combination therapy 1
Practical Dosing Guidance
- Dose titration is important; adjustments may be necessary in both mealtime and basal insulins based on blood glucose patterns 6
- For patients requiring very large insulin doses, the U-200 formulation provides a more concentrated option with the same pharmacokinetic profile as U-100 2
- The rapid onset of action (5 minutes) and early peak effect (1-2 hours) of insulin lispro must be considered when determining timing of injections 1
While there is no absolute maximum dose per injection, practical considerations such as injection volume and patient comfort may influence dosing decisions, particularly for patients requiring very high insulin doses.