Admelog (insulin lispro) is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve blood sugar levels in:

This drug comes as a subcutaneous injection. Your doctor may also give Admelog as an IV injection.

Admelog is typically used as a long-term treatment.

Here are some fast facts about Admelog:

  • Active ingredient: insulin lispro, which is a biologic*
  • Drug class: rapid-acting insulin
  • Drug form: liquidsolution for injection comes as a:
    • vial for use with a syringe or insulin pump
    • prefilled SoloStar injection pen

Like other drugs, Admelog can cause side effects. Read on to learn about possible common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Admelog, see this article.

* Admelog is a biosimilar version of Humalog.

Admelog can cause side effects, some of which are more common than others. They may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Admelog in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Admelog use. This list doesn’t include all the possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Admelog’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Admelog include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Admelog and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Admelog may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all the possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Admelog’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while using Admelog, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Admelog include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Admelog may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Do side effects of Admelog differ between the SoloStar pen and vial forms?

No, the side effects of Admelog shouldn’t vary based on the form. The SoloStar pen and vial forms of Admelog can both cause the same side effects. You’re not more likely to have side effects with either form.

For information about the possible side effects of both forms of Admelog, see the “Mild side effects of Admelog” and “Serious side effects of Admelog” sections above.

Is Admelog safe?

Yes, Admelog is typically safe when used as prescribed by your doctor. Like all medications, it can sometimes cause serious side effects. However, these are rare.

Clinical trials have found Admelog to be safe and effective for improving blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers Admelog to be just as safe and effective as its parent drug, Humalog. (Admelog is a biologic drug that’s a biosimilar of Humalog.)

If you have questions about the safety of Admelog, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Admelog have any long-term side effects?

Most of Admelog’s side effects get better quickly, either on their own or with treatment. However, if you have lipodystrophy with Admelog, this side effect could last for a long time.

Lipodystrophy is a change in the fatty tissue under your skin. It may cause your skin to become thicker, lumpy, dented, or pitted. You may develop lipodystrophy if you frequently inject Admelog in the same place. It usually gets better if you avoid injecting Admelog in that area, but it might take several months.

To avoid lipodystrophy, it’s important to inject Admelog into a different place each time you use it. To read more about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Admelog may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for the drug.

Low level of potassium

Admelog can sometimes cause a low level of potassium in your blood. The medical term for this is hypokalemia. It’s not known how often hypokalemia occurs with Admelog. This side effect can also happen with other forms of insulin.

Symptoms of a low level of potassium can include:

If a low potassium level isn’t treated, it can lead to serious problems such as an irregular heartbeat or trouble breathing. It can even be life threatening.

You may have a raised risk of low potassium if you use Admelog with other drugs that can cause this side effect. Examples of these include:

What you can do

Before starting treatment with Admelog, be sure to tell your doctor about all your current medications. If needed, your doctor may order blood tests to check your potassium level from time to time while you use Admelog.

If you have a risk of low potassium, your doctor may recommend eating plenty of high potassium foods while you use Admelog, such as bananas. This can help prevent your potassium level from becoming too low.

If you have symptoms of low potassium while using Admelog, see your doctor right away. But if your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number. If you have a low potassium level, your doctor will likely prescribe medication to increase it.

Low level of blood sugar

Admelog helps improve blood sugar levels, but it can sometimes cause a low level of blood sugar. This is called hypoglycemia. It’s a common side effect of all insulin medications, including Admelog.

Low blood sugar can happen suddenly and be mild or severe. It can quickly become serious or life threatening if not treated, so it’s important to know what symptoms to look out for. Note that symptoms of low blood sugar may vary from person to person, and some may not have symptoms at all. Your own symptoms may also change over time.

Early symptoms of low blood sugar may include:

  • irritability
  • hunger
  • dizziness
  • sweating
  • shakiness
  • nausea
  • blurred vision
  • anxiety
  • heart palpitations

Symptoms of severe low blood sugar may include:

  • trouble concentrating
  • confusion
  • weakness
  • slurred speech
  • coordination problems, which may cause trouble walking
  • trouble swallowing
  • loss of consciousness

Very low blood sugar can lead to seizures, coma, and can even be life threatening.

You’re more likely to have low blood sugar with Admelog if you have it without a meal, eat less than usual, or eat less than you planned. It can also occur if you exercise more than usual or have a high dose of Admelog. Drinking alcohol with Admelog may also increase your risk of low blood sugar.

What you can do

Before you start using Admelog, talk with your doctor about how to avoid low blood sugar and how to treat it if you have symptoms. Also talk with your doctor about when to check your blood sugar level.

If you have early symptoms of low blood sugar, you should eat or drink something containing sugar as soon as possible. This should be something that your body can quickly absorb. Examples include:

  • glucose tablets or gel
  • fruit juice or soda (not diet or sugar-free versions)
  • candies or jellybeans
  • a tablespoon of honey or sugar

If you have symptoms of severe low blood sugar, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. If you have trouble swallowing or lose consciousness, it’s important that you don’t have (and no one gives you) sugar by mouth. This could cause you to choke. Instead, you should have a glucagon medication as soon as possible if your doctor has prescribed it as part of your diabetes treatment plan.

