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What is it?
It is a type of rapid-acting insulin used to treat diabetes. It was the first analogue insulin developed and was approved for use in the United States in 1996. It works slightly faster than regular human insulin and has a shorter duration of action. This makes it a useful option for managing blood sugar levels around meals.
How it Work?
It works similarly to naturally occurring insulin in the body but has been genetically engineered to act more rapidly. It is created by switching two amino acids within the insulin molecule to reverse the sequence at the lysine-28 and proline-29 positions. This change leads to it forming fewer and weaker dimers than naturally occurring insulin. Dimers are pairs of insulin molecules joined together and are less active than the single insulin molecules. The reduced dimerization helps Admelog dissociate quickly from its injection site into the bloodstream. The single Admelog molecules are then free to act faster to lower blood sugar levels compared to regular human insulin.
What are the Different Types of Insulin Lispro?
While the basic Admelog molecule acts faster than regular human insulin, there are also variations available in different formulations:
– Admelog suspension: This is a mixture of Admelog and protamine that acts more slowly over several hours. It provides both a quick initial action as well as a secondary peak to prevent late hypoglycemia.
– Admelog mix: This contains rapid-acting Admelog as well as extended insulin for a combined faster and slower action. Common brand names are Humalog Mix and Novolog Mix.
– Admelog analogs: Researchers have developed next-generation analog insulins that are potentially even faster acting than lispro, such as insulin aspart and insulin glulisine. However, lispro remains one of the most widely used rapid-acting insulin types.
How is Insulin Lispro Used?
Admelog is prescribed for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes where patients require insulin injections. It works best when taken within 15 minutes of starting a meal. The advantages of using Admelog rather than regular insulin include:
– More accurate timing: It can be injected right before eating rather than 30 minutes ahead as with regular insulin. This allows better control of post-meal blood sugars.
– Less risk of hypoglycemia: The faster onset and shorter duration of action reduce the chances of delayed low blood sugar episodes after eating.
– Flexible lifestyle: The rapid action profile allows more freedom with meal patterns and timing which regular insulin doesn’t provide.
Admelog is usually injected subcutaneously into the arm, thigh, or abdomen using a small insulin pen or syringe. It starts lowering blood sugar levels within 5-15 minutes and peaks at 30-90 minutes after injection. The effects then dissipate over 2-4 hours. Proper timing of meals, doses, and blood glucose testing is still required.
Does Insulin Lispro Effectively Lower Blood Sugar?
Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated Admelog effectiveness at controlling post-meal blood sugar levels when compared to regular human insulin:
– A 2001 meta-analysis of 28 clinical trials found lispro achieved significantly better early post-meal glucose control without an increased risk of hypoglycemia.
– A large randomized trial in 2008 showed patients using lispro had lower average blood sugars after breakfast, lunch, and dinner than those using regular insulin.
– A 2009 study of 150 patients published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found mean post-lunch glucose reduction was nearly 30 mg/dL greater with lispro versus regular insulin.
– Reviews have consistently concluded lispro provides clinically and statistically superior post-prandial glycemic control to regular insulin in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.
While it doesn’t match newer rapid-acting analogs, Admelog remains an established and effective option for reducing post-meal hyperglycemia when dosed correctly around food intake. Combined with adequate lifestyle management, it allows improved glycemic management for many diabetics.
Is Insulin Lispro Safe to Use?
Overall, Admelog has a good safety profile when administered as directed:
– The risk of hypoglycemia is actually lower than with regular insulin due to the fast peak action and offset. With proper dosing and glucose monitoring, serious hypoglycemia can be avoided.
– Allergic reactions to insulin lispro are rare. Mild injection site reactions like pain, redness or itching may sometimes occur but are usually short-lived and minor.
– Long-term safety has been well-established over many years of clinical evidence and post-marketing surveillance data. No significant increased health risks have been identified with lispro use.
However, as with all insulin therapies, care must still be taken to avoid side effects from over- or under-dosing, such as hypoglycemia from excess insulin or hyperglycemia from insufficient doses. Proper education on safe and effective administration is important for insulin users. With appropriate precautions, i Admelog has demonstrated an excellent safety profile.
In Conclusion
Admelog was the first rapid-acting insulin analog developed for improved post-meal glycemic control. Since its introduction, numerous well-designed clinical trials have proven its effectiveness at lowering blood sugar levels after eating compared to regular insulin. In addition, insulin lispro’s short duration and flexible timing allows for minimized side effects like hypoglycemia. While newer options now exist, it remains one of the best choices for rapid glycemic coverage around meals with demonstrated safety in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Admelog represents an important therapeutic advancement that has stood the test of time and still helps manage diabetes for many individuals worldwide.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
