Insulin Aspart

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

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.

Insulin Aspart Structural Formula.gif
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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:

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.


Insulin Aspart Resources
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