My husband has been using Humalog for over 10 years. Recently our insurance provider required him to switch to Novolog. His endocrinologist told him that he shouldn’t notice any difference. He started the Novolog on Friday and battled with high blood glucose all weekend long. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you have any suggestions?
@cgregg hi Christina, many will reply that novolog works better, worse, or whatever, the drugs Humalog and Novolog are similar. That’s why the Endo said what they said.
It scares me that you said high blood sugar all weekend. While not impossible you should at least ask for a replacement for the Novolog he has in case it was accidentally frozen or mishandled though his blood sugar would be 500+ if it didn’t work at all
You can always start from the beginning and retest carb ratio and sensitivity numbers for Novolog they may be a little different.
Other things such as stress or illness can make it look coincidental to changing insulin- so try not to rush to conclusions.
I am lucky I guess, I can change between Novolog and Humalog with zero differences
I had the same problem, when I went to pickup my Humalog refill, I was given Novolog. My insurance had switched me after 25 years on Humalog. I came home and researched it online and also called my Endo. It was identical is what I was told, although some T1 reviews said they had problems. Over the next few weeks on it I had erratic highs when I had always been stable. The nurse was able to get my insurance to again cover Humalog for me. It’s all individual, on how your body reacts to it
Hi Christine @cgregg, although Novolog and Humalog are made by totally different processes [one made from virus and the other from brewer’s yeast], they work almost identically and should be interchangeable.
Over the years, I began using Humalog when it was approved by FDA April of 1996, I’ve switched back and forth between the two and I’ve found minimal difference. His high glucose reasons could be related to some other factor.
When my insurance formularary changed, I always got a letter about two months beforehand to permit discussion with doctors; I suspect that your husband also received such notification; he could still get his Humalog but would probably have a higher co-pay.
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I have used both with no remarkable differences, save one.
When I moved to Phoenix, my endo switched me to Novolog. The reason is the preservative is more heat tolerant verses Humalog. BG control improved immediately. Since moving to Cincinnati, I have been back on Humalog without any differences.
Have been on Novolog for over 25 years without any noticeable difference than the Humalog that was previously used. I like Novolog which is manufactured by a Danish company Novo Nordisk. My doctor initially recommended Novolog to me and I have had good success. Highs and Lows will be with you always for whatever the reason - I asked my endo. why I have either Highs and Lows as I watch myself quite frequently. His reply was that “I may need to take Diabetes 101 over again” to find out why. Novo Nordisk is now getting ready to produce a new insulin called Flasp which is in test now and will react faster that the current Novolog. Am not sure if it will be recommended for everyone to replace Novolog.
Eli Lilly announced that it would introduce a cheaper, generic version of its insulin called Lispro and it will be sold at a price that is 50% cheaper than Humalog.
You can try and see if it is available.
I’ve experienced this! Mostly with long acting though. I was taking Toujeo and started to get awful, wonky numbers. I switched to Lantus (after an uphill battle with the doctor) and everything evened out. I’m now switching from Lantus to Basaglar (which are suppose to be the same) due to insurance and again my numbers are off. By a lot. It’s been 3 weeks and I’ve had to increase my dose by more than 10% and it still not where I want it.
I will have to change from Novolog to Humalog soon (also insurance mandated), but wanted to do basal insulin first. I tend to be really sensitive to this stuff, which the doctors have a hard time believing. He might need to adjust dose or it might be that the insulin doesn’t work with his body. Or he could have a bad pen or be sick. I would say to try adjusting the dose a bit and give it more time. I usually give things a month.
Also, is he on a CGM? When I switch insulin I also start a new sensor just to be safe.
Good luck!