If you frequently have low blood sugar while using Admelog, talk with your doctor. They may review your diabetes medications and may adjust your dosages.

Lipodystrophy

You may have lipodystrophy while using Admelog. Lipodystrophy is a change in the fatty tissue under your skin that can make your skin appear lumpy or dented. Lipodystrophy is a common side effect of all insulin medications, including Admelog.

With lipodystrophy, the fatty tissue under your skin may become thicker or thinner. This can cause symptoms such as:

  • hard or rubbery areas of skin
  • lumpy skin
  • dents or pits in your skin

You’re more likely to develop lipodystrophy if you frequently inject Admelog in the same place.

What you can do

To help prevent lipodystrophy, each time you have an injection of Admelog it’s important to inject it in a slightly different place in the area you use. Rotating your injection site in this way can also help prevent injection site reactions, which are another possible side effect of Admelog.

If you have Admelog using an insulin pump, it’s important to change the site where your infusion set is inserted at least every 3 days.

If you notice any symptoms of lipodystrophy, don’t inject Admelog in those areas. Lipodystrophy usually get better in a few months if you avoid injecting the drug in the affected area.

If you have skin changes that are bothersome or don’t go away, talk with your doctor.

Swelling in your ankles or feet

Admelog can sometimes cause fluid retention that can lead to swelling in your ankles or feet. This side effect is called peripheral edema. It’s a common side effect of all insulin medications, including Admelog.

Note that some complications of diabetes can also lead to swelling in your ankles and feet. These complications include poor blood circulation, heart problems, and kidney problems.

What you can do

If you have swelling in your ankles or feet, it may help to:

  • exercise regularly
  • avoid sitting for long periods of time
  • wear compression socks
  • raise your feet up on a cushion while you’re sitting or lying down

If you have swelling that doesn’t improve with these measures, see your doctor. Also see your doctor if you have swelling that’s severe, getting worse, or spreading.

If you use Admelog with Avandia (rosiglitazone) or Actos (pioglitazone), see your doctor right away if you have swelling in your ankles or feet. Using Admelog with these drugs can sometimes cause or worsen heart failure. Swollen ankles or feet can be a symptom of heart failure.

Weight gain

You may have weight gain when you first start using Admelog. Weight gain is a common side effect of all insulin medications, including Admelog.

Insulin helps your body move sugar out of your blood and some of this sugar gets stored as fat. This can lead to weight gain.

What you can do

If you’re concerned about weight gain from Admelog, talk with your doctor about ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. Your doctor, as well as your pharmacist or nutritionist, can help you develop an eating and exercise plan that works for you. And they can help you with weight loss if needed.

If you use Admelog with Avandia (rosiglitazone) or Actos (pioglitazone), see your doctor right away if you suddenly gain a lot of weight. Using Admelog with these drugs can sometimes cause or worsen heart failure. Sudden weight gain can be a symptom of heart failure.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Admelog can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Admelog. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Admelog. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Low blood sugar. Admelog can cause or worsen low blood sugar levels. If you frequently have low blood sugar, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Admelog. If you currently have low blood sugar, don’t use Admelog because it will make it worse. This could be life threatening. See “Low level of blood sugar” in the “Side effect details” section above to learn more.

Low potassium. If you have a low level of potassium in your blood, Admelog could make it worse. If you take certain other medications with Admelog, you may also have an increased risk of low potassium. Examples of these medications include corticosteroids and certain diuretics. If you have low potassium or you’re at risk of this problem, your doctor may check your potassium level from time to time while you have Admelog treatment.

Kidney or liver problems. If you have kidney or liver problems, you may have a raised risk of low blood sugar with Admelog. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent and manage low blood sugar.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Admelog or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this drug. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol use with Admelog

Both alcohol and Admelog can cause a low blood sugar level. If you drink alcohol during Admelog treatment, you’re more likely to have low blood sugar.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much you can safely drink with Admelog. Your doctor may recommend that you check your blood sugar more often if you drink alcohol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Admelog

Below is information about pregnancy and breastfeeding during Admelog treatment.

Pregnancy. It’s not known if Admelog is safe to have during pregnancy. However, studies didn’t find any increased risk of miscarriage or harm to a developing fetus when another drug containing insulin lispro (the active drug in Admelog) was used during pregnancy.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetes is managed with insulin during pregnancy. Not managing your blood sugar levels well during pregnancy can have serious risks for you and your baby. If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about whether Admelog or another form of insulin is the best way to manage your diabetes.

Breastfeeding. It’s not known if Admelog passes into breast milk, but it’s generally considered safe to use during breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your diabetes treatment. Your insulin requirements are likely to change during breastfeeding, so your doctor may adjust your dosage.

Admelog causes some common side effects, but these are usually mild and easily managed. As with all medications, some serious side effects are also possible.

If you’d like to learn more about Admelog, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.