A new ultra-rapid acting insulin from Eli-Lilly, Lyumjev (LOOM-jev), is now available. Lyumjev contains Humalog along with extra ingredients, absorbing faster and reducing post-meal spikes in blood sugar. Tiny amounts of treprostinil, an analog of prostacyclin, and sodium citrate were added to relax blood vessels near the injection or infusion site, speeding up its action. It is unknown which of these additives may be causing some pumpers’ site issues, discussed below.
You can inject Lyumjev at the start of a meal, but taking it as suggested by Lilly after a meal makes no sense unless the meal has really slow carbs. Bolusing at the start of a meal is really convenient when you don’t know exactly when your food will arrive. Mealtime flexibility and peace of mind increase, while post-meal high glucose episodes disappear.
Lyumjev joins Fiasp from Novo Nordisk as another fast (or ultra-rapid) acting insulin on the market. Both are faster than the rapid-acting Novolog, Humalog, and Apidra. Although not yet approved for use in pumps, reports from users indicate the Lyumjev, unlike Fiasp, might be more stable in pumps. However, a loss of action and site issues are being reported. The use of a Lyumjev pen for occasional high readings may be one solution. If you are using or have used Lyumjev in your pump, share your experience in the comments section below.
PK Versus PD
Lyumjev shows up quicker in the blood (its pharmacokinetics) and is out of the system faster than Humalog, as illustrated by the first graph.
To set your duration of insulin action (DIA) or insulin action time (IAT) in your pump or bolus calculator, use the pharmacodynamic graph below. Rather than how soon it appears or disappears in the blood, pharmacodynamics shows how long Lyumjev will actually lower your glucose. FYI, the 15 unit time gives the most accurate time for setting DIA or AIT. For more information, visit Insulin Stacking or see our article on Confusion about DIA.
Pricing
Available in U-100 and U-200 pens or U-100 vial, Lyumjev is sold at the same $287 list price as Humalog. The Lilly Insulin Value Program caps the price of insulin at $35 per month for insurance coverage. Find more information at Insulin Affordability. For those without insurance or eligible financial assistance, Lyumjev will be just as unaffordable as most other insulins on the market.
Thinking of changing from humulin s for which there us no comparison…
I’ve been using Lyumjev in my t slim since Sept 2020. I have noticed pain during bonuses. I guess since I’ve been a type 1 for 47 years I find the pain negligible. It has been a game changer for me. It lowers my blood sugars quickly and keeps it under control better than Humalog. I love it.
Only been using it for 1 week but so far have exactly the same thoughts. It’s excellent at stopping post prandial highs and lowers a hyper much more quickly than hunalog. I’m using a t-slim and gave gas T1D for 43 years
Been using it in my medtronic 780g pump for 2 weeks and I’ve never had more control or better bg readings.
I do also have issue with the injection sites, meaning I now change my set every 2 days otherwise a lump forms and the injection site gets sensitive.
100% worth the short term tingle for the years of better control I will now have.!!!
hi, been using lyumjev for three days now , notice a difference from my previous use of humolog for the past six months. been on fast acting insulin for 2.5 years now. but i am type 2 and not type 1.
I just started using lyumjev in my tslim pump for two weeks. It’s great. I have yet to be above 180, which was usually my starting point. It’s a little painful where the port is, and I’ve noticed when i change out my tubing, the port site bleeds now when i take it out. I’m assuming because of the sodium citrate.
I use the Omnipod system , (5 years) lyumjev seems to have more pain at injection sites than humalog, it works much better on blood sugar control however . I use slightly less insulin also .
Absolute game changer of insulin. I usually change site every 4 days at the earliest but lyumjev does make my site become sore after 2 days or so. I just use it as a guide of when to change it and once it’s approved for use in pumps, physician can write scripts for site changes ever 2-3 days.
I was able to try Lyumjev and did notice pain when injection through pen/syringe and/or OmniPod.
It is amazing at preventing the Blood Glucose spikes – but it didn’t seem as “stable” or dependable for the length of time I could use it when at room temperature – I would for sure get 2 weeks no problem; but it would seem to lose its effectiveness anytime after 2 weeks (it may be fine until the end of the 3rd week but then it’s like I would be injecting water – no impact. Of course, that’s also keeping in mind I didn’t subject it to major/extreme temperature fluctuations (didn’t leave in the summer heat in the car; etc.)
