Humalog or Novolog?

[Oradev]

Humalog or Novolog?

Which one do you use and what are your experiences with both. I currently used Humalog b/c I feel that I get a full 4 hours out of it. With Novolog, I would only get around 3.5.

Adam

[JediSkipdogg]

I use Novolog because it's a cheaper co-pay on my insurance. I found the two about the same in terms of time. I really liked Apidra when I tried it, but found it worked too fast for food and I'd have to combo bolus everything or risk going low.

[xMenace]

I am using Humalog now, but I will be trying Novolog soon. Read this article please. Index of Diabetes Technology pages: Insulin Pumps, Insulin Pump Comparison, Blood Sugar Meters, continuous glucose monitoring devices, noninvasive monitoring, diabetes software. (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_technology/dia.php) They make some excellent points which my own testing confirms:
However, users can get tricked into thinking their insulin is faster. They may have taken a bolus and gotten low right away because a previous bolus was still working or the basal is set too high. They may have taken a bolus for a meal but gone very low a couple of hours later because they overestimated the carbs in the meal or the carbs had a low glycemic index.

The first thing to do is ensure your basals are as flat as possible. When you can do this and profile a KNOWN GI meal over several hours, you can come close to estimating your duration. One of the problems is that duration of foods is not something we profile, so it's always a guess. So far I find the 6.5 hour estimate more accurate.

My pharmacist syas Novo is faster starting and is less prone to crystalization. Conversation with endo is pending.

[Cyborg]

I've tried all 3 and I prefer the Novolog...

[Funnygrl]

I use Novolog cause that's what my doctor prescribed and I've had no reason to change it.

[statdeac]

Toss up between Novolog and Humalog, which Novolog wins on insurance coverage. Apidra was inconsistent for me.

[poodlebone]

I use Humalog in my pump because I was using Humalog while on injections. When I started pumping I didn't bring any insulin to my training session so my CDE got a vial of Novolog. I used that for the first 3 days but when it came time to change everything out I went back to Humalog. So, I really can't compare the two at all.

I have never had a problem with using Humalog in my pump (no clogs, crystallization etc) and have had no problems with Humalog breaking down in the pump during the hot summer months. I also don't change my reservoir every 3 days anymore, only when it's empty. That's about every 3 set changes/9 days.

The co-pay for any/every insulin is the same with my insurance so cost isn't a factor for me. My CDE tried to get me to switch to Novolog because she said Humalog isn't approved for the pump but I see no reason to change.

[kgm0612]

I've only used Novolog..........injections and now pumping.

Karen

[jenet]

I switched from Humalog to Novolog last summer when my insurance plan changed and Humalog became much more expensive as a non-preferred drug. I can't say I noticed any difference in action, although I did notice my sites stopped itching (which I had always thought was the set). Apidra isn't covered by my insurance; I would have to pay full retail.

cheers,
j

[Kate H]

I use Humalog in my pump because I was using Humalog while on injections.

My CDE tried to get me to switch to Novolog because she said Humalog isn't approved for the pump but I see no reason to change.


Humalog recently got approval for use with the pump. It was a matter of going thru the hoops to get approval.... nothing else.

[Kate H]

My pharmacist syas Novo is faster starting and is less prone to crystalization. Conversation with endo is pending.

recent studies have indicated that Humalog is faster than Novolog, with a shorter duration

PubMed was where the study was from

[RLK]

I started out on Humalog and used it for about 9 years before recently switching to Novolog. For me, they take about the same amount of time to begin working, but the Novolog peaks sooner. This is very helpful with my post-meal spiking, so I prefer the Novolog.

[owlyn]

Humalog. I would switch to Novolog because of its availability in a cartridge instead of just a disposable pen, but no other reason. I haven't done it yet. If Lantus ever gets released in a cartrdige that fits the Novopen, I'll be on it faster than a room gets dark after switching off the light.

[Cyborg]

recent studies have indicated that Humalog is faster than Novolog, with a shorter duration

PubMed was where the study was from

I noticed just the opposite actually. Do you have a link to the studies?

[JungleJim]

Used Humalog for years, and probably my first year on the pump. My endo switched me to Novolog because she knew I was outside a lot during the summer and said that Novolog was more heat resistant. I can't tell any difference in the way they affect me.

