Novolog Insulin Aspart

Product Information:

NovoLog begins working within 15 minutes after the shot, peaks within 1 hour, and its effects last from 2-4 hours. “Insulin is a hormone that allows the body’s cells to take up glucose from the blood, thus reducing blood glucose levels.”

It is prescribed for the improvement of blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It may also be used with a long-acting insulin and/or an intermediate-acting insulin.

How should I use NovoLog?

Use NovoLog as directed by your doctor and as directed on the label and package instructions provided with the medication. Do not use this drug in greater or smaller quantities than directed for longer than directed.

NovoLog should be administered under the skin or through the vein using the IV. You will be taught how to give yourself the shots if you will be using NovoLog from your own supply. Do not self-administer this drug if you will not be using the proper methods with needles and other equipment that needs to be disposed of.

Your healthcare provider will be able to demonstrate to you the sites of your body where NovoLog should be injected. Alternate sites each time you give an injection. Do not give an injection in the same place two times in a row.

You should not put this drug into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or scarred or has a hard lump.

After taking the NovoLog dose, a meal should be consumed within 5 to 10 minutes.

Using an injection pen: Only use the injection pen that accompanies the NovoLog insulin supply. Before each administration, attach a new needle to the device. Refrain from transferring the insulin to a syringe or infusion pump.

If you are taking this medication with an insulin pump, you should NOT mix/combine NovoLog with another type of insulin. The infusion set tubing, infusion set cannula, and needle site on your body should be changed every 3 days. The medication in your infusion reservoir should be changed every 6 days.

Never share an injection pen or syringe. Even if the needle is changed, sharing injection pens or syringes increases the risk of passing infections or diseases between people.

Use a disposable needle or syringe only once. Follow state or local regulations on disposing of used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-resistant “sharps” disposal container available at pharmacies. Find out where and how to dispose of this container properly. Store this container away from children and pets.

Your physician may prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to be used in case you experience severe hypoglycemia and are unable to eat and drink. It is important that your family and close loved ones understand how to give you this injection in the case of a medical emergency.

Additionally, monitor for symptoms of high blood sugar, including thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, headaches, and fatigue.

NovoLog is only one part of the treatment regimen that may include changes in eating, exercise, weight management, blood glucose monitoring, and specific medical treatment. You should strictly follow the instructions of the physician.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then store the needle and syringe in a puncture-proof “sharps” container. Check state or local regulations for disposal of the sharps container. Store the sharps container out of reach of children and pets.

Wearing a diabetes medical alert tag in case of emergency. A medical care provider who treats you should be informed about your diabetes.

Warnings:

This insulin acts quickly and starts working very fast. Therefore, you need to have your meal about 5 to 10 minutes after using the insulin.

Never share an injection pen and/or cartridge with anyone else. Using injection pens and/or cartridges can transfer hepatitis or HIV viruses from person to person.

NovoLog should NOT be used during an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

NovoLog side effects:

Call your doctor right away if you have:

heart problems – swelling, rapid weight gain, difficulty breathing; or

low potassium – leg cramps, constipation, irregular heart rhythm, fluttering in your chest, thirst, urination, numbness, or tingling, weakness or limpness.

Some common side effects of NovoLog include:

low blood sugar;

weight gain; “low potassium”; Swelling in your hands and feet; skin rash, itching, redness, or swelling;
or A lump or depression of the skin where you gave the medicine.