NovoLog

Generic name: Insulin Aspart
Drug class: Insulin

Usage of NovoLog

NovoLog is a fast-acting insulin that starts to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and keeps working for 2 to 4 hours. Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

NovoLog is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

This medicine is sometimes used together with a long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin.

NovoLog is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.

NovoLog is also used to treat type 1 diabetes in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

NovoLog side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to NovoLog: redness or swelling where an injection was given, itchy skin rash over the entire body, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

heart problems - swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or

low potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common NovoLog side effects may include:

low blood sugar;

weight gain;

low potassium;

swelling in your hands and feet;

skin rash, itching, redness, or swelling; or

thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking NovoLog

You should not use NovoLog if you are allergic to insulin aspart, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

NovoLog is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old. This medicine should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age.

To make sure NovoLog is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease; or

low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or you become pregnant.

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How to use NovoLog

Use NovoLog exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

NovoLog is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject NovoLog. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Do not inject this medicine into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.

After using NovoLog, you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes.

If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with NovoLog. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe or infusion pump.

If you use this medicine with an insulin pump, do not mix or dilute NovoLog with any other insulin. Infusion pump tubing, catheters, and the needle location on your skin should be changed every 3 days. Change the medicine in the reservoir every 6 days.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. This medicine should be clear and colorless. Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle or syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to anyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, medications, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your insulin dose or medication schedule.

NovoLog is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) NovoLog:

Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or

Store at room temperature and use within 28 days.

Storing opened (in use) NovoLog:

Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use within 28 days.

Store the cartridge or injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 28 days. Do not store the injection pen with a needle attached.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wear a diabetes medical alert tag in case of emergency. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have diabetes.

Warnings

NovoLog is a fast-acting insulin that begins to work very quickly. After using it, you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes.

Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.

You should not use NovoLog if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

What other drugs will affect NovoLog

Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Disclaimer

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