[Oradev]

Anyone notice Novolog having more of a tail? Or lasting longer?

[karen]

Humalog for me, because that is all I know.

I do eat carbs and I like the quick peak of the humalog to cover my spikes.

[jen_slc]

Anyone notice Novolog having more of a tail? Or lasting longer?When I used Novolog, I found that it lasted longer than Humalog. Overall, it worked better for me than Humalog did, but once Apidra came around, I switched over to that and am getting better results with that than Novolog. Oh, and for those whose insurance companies don't cover, or don't cover enough of, Apidra, I noticed on my latest shipment of supplies that the cost of my Apidra was reduced 50%! I wonder if this means something is starting to happen with regard to insurance companies and their coverage of Apidra.... whatever the reason, I like it! Maybe you guys who are interested in it should check with your insurance to see if you have any changes in coverage or changes in tier level drugs. :dontknow:

[poodlebone]

Oh, and for those whose insurance companies don't cover, or don't cover enough of, Apidra, I noticed on my latest shipment of supplies that the cost of my Apidra was reduced 50%! I wonder if this means something is starting to happen with regard to insurance companies and their coverage of Apidra.... whatever the reason, I like it! Maybe you guys who are interested in it should check with your insurance to see if you have any changes in coverage or changes in tier level drugs. :dontknow:

I just checked my insurance and they cover Apidra the same as Humalog & Novolog - $10 co-pay for a month's supply, whether that's 1 vial or 5. I'm happy with Humalog but it's nice to know that if I develop any problems with it in the future I can try something else without having to fight for it.

[Kate H]

I noticed just the opposite actually. Do you have a link to the studies?


sorry, i subscribe to the PubMed articles for diabetes as i'm a 'medical student' and i just delete the newsletter once i have read it

go to PubMed and sign up as a medical student (a private citizen doesn't get to read the neat stuff)

[dmbfan_21]

I used to use Humalog until the insurance company said they wouldn't cover that. Now I use Novolog. The Novolog didn't take much time to get adjusted to. It does work a little differently, but I haven't had any problems since I started using it about 6 months ago.

[panda1076]

I used Humalog when I was first diagnosed, but I switched to Novolog because only Novolog offers a pen where it increments by half units. Now I use a pump (OmniPod actually) so I could switch back but I didn't see any reason to.

[Gary_W]

I've been using Novorapid for years. It's generally been very good and tends to last for around 4 hours in me if I inject in my arms, quite a bit longer if I go with abdomen.

It's OK apart from breakfast time, where I spike badly for a couple of hours. Hence I am now trying Apridra. My first shot of that was with dinner tonight and it was very impressive. It is obviously very early days, but I ate a huge plate of mashed potato and my BG only was only up by 1 point (18 in your language) at the 1 hour mark. After that, it came down again and has been stable all evening. It'll be fantastic if it does that consistantly, so fingers crossed. It'll be interesting to see how well it copes with the toast and fruit tomorrow AM :)

Gary

[kazza]

Novolog for me but they're both good. All i have to do is remember what Regular was like back in the olden days - lol - and i think we're blessed to have better insulins now available. having said that, i'd still love to try Apidra.
i'd have to agree with Cyborg - i too have noticed less duration with Novolog than with Humalog but maybe that falls under the 'we're all different' heading, who knows?

[sofaraway]

novorapid for me, it's all i've ever used, it seems to work well for me, so I've never had any reason to try any other fast acting. I think for me that it's virtually all gone by 2.5 hours, if i test at 2 hours after eating and I'm 4.2-4.5 (75- 81) then I know I'm not going to drop any further.

[KittyCat70]

Hi! I use Humalog because Novolog does not work very well for me. Humalog is very fast acting for me and I love it due to my life style of dashing here and there all day!

It is a good idea, if we switch insulin, to give our metabolic system time to respond. The average for most people is about 3 days to see if the blood glucose levels settles down or become worse!

[spirosway]

I use humalog and i thing very good!!!Also i thing much more people use novorapid!!!;)

[KickStart101]

I've only used Humalog and it's always
worked Good for me. Still Good for the
4 hrs.