Question 1

What is Insulin Lispro used for?

Accepted Answer

Insulin Lispro replaces or supplements natural insulin to control blood sugar in diabetes.

Question 2

Is there a generic for Insulin Lispro?

Accepted Answer

No. Insulin Lispro is brand-only with no generic equivalents currently in market.

Question 3

How much does my plan pay for Insulin Lispro?

Accepted Answer

Across 329 Part D plans, Insulin Lispro averages $10.16/unit (NADAC). Lowest available: $2.40/unit. Highest in distribution: $20.33/unit.

Question 4

Is Insulin Lispro on the FDA shortage list?

Accepted Answer

Insulin Lispro has been discontinued by its manufacturer(s).

Question 5

What drug class is Insulin Lispro in?

Accepted Answer

Insulin Lispro is in the Insulin Analog class. See related drugs in this class at /class/insulin-analog.

Question 6

What is the brand name for Insulin Lispro?

Accepted Answer

Insulin Lispro is sold under brand names: ADMELOG, HUMALOG, Insulin Lispro Protamine and Insulin Lispro Injectable Suspension.

Question 7

Is ADMELOG the same as Insulin Lispro?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ADMELOG is a brand name for Insulin Lispro. The generic version is identical in active ingredient, dose, and FDA-approved indications. Pricing differs substantially: generic Insulin Lispro typically prices well below brand ADMELOG.

Question 8

How much does Medicare spend on Insulin Lispro per year?

Accepted Answer

Medicare Part D spent $1.35B on Insulin Lispro in CY2024, across 5.2M prescriptions and 2.0M unique beneficiaries.

Question 9

Why is there a spread between low and average NADAC for Insulin Lispro?

Accepted Answer

The 4× spread between lowest NADAC ($2.40/unit on generic NDCs) and average NADAC ($10.16/unit across all NDCs) reflects that brand-tier NDCs are still in distribution at higher prices. Most plans haven't migrated utilization toward the generic NDCs yet. For plans, this is the structural source of within-molecule savings opportunity.

Question 10

Why is Insulin Lispro on Tier 3 across most plans?

Accepted Answer

Insulin Lispro appears on Tier 3 in 1388 plan-NDC pairs and Tier 1 in only 420. The reason is structural: PBM rebate guarantees on brand-tier placement reduce the PBM's incentive to move the molecule to a lower tier even when generic competition exists. Moving to Tier 1 is typically possible only at plan-year reset or via contract renegotiation.

Question 11

What can I switch to instead of Insulin Lispro?

Accepted Answer

Same-class alternatives include: Diluent, Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Injection. Whether substitution is clinically appropriate depends on patient indication, dose schedule, and contraindications — that is a P&T committee decision. The federal data shows cost and competition; clinical equivalence is not asserted here.

Question 12

When was Insulin Lispro first FDA approved?

Accepted Answer

Insulin Lispro received its first FDA approval on 1996-06-14.

Insulin Lispro (ADMELOG)

$1.35B in CY2024 Part D spend5.2M claims · 2.0M beneficiaries · 329 plans surveyed

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