Humalog / Humulin U500

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Ron AKA replied on Wed, Nov 4 2009 1:23 PM

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I am not a pumper, so hopefully others who do will post. My understanding is that there is really only two insulins used for pumping; Lilly Humalog, and Novo Nordisk Novolog. For reasons only drug companies can appreciate, Novo Nordisk calls Novolog by another name in Canada -- NovoRapid. But it is the same insulin as Novolog.

Diabetics who use Novolog and Humalog for a pre-meal bolus frequently report that they need about 10% less Novolog than Humalog. It is also slightly faster to take effect than Humalog. I believe the preferred insulin for pumping is Novolog (NovoRapid in Canada). I would think any doctor that works with insulin pumps would be prescribing NovoRapid, so that should not be hard to find. They also likely prescribe Humalog.

My understanding is that Humulin is not as rapid acting as Humalog, and likely would not be a good choice for pumping. I suspect you will have trouble finding someone who is prescribing it for pumping.

Just my thoughts, and again I am not a pumper, so will defer to those folk who have more experience. I noticed that you posted the same message at quite a few different forums. You may want to try this one:

http://www.insulin-pumpers.org/

Here is a link to a site:

Doctors Prescibing Pumps in Canada

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Khalannah replied on Wed, Nov 4 2009 9:03 PM

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Thank you so much for replying.  Here is what I have found out through multiple phone calls to Eli Lilly Canada, and Canada Health Services.

Humalog (USA name) / Humulin (CAN name) R U500 is used in pumps, one of my best friends is on it, but she's in the states.  I have extreme insulin resistance, and am taking mass amounts of insulin per day.  My body cannot absorb it fast enough for the amount I am taking.  The ONLY way to get this insulin is by special drug access program from Gvnt of Canada.   I have downloaded and printed the forms.  There has to be at least 1 other Canadian out there that is on this insulin, weather they are pumping or not, I just need a doctor familiar with it.  It doesnt matter what part of the country, just ANYWHERE in canada, as my pump trainer travels frequently all over the country.

Thanks very much for the info, I will make use of it!

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ruiannie replied on Wed, Nov 4 2009 9:03 PM

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Humalog / Humalin U500 is a concentrated insulin used for insulin resistance or extreme insulin needs such as greater than 100 units a day. I have been pumping with U500 for 3 years now.

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JoyceL replied on Fri, Nov 6 2009 7:11 AM

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There are other alternatives for insulin resistance. There is a Joslin's Affiliate in Bathurst Canada.  Perhaps, you can discuss other opetions with your provider

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Madman replied on Mon, Nov 9 2009 7:44 AM

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I'm a T2 and not real knowledable about insulin.

But would it be possible to combine one of the drugs used for T2's to help reduce the insulin resistance?  Maybe something like Actos?