NovoLog Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

NovoLog Injection (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. It starts working about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and keeps working for 2 to 4 hours. It is sometimes used together with a long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin. NovoLog is given by injection under the skin, into a vein, or through an insulin pump.

What is NovoLog Injection

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 Injection uses

• Used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
• Sometimes used together with a long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin

Benefits of NovoLog Injection

• Helps control blood sugar levels when used as part of a treatment plan that may include diet, exercise, and weight control

How NovoLog Injection works

NovoLog helps your body use sugar (glucose) by helping move it into your cells so it can be used for energy. It also stops your liver from making extra sugar.

NovoLog Injection dosage

Use NovoLog exactly as prescribed and follow all directions on your prescription label; do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. NovoLog is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. Use a different injection site each time and do not inject into the same spot two times in a row. Do not inject into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.

Eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after using NovoLog because it starts working very quickly.

If using an injection pen, use only the pen that comes with NovoLog and attach a new needle before each use; press and hold the dose button until the counter shows zero, then keep the needle in your skin and count slowly to six to make sure you get the full dose. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe or infusion pump.

If using an insulin pump, do not mix or dilute NovoLog with any other insulin; change the infusion pump tubing, catheter, and needle site every 3 days, and change the medicine in the reservoir every 6 days.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it; the medicine should be clear and colorless, so do not use it if it has changed color or has particles in it. Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Use a disposable needle or syringe only once, then dispose of it in a puncture-proof sharps container.

Since NovoLog is used before meals, you may not be on a timed dosing schedule; always eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes of using it, and do not use extra insulin to make up a missed dose.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• 10-mL vial
• FlexPen (prefilled pen)
• PenFill cartridge (for use with a reusable insulin pen)
• Solution for subcutaneous injection (can also be given into a vein or used with an insulin pump)

Side effects of NovoLog Injection

Common

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Weight gain
• Low potassium (hypokalemia)
• Swelling in hands and feet (fluid retention)
• Skin rash, itching, redness, or swelling
• Thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine (lipodystrophy)
• Injection site reactions such as pain, redness, or warmth
• Nausea, diarrhea, headache
• Pain in chest or abdomen
• Weak reflexes
• Infections such as fungal nail infection or urinary tract infection
• Sinus inflammation

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction: 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
• Heart problems: swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath
• Low potassium (hypokalemia): leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling
• Severe hypoglycemia: confusion, fainting, seizures, loss of consciousness or coma

Warnings and precautions

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy because high blood sugar can cause problems for both mother and baby. Insulin, including NovoLog, is a preferred treatment for diabetes during pregnancy.
• It isn't known for certain whether NovoLog passes into breast milk or if it affects a breastfed baby, although one source states it does pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• People with kidney problems may have a higher risk of low blood sugar while using NovoLog. It's usually safe to use, but your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar closely.
• People with liver problems may have a higher risk of low blood sugar while using NovoLog. It's usually safe to use, but your doctor may want to monitor your blood sugar closely.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or using medicines that contain alcohol while using NovoLog, since alcohol can cause low blood sugar and interfere with diabetes treatment.
• Insulin can cause low blood sugar, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how NovoLog affects you.
• NovoLog starts working very quickly, so you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after using it.
• Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person, as this can allow infections such as hepatitis or HIV to spread.
• Do not use NovoLog if you are currently having an episode of low blood sugar.
• Taking certain oral diabetes medicines (like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone) together with insulin may increase the risk of serious heart problems.
• People 65 years or older may have a greater risk of low blood sugar from this medicine.
• Mixing up insulin products or using the wrong dose can cause low blood sugar, so always check the label before each injection.

Storage

• Dispense in the original sealed carton with the enclosed Instructions for Use
• Store unused insulin in a refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)
• Do not freeze insulin and do not use insulin if it has been frozen
• Do not expose insulin to excessive heat or light
• Do not withdraw insulin into a syringe and store for later use
• Always remove and discard the needle after each injection from the NovoLog FlexPen or NovoLog FlexTouch and store without a needle attached
• 10 mL multiple-dose vial: 28 days at room temperature if not in use (unopened), until expiration date if refrigerated (unopened), 28 days if opened (refrigerated or room temperature)
• 3 mL single-patient-use PenFill cartridges, FlexPen, and FlexTouch: 28 days at room temperature if not in use (unopened), until expiration date if refrigerated (unopened), 28 days if opened (do not refrigerate)
• For insulin pump use, the total in-use time is 19 days, including 7 days pump in-use time
• Change the NovoLog in the pump reservoir at least every 6 days or according to the pump user manual, whichever is shorter, or after exposure to temperatures that exceed 37°C (98.6°F)

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as redness or swelling at the injection site, an itchy rash over your whole body, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, feeling like you might faint, or swelling of your tongue or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of heart problems, such as swelling, rapid weight gain, or feeling short of breath.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low potassium, such as leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, or muscle weakness.
• If you think you are overdosing, seek emergency medical attention or contact a poison control center right away, since insulin overdose can cause life-threatening low blood sugar.
• If you have symptoms of severe low blood sugar that feel life-threatening, call for emergency help immediately and do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.
• Stop using the medicine and get help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as breathing problems, a racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, or dizziness.

Alternatives

• Fiasp (Faster-Acting Insulin Aspart)
• Apidra (Insulin Glulisine)
• Humalog (Insulin Lispro)