Lyumjev (insulin lispro-aabc) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for adults and children with diabetes. Lyumjev comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous or intravenous injection. The dosage can vary, depending on several factors.

Lyumjev is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

Lyumjev is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called rapid-acting human insulin analogs. Lyumjev isn’t available in a biosimilar version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Lyumjev, including its strengths and how you’ll take or receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Lyumjev, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Lyumjev provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Lyumjev, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. If you’re receiving the intravenous (IV) injection of Lyumjev, your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Below is information about Lyumjev’s form, strengths, and dosages.

Lyumjev form

Lyumjev comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection or an IV infusion. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to inject your subcutaneous dose at home. If you’re receiving a Lyumjev IV infusion, it’s always given by a healthcare professional.

Lyumjev strengths

Lyumjev comes in two strengths: 100 units per milliliter (mL), or U-100, and 200 units per mL, or U-200.

The 100-unit/mL strength is available in the following forms:

  • 10-mL, multiple-dose vial (that can be taken using a syringe or an insulin pump)
  • 3-mL KwikPen (a prefilled injection pen)
  • 3-mL Junior KwikPen (a prefilled injection pen that can inject whole or half units of insulin)
  • 3-mL Tempo Pen (a prefilled injection pen that can connect to devices and transmit data)
  • 3-mL cartridge (that can be used with some insulin pens)

The 200-unit/mL strength is only available in a 3-mL KwikPen.

All 3-mL forms of Lyumjev are for single-person use only and should not be shared.

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for diabetes

Doctors may prescribe Lyumjev to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes. You’ll likely take Lyumjev with an intermediate- or long-acting insulin to manage your diabetes.

If your doctor prescribes Lyumjev for your type 1 or type 2 diabetes, they’ll calculate your dose based on many factors. Those may include your body weight, blood sugar levels, diet you eat, and amount of exercise. Typically, you’ll take the dose by subcutaneous injection when starting each meal or within 20 minutes of starting one.

If this dose isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend adjusting your dose to treat your diabetes.

You may also be able to get your dose of Lyumjev U-100 using an insulin pump. In this case, your doctor or pharmacist can verify the best dose for you.

You can also receive a dose of Lyumjev U-100 intravenously through a vein in your arm. In this case, you’ll get your dose in a hospital. Your doctor or pharmacist can calculate your dose.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Lyumjev is approved to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes in children.

If your child’s doctor prescribes Lyumjev, they’ll calculate your child’s dose based on many factors. These may include their body weight, blood sugar levels, diet, and amount of exercise. Typically, they’ll take their dose when starting each meal or within 20 minutes of starting a meal. If this dose isn’t working, your child’s doctor may recommend adjusting their dose.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Lyumjev is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lyumjev is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Lyumjev, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Lyumjev dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your age
  • your body weight
  • how your body responds to Lyumjev
  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Lyumjev to treat
  • the form of Lyumjev you take
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Lyumjev
  • your liver or kidney function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Lyumjev dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as other diabetes treatments or drugs that affect your blood sugar levels.

Your doctor may also need to adjust your dosage if you have liver damage or kidney disease.

In addition, they may also adjust your dose with other factors, such as if your physical activity increases, your diet changes, or if you have a short-term illness.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Lyumjev comes as a solution in:

  • a single-person-use cartridge
  • a single-person-use KwikPen
  • single-person-use Junior KwikPen
  • single-person-use Tempo Pen
  • a multiple-dose vial

A single-person-use device means that the medication should only be used for one person. You should not share these medications with anyone else, even if they’re also taking the same drug.

One way Lyumjev is given is as a subcutaneous injection. With a subcutaneous injection, you’ll inject the medication under your skin to give yourself your dose of Lyumjev. Your doctor will give you your first dose. Then, they’ll show you (or your caregiver) how to do it. Make sure to inject Lyumjev according to your prescribed instructions.

You’ll store Lyumjev in the refrigerator. Once you open Lyumjev, you can store it at room temperature for up to 28 days.

You can self-inject Lyumjev into your abdomen, upper arm, thigh, or buttock. If you use your abdomen, do not inject Lyumjev within 2 inches of your belly button.

Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Lyumjev. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.

You may also take Lyumjev using an insulin pump. In this case, you’ll take Lyumjev U-100 only. You’ll also need to change the drug in the pump reservoir every 9 days or less, depending on the pump. As a backup option, you should know how to self-inject the drug with a syringe. If the pump works ineffectively, you’ll need to be able to inject your dose.

Additionally, you may get a dose of Lyumjev intravenously through a vein. In this case, the medication will be given by a doctor or another healthcare professional. You’ll receive your dose in a hospital where you can be monitored.

If you have questions about how to take Lyumjev, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you miss a dose of Lyumjev, you should check your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar is high, your doctor may recommend taking another dose of Lyumjev. But if your blood sugar is typical, your doctor may recommend skipping your missed dose.

If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Lyumjev than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Lyumjev can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Lyumjev

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Lyumjev. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Lyumjev.

Is the dosage of Lyumjev similar to the dosage of Fiasp or Humalog?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Lyumjev, Fiasp (insulin aspart), and Humalog (insulin lispro) are all rapid-acting injections taken at mealtime.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. The dose will also differ based on other factors, such as your body weight and blood sugar levels. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Lyumjev to start working?

Lyumjev starts to work as soon as you take your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But you can check your blood sugar to see how well the drug is managing your levels. Lyumjev should begin working within 15 minutes of your dose. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Lyumjev treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lyumjev for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Lyumjev without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Lyumjev that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Lyumjev. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Lyumjev: For information about other aspects of Lyumjev, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Lyumjev, see the Lyumjev prescribing information.
  • Details about your condition: For details about diabetes, see our diabetes hub.

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.