I was very excited about it, but not as consistent/dependable for me (and I didn’t care for the pain caused from injecting)
Also it is nice to have as another option for folks-
I’m a type 1. Have had T1D for about 13 years. In Feb. I started seeing a new doctor. He put me on Lyumjev and Tresiba. I’m April I began my Tandem T:slim pump.(love hate relationship) unfortunately at that time my insurance would no longer cover portion of Lyumjev and had to go to the next best which was Fiasp. Fortunately I’ve switched to my wife’s insurance and that covers Lyumjev!!! Im a happy camper and will start Lyumjev in my pump tomorrow. Fiasp has been ok. There are a lot of days where I feel like it has 0 effect of my glucose numbers. I felt I had the best control of my glucose while on Lyumjev/Tresiba. I’ll give an update in a few weeks.
I have used Lyumjev since September 2021 in a Tandem CIQ insulin pump. This far I have not experienced any issues just better results at meal times
I haven’t tried Lyumjev yet, but I have always found that Humalog loses its potency by the time I have about 1/5th of a vial (maybe a bit more) left. I have always preferred Novolog because I never had that issue, but my insurance dictates what insulin I am covered for, not my doctor, so Humalog is what I am forced to use. Reading the comments, it appears others have had the same issue with Humalog so I really don’t have a desire to try Lyumjev.
Just completed a trial vial of Lyumjev. I noticed substantial improvement in my BG control; however, I found the side effects moderately uncomfortable. Injection sites became sore and lumped within day; and I experienced a burning sensation anytime I a bolus or correction. Use a Tandem t-slim control IQ pump w/Dexcom.
I’d echo this: Lyumjev worked amazingly for preventing post-meal spikes but unfortunately did burn/sting quite a bit at the site — so bad that sometimes I’d be clutching it or scream out in pain. Thinking of mixing it 50/50 with Humalog and seeing how that goes, and would love to hear anyone else’s tips on how to minimize this! For reference, I used it in my Tandem Control-IQ on my stomach.
I’d also echo what others have noted: Lyumjev worked amazingly for preventing post-meal spikes but unfortunately did burn/sting quite a bit at the site — so bad that sometimes I’d be clutching it or scream out in pain. Thinking of mixing it 50/50 with Humalog and seeing how that goes, and would love to hear anyone else’s tips on how to minimize this! For reference, I used it in my Tandem Control-IQ on my stomach.
I recently switched from Humalog to Lyumjev and use a Medtronic pump… my findings after 6 months are the Lyumjev’s effectiveness shuts off after two days and I’m summarizing that it’s about the room temperature status it achieves during that full time wearing of the pump. Literally… it just drops dead on me so I need to change out the reservoir sooner than with Humalog ultimately using more insulin to keep my numbers in range. I also use more canula’s and hoses… so there goes the price to stay alive. I like the two days it serves but I don’t care for it quitting on me in such a short time. These issues did not appear with Humalog. Heads up… and I can feel it going into my port during Bolus… bee sting kind of feeling. There you have it from my experience. Good luck all you ” sweet people”.
I have been using Lyumjev for almost two years now I’m my Tandem T-slim pump with Dexcom G-6 glucose sensors. My A1C has been stable between 5.3 to 5.6. WOW, this is great. I’m into my 50th year as a type 1, “brittle diabetic”, and Lyumjev is wonderful. However, I do really feel the burn/ bee sting whenever I take a bolus of 3 or greater. This hurts. K hope they can eliminate the pain.
Just been switched to lyumjev and been using for about two months. The burning and pain is intolerable and any benefits of sugar control are negated by the pain from the dose and the continued pain up to four hours after. It’s like being punished for being diabetic – sorry, but not for me. Good luck to anyone else using it.
Hi Pipold, People differ regarding the degree of burning with Lyumjev. Those with this sometimes mix Lyumjev with Humalog 50:50 in the syringe used to fill their reservoir. This might be worth a try. John