{"id":633618,"date":"2025-09-19T11:41:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T15:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633618"},"modified":"2026-04-03T14:18:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:18:53","slug":"humalog-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/humalog-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Humalog generic: Availability, cost, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Humalog<\/span><\/a> is a brand-name, fast-acting <\/span>insulin<\/span><\/a> approved to manage blood sugar levels in adults and children with <\/span>diabetes mellitus<\/span><\/a>. A generic version of Humalog, called insulin lispro, became available in the United States in 2019, with a list price roughly 50% lower than the brand-name. Based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Humalog is among the most commonly prescribed insulins, and both brand-name and generic versions are available at most pharmacies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Humalog generic availability<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nInsulin lispro<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FDA approval date of the generic version<\/b><\/td>\nMarch 4, 2019<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is there a generic for Humalog?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, generic Humalog became available in 2019, 23 years after brand-name Humalog was launched. Insulin lispro is the generic name for Humalog.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2020, Lilly, the manufacturer of Humalog, announced it was also authorizing the production of a generic Humalog Junior KwikPen and Humalog Mix 75\/25 KwikPen (insulin lispro protamine\/insulin lispro).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both the brand-name and generic versions are available at most pharmacies, and <\/span>CMS<\/span><\/a> data suggests that most people get brand-name Humalog rather than the generic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Admelog generic Humalog?<\/span><\/h3>\n

No, <\/span>Admelog<\/span><\/a> is not generic Humalog. It\u2019s another brand-name version of insulin lispro manufactured by Sanofi. It works just like Humalog and was released in 2017 as a more affordable Humalog alternative, but the two medications are made in different ways. This manufacturing difference is substantial enough to warrant a completely different brand name for Admelog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Humalog consists of insulin lispro derived from living cells, making it a \u201c<\/span>biologic product<\/span><\/a>.\u201d In contrast, Admelog was originally approved as a copy of insulin lispro, known as a \u201cfollow-on insulin.\u201d Admelog is now classified as a biologic.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to an article published in <\/span>Endocrine Practice<\/span><\/i><\/a> in 2018, it\u2019s impossible to copy the biologic product structure exactly, leading to differences in safety and efficacy. These potential differences mean Admelog is a separate product and can\u2019t be marketed as generic Humalog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Humalog?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Brand-name and generic Humalog have the same active ingredient, insulin lispro. They work the same way, have the <\/span>same therapeutic effect<\/span><\/a>, are given at the same dosage, and share <\/span>FDA approval<\/span><\/a> for the same indications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest difference is the cost and coverage,\u201d says <\/span>Gail Clifford<\/span><\/a>, MD, an Orlando-based physician. \u201cGenerics are typically cheaper and preferred on insurance formularies, but there is no clinical reason to prefer brand-name Humalog over generic insulin lispro. There is no meaningful difference in safety or potency.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jennifer Brown<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified obesity expert with <\/span>MyObesityTeam<\/span><\/a>, agrees. \u201cIn my mind, Humalog and its generic insulin lispro are, for all intents and purposes, identical.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There may be minor differences in inactive ingredients, like preservatives, fillers, or coloring agents, in generic versus prescription drugs. In rare cases, someone may need to take brand-name Humalog because they\u2019re sensitive to the preservative or filler in the generic version.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generics and brand-name medications are manufactured by different companies. Lilly makes Humalog, and generic insulin lispro is manufactured by a Lilly subsidiary, ImClone Systems. Medication often looks different based on the manufacturer, but there\u2019s no significant difference in the way Humalog pens and vials look compared to insulin lispro pens and vials. They\u2019re the same color and shape, so using one is exactly like using the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does generic Humalog cost?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Without insurance, generic Humalog (insulin lispro) retails for around $78 per 1, 3 mL of 100 unit\/mL pen (about a month\u2019s supply if using 10 units per day). Brand-name Humalog retails for around $116 per 1, 3 mL of 100 unit\/mL pen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, most people can save even more money regardless of whether or not they have insurance:<\/span><\/p>\n