The FINANCIAL — Humalog 200 units/mL KwikPen (insulin lispro 200 units/mL; U-200), the first and only concentrated mealtime insulin analog in the U.S., is now available in pharmacies, Eli Lilly and Company announced on August 18. Humalog U-200 KwikPen is a prefilled pen containing a concentrated formulation of Lilly’s rapid-acting insulin Humalog (insulin lispro 100 units/mL) to improve glycemic control in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is intended for people who are already taking mealtime insulin.
Humalog U-200 KwikPen holds twice as many units of insulin (600 units vs. 300 units) as the U-100 formulation in the same three-milliliter cartridge volume, offering patients a pen that lasts longer, which facilitates fewer pen changes every month. This may help patients who require higher daily doses of mealtime insulin fit their treatment into their lives, according to Lilly.
“This is an important new option for many people with diabetes,” said David Kendall, M.D., vice president, Medical Affairs, Lilly Diabetes. “Like everyone else, people with diabetes have busy lives. More rapid-acting insulin in a single pen may help patients worry less about running out when their plans change unexpectedly.”
“For nearly 20 years, the Humalog brand has offered people who require mealtime insulin an array of options to meet their needs,” Kendall said. “Lilly is pleased to offer another choice to help people with diabetes improve their glycemic control.”
The most common side effect of Humalog is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that may be severe and cause unconsciousness, seizures and death. Humalog U-200 KwikPen delivers the same dose in half the volume of U-100 mealtime insulin pens, with no dose conversions required, and can be dialed in one-unit increments to a maximum of 60 units per injection.
As with other mealtime insulin pens, Humalog U-200 KwikPen must be used within 28 days after initial use, even if insulin remains. Unused pens should be stored in the refrigerator, but once a pen has been used for the first time, it should be kept at room temperature.
Discussion about this post