Insulin Aspart
What Is Insulin aspart?[edit | edit source]
Insulin aspart (NOVOLOG) is rapid acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus.
What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
- Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting, human insulin analog that is FDA approved for the treatment of type-1 and type-2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycemic control in adults and children.
How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]
- Insulin aspart regulates the metabolism of glucose.
- It promotes the storage and inhibits the breakdown of glucose, fat, and amino acids.
- Insulin lowers blood glucose by increasing peripheral glucose uptake, particularly in the skeletal muscle and fat.
- Insulin aspart also inhibits gluconeogenesis (hepatic glucose production), lipolysis (breakdown of fat/lipids to fatty acids), and proteolysis (breakdown of proteins into amino acids).
- Maximum glucose lowering effects are seen within 1 to 2 hours and endure for 3 to 5 hours.
- Insulin aspart is equipotent to regular insulin with a faster onset and shorter duration of action.
- Thus insulin aspart is preferred for mealtime insulin coverage as it can be administered up to every 4 hours.
How is this medicine manufactured?[edit | edit source]
- Endogenous insulin is naturally produced by the pancreas.
- Insulin apart is manufactured through recombinant DNA technology using Saccharomyces cerevisiae expression system.
Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]
This medicine cannot be used in following condition:
- During episodes of hypoglycemia
- In patients with hypersensitivity to NOVOLOG or one of its excipients,
Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]
- Insulin aspart was approved for medical use in the United States in 2000.
- In 2018, it was the 65th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 12 million prescriptions.
How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]
Subcutaneous injection
- Inject subcutaneously within 5-10 minutes before a meal into the abdominal area, thigh, buttocks or upper arm.
- Rotate injection sites within the same region from one injection to the next to reduce risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis.
- Should generally be used in regimens with an intermediate- or long-acting insulin.
Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion (Insulin Pump)
- Administer by continuous subcutaneous infusion using an insulin pump in a region recommended in the instructions from the pump manufacturer.
- Rotate the injection sites within the same region from one injection to the next to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis.
Intravenous Administration
- Dilute NOVOLOG to concentrations from 0.05 unit/mL to 1 unit/mL insulin aspart in infusion systems using polypropylene infusion bags.
- NOVOLOG is stable in infusion fluids such as 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP.
What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
This medicine is available in fallowing dosage forms:
- 10 mL multiple-dose vial
- 3 mL single-patient-use PenFill® cartridges for the 3 mL PenFill cartridge device
- 3 mL single-patient-use NOVOLOG FlexPen®
- 3 mL single-patient-use NOVOLOG FlexTouch
This medicine is available in fallowing brand names:
- Fiasp®
- NovoLog®
- NovoLog® Mix 70/30
What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]
Common possible side effects of this medicine include:
- hypoglycemia
- allergic reactions
- local injection site reactions
- lipodystrophy
- rash
- pruritus
What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]
- Never share a NOVOLOG FlexPen or a NOVOLOG FlexTouch, PenFill cartridge or PenFill cartridge device between patients, even if the needle is changed.
- Increase frequency of glucose monitoring with changes to: insulin dosage, co-administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with renal or hepatic impairments and hypoglycemia unawareness.
- Instruct patients to check insulin labels before injection .
- Discontinue NOVOLOG, treat, and monitor, if hypersensitivity reactions are indicated
- Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if indicated
- Observe for signs and symptoms of heart failure; consider dosage reduction or discontinuation if heart failure occurs
- Monitor glucose and administer NOVOLOG by subcutaneous injection if pump malfunction occurs
What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]
- Excess insulin administration may cause hypoglycemia and hypokalemia.
- Mild episodes of hypoglycemia usually can be treated with oral glucose.
- Adjustments in drug dosage, meal patterns, or exercise may be needed.
- More severe episodes with coma, seizure, or neurologic impairment may be treated with intramuscular/subcutaneous glucagon or concentrated intravenous glucose.
- Sustained carbohydrate intake and observation may be necessary because hypoglycemia may recur after apparent clinical recovery.
- Hypokalemia must be corrected appropriately.
Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]
- With insulin aspart use during the second trimester of pregnancy have not reported any adverse maternal or fetal outcomes .
- There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy.
Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]
- The safety and effectiveness of NOVOLOG to improve glycemic control have been established in pediatric patients.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]
- Dispense in the original sealed carton with the enclosed Instructions for Use.
- Unused NOVOLOG should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
- Do not freeze NOVOLOG and do not use NOVOLOG if it has been frozen.
- Do not expose NOVOLOG to excessive heat or light.
- NOVOLOG should not be drawn into a syringe and stored 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.
- Opened vials of insulin aspart solution (Fiasp, Novolog) can be stored for 28 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- If your doctor tells you to dilute your insulin aspart (Novolog), the vial of diluted medication can be stored for up to 28 days in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Opened insulin aspart solution (Novolog) cartridges and pens may be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days; do not refrigerate them.
- Opened pens containing NovoLog Mix 70/30 may be stored at room temperature for up to 14 days; do not refrigerate them. Opened insulin aspart solution (Fiasp) pens can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 28 days.
- Discard any insulin aspart product that has been exposed to extreme heat or cold.
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