My Humalog Insulin has recently changed to Mix 25. Certainly no warnings from GP. Yes, you should read the enclosed, small print leaflet, but who does. I have noticed, that I need to adjust my nighttime dose of insulin, Lantus. Unfortunately, as there was no prominent warning, I had a very bad night time hypo, and was attended by paramedics @ 05.10 in the morning, and they recorded my blood sugar level at 1.1 mmol. Reduced my Lantus next evening, result hypo and ended up hallucinating in a very bad way. Has anyone else had similar experiences to the changes to Humalog insulin? Also, has your GP Practice actively updated your Insulin Passpor?
-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
-
Learn more about joining the Diabetes UK Support Forum team here: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/volunteering-opportunities-why-dont-you-join-us.112862/
Recent Changes to Humalog Insulin
- Thread starter StuartB
- Start date
- Status
Robin
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Can you give us a bit more detail about what you were on before? I don’t think Humalog has changed, but they do several different types of insulin, a straightforward fast acting, the 25/75 mix, and a 50/50 mix. It sounds as if you might have been prescribed a different one from your usual, and I'm wondering if this was a deliberate change to your prescription, in which case it should have been discussed with you first, with advice on dosing, or it’s a prescribing mistake, or a dispensing mistake. I think you need to speak to your team as a matter of urgency.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi.
Sorry to hear you have had 2 bad hypos, that is really worrying but perhaps not surprising if your insulin has been changed from Humalog to a mixed insulin. Do you know if this was a dispensing mistake at the phamacy or if your repeat prescription has been changed? You need to take this up with the Dr immediately if it has been changed or go back to the pharmacy and complain if it is a mistake there and get the correct insulin.
Sorry to hear you have had 2 bad hypos, that is really worrying but perhaps not surprising if your insulin has been changed from Humalog to a mixed insulin. Do you know if this was a dispensing mistake at the phamacy or if your repeat prescription has been changed? You need to take this up with the Dr immediately if it has been changed or go back to the pharmacy and complain if it is a mistake there and get the correct insulin.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Just to clarify, you should not be taking a mixed insulin and a basal insulin together, because the mixed insulin is a combination of long and short acting insulin and the Lantus is also a long acting (basal) insulin so you are effectively double dosing your long acting insulin by using both. Have you been using the mixed insulin before each meal as you would Humalog? ie 3x a day? Again that is over dosing because mixed insulins are generally injected twice a day as a stand alone insulin regime, not combined with another insulin like Lantus.
This was a really dangerous mistake on someone's part and you should have been given instruction on how to use it if it was deliberately changed and also as mentioned, some consultation on the matter.
This was a really dangerous mistake on someone's part and you should have been given instruction on how to use it if it was deliberately changed and also as mentioned, some consultation on the matter.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
The Humalog hasn’t changed @StuartB I got some a few days ago - just like normal. However, it seems you’ve been prescribed a different type of Humalog either without being told or by accident. Have you got any of your old Humalog left? If not, I’d stop the Lantus until you can speak to someone and get the correct prescription.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If you order your prescriptions online or have access to them, you could see if your GP changed your Humalog. You could also check the prescription slip if it was put in the medication bag with your insulin. Personally, I think it’s more likely to be a mistake - a potentially serious one. You need advice asap.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Yikes @StuartB
This doesn’t sound right at all. Mix 25 has a completely different profile to Humalog, and it’s not meant to be used alongside Lantus, because the mix is a combination of slow and fast acting insulin together.
You should check what your Dr prescribed, and consider making a complaint.
Perhaps it would help to call the Diabetes UK Helpline tomorrow? 9-6 on 0345 123 2399.
This doesn’t sound right at all. Mix 25 has a completely different profile to Humalog, and it’s not meant to be used alongside Lantus, because the mix is a combination of slow and fast acting insulin together.
You should check what your Dr prescribed, and consider making a complaint.
Perhaps it would help to call the Diabetes UK Helpline tomorrow? 9-6 on 0345 123 2399.
@StuartB what a disaster mate, they have definitely issued the wrong insulin to you. Mix 25 does not get issued with long acting insulin such as Lantus.
I'm glad you are back from hospital, but that must feel like a very close call.
Please go back to you GP's in the morning to bin the mix and collect your correct humalog. Also explain to the GP and the Head pharmacist what has gone wrong. Incorrect prescriptions, medical mistakes, and human error can cost lives.
First thing in the morning.
Take care.
I'm glad you are back from hospital, but that must feel like a very close call.
Please go back to you GP's in the morning to bin the mix and collect your correct humalog. Also explain to the GP and the Head pharmacist what has gone wrong. Incorrect prescriptions, medical mistakes, and human error can cost lives.
First thing in the morning.
Take care.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It sounds like you’ve been given the wrong insulin at the pharmacy. My insulin always comes in a clear bag and I confirm it is the right one before leaving. It has been wrong a couple of times recently, I spoke to the pharmacist about it before leaving each time and the latest time he took some actions to stop it happening again
You need to call the GP and get them to urgently issue a new prescription for your normal humalog fast acting insulin and switch back to your normal one.
You need to call the GP and get them to urgently issue a new prescription for your normal humalog fast acting insulin and switch back to your normal one.
Bruce Stephens
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yes, mine does too and I always check it (and usually the pharmacist confirms with me that it's what I was expecting).
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yes they always say “is this what you are expecting” to me too. Last time the answer was no as they gave lantus in cartridges not disposable pens. They apologised and went and fixed it quickly
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Always worth checking while you are still at the counter. They can’t take it back if you’ve left the building I don’t think, even if it’s still sealed - something to do with chain of custody?
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Does your surgery offer an e-consult?
Please don't take any more of the mix 25 while you are waiting to get this resolved. Take your Lantus. Can you sit and wait at your GP's? Do you have the number for your Diabetes specialist nurse? The sooner the better to get your correct insulin.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Could you not return to the pharmacy that gave it to you? It has to be a mistake, and even if it’s not their mistake, they could sort it out for you with the GP. My pharmacist did this for me once when I had an insulin issue.
Last edited:
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
This is an urgent matter and you need to make the seriousness of the situation clear to whoever you speak to either on the phone or camping out on the doorstep until somebody pays attention.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I don’t think you recognise yourself the importance of taking the correct insulin, with not checking what you have received and not having resolved the issue yet. Since it’s the weekend you can’t just wait until Monday.
Take the insulin back to the pharmacy and ask them to check they dispensed the prescribed insulin since you do not normally take mixed insulin. You could also check the label on the box. If the pharmacy are not able to give the correct insulin, call 111 to get an urgent prescription arranged.
Pumper_Sue
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Have a look at the prescription paper that is enclosed with your prescription. It will show on there what was meant to be issued.
If you ordered online, then have a look at what the prescription was. Also look at your medical record if you have access and you will see what was issued there as well.
What you seem to fail to understand is the mistake could have killed you, so you need answers as to why it has happened.
If you ordered online, then have a look at what the prescription was. Also look at your medical record if you have access and you will see what was issued there as well.
What you seem to fail to understand is the mistake could have killed you, so you need answers as to why it has happened.
- Status