From Humalog to Novalog

[statdeac]

I just changed jobs and insurance plans, etc. Short story is that Humalog is not on the formulary and Novalog is. I have used Humalog for 6 years with great success. Is there really any difference between the two?

I am thinking about making the switch to keep down costs and am also thinking this might be the pefect time to give the In Duo a try.

For those of you who may have used both types of rapid-acting insulin, can you give me any insight as to what I can expect?

Thanks! :)

[JediSkipdogg]

I switched about 4 months ago and have not noticed any difference. Supposedly Novolog kicks in faster but has a longer tail, although most is still used around the 3-4 hours mark. So personally, they are the same, just a different name.

[Chris Graham]

I am chaning insurances soon too. The switch for me will be from Novolog to Humalog. My nurse told me they are interchangable.

[Dewey]

I've used both & found each to do their job well. Novolog does have a longer tail & seems to serve better in warmer climates (doesn't lose potency like Humalog can). At first when I switched, I noticed a slight decrease in the need of Novolog, but that subsided over time. Either way you go, I think you'll be pleased - Pleased with Humalog, cause it's worked so well for you, and Novolog, cause it's longer lasting & better priced...

[statdeac]

Dew, I never thought about the longer lasting part with a rapid insulin, but I can see how that would be a factor for a pumper such as yourself. ;)

As for me sitting here in the "dark ages", I rely on Lantus for that.

[Dewey]

Dew, I never thought about the longer lasting part with a rapid insulin, but I can see how that would be a factor for a pumper such as yourself. ;)

As for me sitting here in the "dark ages", I rely on Lantus for that.
Well, longer lasting also means that it doesn't lose its potency (i.e. when in transit, etc.). One of the main reasons I switched was because the mail order Humalog I'd get was losing potency, and I experienced some severe highs as a result (at least severe for me - 300s). After dealing with this issue for a few, I tried Apidra (& Hated it). I then decided to opt for Novolog. Have been using it & have been happy since.

I still love Humalog & would go back if I could get it locally (& for a better price :****mate: ), but the potency issue, coupled with high sugars, has really turned me away from it.

[jrcskb]

I do not live in a warm climate yearround; however, I have noticed that my control has not been as good in the 3rd day of use of a site (not a definite pattern but a difference anyway).

I always sort of attributed it to my pump (I just recently changed to a new pump - but prior to that it was a MM 508 - which my doctor described as a '75 Buick) or some other issue (bad carb counting or the site being occluded, etc.). I wonder whether I might change from Humalog, if there is an "interchangeable" insulin that keeps its potency longer. Thanks for the thoughts. I will approach the issue with my m.d.

[gettingby]

My asst at work switched from Novolog to Humalog and she said that when she had lows while on Novolog, they seemed stronger than they do on Humalog.

[jen_slc]

My asst at work switched from Novolog to Humalog and she said that when she had lows while on Novolog, they seemed stronger than they do on Humalog.:dito: I do feel Novolog is much more potent - the hypos seem to come on much faster and stronger since I switched to Novolog ~6 months ago after being on Humalog for 10+ years. It definitely works faster in me, lasts longer and prevents my post-meal bgl from spiking as high as it did under Humalog. I had to decrease my doses quite a bit in the first few weeks after switching but then had to raise them back up to almost the same level.

[Eri's mom]

Eri was switched to novolog last year...it seemed to work faster, but now has evened out a bit.
Really, not TOO much of a change :)

[Mich]

I decided to switch from Humalog to Novolog because of potency issues. My CDE mentioned that she thought Novolog was the first insulin approved for use in the pump.

Now that I am on the pump, I find that Novolog as a drip reduces my total daily dose by a few units. Not sure if it is the fact that it's Novolog (rather than Novolog + Lantus) or the fact that it's a drip. My guess would be the second variable.

I used the In Duo for about a year. The small bit of memory was such a nice feature, it is the thing that made me finally decide to switch to the pump.

Mich

July will be my 6th month of pumping with Cozmo