Comprehensive medication guide to Humalog including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$35/month copay for most commercially insured patients; the Lilly Insulin Value Program automatically caps costs at $35/month at participating pharmacies. Generic insulin lispro is typically on a preferred formulary tier. Medicare Part D patients pay no more than $35/month under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$25 per 10 mL vial for authorized generic insulin lispro; $72–$86 for brand-name Humalog; 5-pack of KwikPens approximately $92 at list price. Discount cards and Lilly's Insulin Value Program can reduce costs to $35/month or less.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Humalog is the brand name for insulin lispro, a rapid-acting insulin analog manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. First approved by the FDA in 1996, it was the first rapid-acting insulin analog available in the United States. Today, it is one of the most widely prescribed insulins worldwide.
Humalog is used to control blood sugar spikes that occur after meals in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It begins working within approximately 15 minutes of injection, peaks at about 1 hour, and lasts 2 to 4 hours. It is available in 10 mL vials (U-100), KwikPens (U-100 and U-200), and the Junior KwikPen for pediatric patients.
An authorized generic version, insulin lispro, is available from an Eli Lilly subsidiary at a list price of $25 per 10 mL vial — the same molecule with identical pharmacokinetics at a fraction of the brand price. Biosimilar alternatives include Admelog (Sanofi) and Lyumjev (Lilly's ultra-rapid formulation).
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Humalog is a biosynthetic insulin analog created by swapping two amino acids — lysine and proline — at positions B28 and B29 on the human insulin molecule. This modification prevents insulin molecules from clumping into tight hexamers, allowing them to break apart into absorbable monomers faster after injection. The result: Humalog reaches the bloodstream in about 15 minutes vs. 30 minutes for regular human insulin.
Once in the bloodstream, insulin lispro binds to insulin receptors on cell surfaces, activating GLUT4 glucose transporters that allow glucose to enter muscle and fat cells. It also signals the liver to absorb and store glucose as glycogen and inhibits the liver's glucose production. Together, these actions rapidly lower blood glucose levels after meals.
Beyond glucose transport, insulin has anabolic effects: it promotes protein synthesis in muscle, inhibits fat breakdown, and converts excess glucose into fat. These actions are identical to natural human insulin — Humalog is just engineered to do them faster at mealtime.
100 units/mL (U-100) — 10 mL vial
Standard vial used with insulin syringes; most widely stocked form
100 units/mL (U-100) — KwikPen (3 mL)
Prefilled pen delivering 1–60 units per injection; convenient for on-the-go use
200 units/mL (U-200) — KwikPen (3 mL)
High-concentration pen for patients needing large doses; do not transfer to syringe
100 units/mL (U-100) — Junior KwikPen
Half-unit dosing for children or patients requiring precise small doses
100 units/mL (U-100) — 3 mL cartridge
For compatible reusable pen devices; 3 mL vials discontinued in 2024
75% insulin lispro protamine / 25% insulin lispro — Humalog Mix 75/25
Premixed formulation for simplified mealtime + intermediate-acting coverage
50% insulin lispro protamine / 50% insulin lispro — Humalog Mix 50/50
Premixed formulation with higher rapid-acting proportion
As of 2026, Humalog is not listed as an active national shortage by the FDA or ASHP. The national supply of Humalog 10 mL U-100 vials and all KwikPen formats has largely stabilized following the 2024 manufacturing disruptions. However, the 3 mL vial format was permanently discontinued, and some local pharmacies continue to experience intermittent stockouts.
Patients who encounter difficulty filling their Humalog prescription at their usual pharmacy should check multiple pharmacies — including independent pharmacies, which often have stock when chain pharmacies don't. The generic insulin lispro (same molecule at $25/vial) may be more readily available at some locations than the brand-name Humalog.
The fastest way to find Humalog in stock near you is to use medfinder, which calls pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones have your specific insulin formulation ready to fill — saving hours of phone calls.
Humalog is not a controlled substance, so any licensed healthcare provider with prescriptive authority can prescribe it. No special DEA registration or certification is required. The following providers routinely prescribe Humalog:
Humalog is also widely available through telehealth. Since it's not a controlled substance, licensed telehealth providers can prescribe Humalog in all 50 states after a virtual visit. Many telehealth platforms specialize in diabetes management, including Teladoc, MDLive, Sesame, and Ro.
No. Humalog (insulin lispro) is not a scheduled controlled substance under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It does not require a DEA registration to prescribe, and there are no legal restrictions on the number of refills that can be written. Any licensed healthcare provider — including primary care physicians, internists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe Humalog without any special authorization.
Humalog is available only by prescription (it is not available over the counter), but this is because it is a biologic drug requiring individualized dosing by a healthcare provider — not because it has abuse or diversion potential. Telehealth providers can prescribe Humalog in all 50 states without restrictions.
The most common side effects include:
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
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Admelog (insulin lispro, Sanofi)
Biosimilar with same active ingredient; 1:1 dose conversion; available as vials and SoloStar pens; covered under Sanofi's $35/month savings program
NovoLog / Fiasp (insulin aspart, Novo Nordisk)
Most common alternative; nearly identical action profile; 1:1 dose conversion; NovoLog FlexTouch pen still available (vials/FlexPens discontinued Dec 2025)
Apidra (insulin glulisine, Sanofi)
Rapid-acting alternative with similar profile; available as vials and SoloStar pens; approved for ages 4+; less commonly prescribed = may have better availability
Lyumjev (insulin lispro-aabc, Eli Lilly)
Ultra-rapid Lilly formulation; same core insulin molecule; faster onset allows post-meal dosing; adults only (18+); covered under Lilly Insulin Value Program
Prefer Humalog? We can find it.
Pramlintide (Symlin)
majorContraindicated for mixing in same syringe; must be administered as separate injections
Beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol)
moderateMay mask hypoglycemia symptoms (shakiness, rapid heartbeat); sweating may still occur; use extreme caution
Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone)
moderateSignificantly raise blood sugar; patients on steroids often need substantially higher insulin doses
Alcohol
moderateCan increase or decrease blood glucose unpredictably; reduces liver glucose output, increasing hypoglycemia risk especially on empty stomach
GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity)
moderateEnhance blood sugar-lowering effect; Humalog dose may need reduction when starting or increasing a GLP-1 agonist
ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril)
moderateIncrease insulin sensitivity; monitor blood glucose and adjust Humalog dose as needed
Thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone, rosiglitazone)
moderateCombined with insulin, can cause fluid retention and worsen heart failure; avoid in patients with active heart failure
Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide >50 mg/day)
minorCan raise blood glucose by reducing potassium and impairing insulin secretion; monitor and adjust dose
Humalog (insulin lispro) has been a cornerstone of diabetes management since 1996. Its rapid onset, precise mealtime action, and widespread availability make it one of the most important medications in diabetes care. The 2023 price reductions — including the $25 generic and $35 monthly cap — have made it more accessible than ever.
The 2024 supply disruption was a reminder that even essential medications can be difficult to find. Patients and providers should know their options: the authorized generic insulin lispro, biosimilar alternatives like Admelog, and tools that help locate available stock quickly.
If you're struggling to find Humalog at your local pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have your specific insulin formulation in stock and ready to fill — so you can spend less time searching and more time focused on your health.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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