Question: I am now required by Coventry to use Novolog instead of Humalog. I have been a type 1 for 55 years. If they are equal in quality and etc. Why are they cheaper? It does not seem possible to create an equal at half the price.
Brief Answer:
Yes it can be so
Detailed Answer:
This is not uncommon at all in medical practices in XXXXXXX
Insurance companies strike sound deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers to settle at a reasonable price for their products to be preferred over the competition, for the patients they cover under their plans.
It is quite likely you could still insist on being given Humalog although you would likely have to pay at higher co pay. In some instances this may not be possible at all, and you may have to entirely bear the cost out of pocket. All such matters vary form plan to plan and company to company.
However, the reassuring part is that scientifically and clinically and even by authoritative professional and regulatory bodies, Novolog and Humalog have been deemed equivalent for all practical purposes. Hence they are interchangeable so to speak. So it is not as if you are receiving an inferior product just because it costs half the other one. In fact, it is nice you are getting another quality product at half the price without any compromise on your health.
Rarely, an individual may be allergic to one and not to the other in which case the body gives an indication to this fact by way of a reaction.
So the bioequivalence studies determine they are the same? If so why do I have to take more insulin to get the same blood sugar level. I do average testing my blood sugar level a minimum of 8 to 10 times a day.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Biologically they are different molecules, but their pharmacokinetic and pharmaco dynamic profiles are similar. Simply put, their clinical effects are virtually identical and most, if not all, endocrinologists worldwide use them interchangeably in their patients. But that does not mean we keep switching back and forth. It is always recommended to choose one and work with that insulin ie keep adjusting till desired blood glucoses are attained.
Your endocrinologist will guide you on refining your regimen with the new Insulin.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
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Is Novolog As Effective As Humalog?
Brief Answer:
Yes it can be so
Detailed Answer:
This is not uncommon at all in medical practices in XXXXXXX
Insurance companies strike sound deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers to settle at a reasonable price for their products to be preferred over the competition, for the patients they cover under their plans.
It is quite likely you could still insist on being given Humalog although you would likely have to pay at higher co pay. In some instances this may not be possible at all, and you may have to entirely bear the cost out of pocket. All such matters vary form plan to plan and company to company.
However, the reassuring part is that scientifically and clinically and even by authoritative professional and regulatory bodies, Novolog and Humalog have been deemed equivalent for all practical purposes. Hence they are interchangeable so to speak. So it is not as if you are receiving an inferior product just because it costs half the other one. In fact, it is nice you are getting another quality product at half the price without any compromise on your health.
Rarely, an individual may be allergic to one and not to the other in which case the body gives an indication to this fact by way of a reaction.