NovoLOG Aspart

NovoLOG Aspart is fast-acting insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body burn glucose in the blood (blood sugar) as energy.

Too high blood sugar level, or hyperglycemia, is harmful to the body. It damages the organs like the eyes, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas.

Hyperglycemia causes serious damage to nerves and blood vessels over time, causing serious consequences like chronic pain, weakness and even amputation of the limbs.

Doctors prescribe Insulin Aspart to control blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. Insulin Aspart has a fast onset that quickly lowers blood sugar levels.

However, there is a need for a longer-acting insulin to ensure continuous control over blood sugar for extended periods of time.

Insulin Aspart can be mixed with other insulins or with an Insulin Diluting Medium. Insulin Aspart is an injectable drug and needs a prescription.

Before using NovoLOG Aspart, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Mention to the doctor if you experienced previous allergies to insulin. Tell the doctor if you have other allergies to certain foods, medicines, and other products.

Tell the doctor your other conditions before taking Insulin Aspart. Make sure to tell if you experienced episodes of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing a child before taking Insulin Aspart. Insulin Aspart is an FDA category B drug, which means it may not cause harm to unborn babies.

However, you still need to notify your doctor if you became pregnant. Call your doctor first before breastfeeding. Tell your doctor all the medications you take before taking Insulin Aspart.

Note that Insulin Aspart have moderate interactions with Aspirin, Metoprolol, Propanolol, Clonidine, Lithium, Guanethidine, Enalapril, Losartan, Clofibrate, Gemfibrozil, Fluoxetine, Ocreotide, Sulfamethoxazole, Pioglitazone, Clozapine, Olanzapine, Furosemide, Niacin, Isoniazid, Levothyroxine, Albuterol, Chlorpromazine, birth control pills and other oral antidiabetic drugs.

This is not a complete list, so tell your doctor all your medications before using Insulin Aspart. 

Do not take other medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products while having Insulin Aspart without calling the doctor first.

Alcohol and tobacco may cause changes to the effect of Insulin Aspart. Call your doctor if you smoke or drank too much, or if you are trying to quit. For best results, do not use alcohol or tobacco while having treatment.

Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, like diseases in the heart, liver, kidneys, adrenals, pituitary or thyroid. Mention if you have nerve problems or experienced diabetic ketoacidosis before.

Tell your doctor if you do 3 or more insulin injections per day, are on a low-salt diet, have electrolyte problems (high sodium or low potassium in the blood) or if you do vigorous exercise.

Proper usage of NovoLOG Aspart requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. NovoLOG Aspart is injected under the skin (subcutaneous route). Insulin Aspart is available in vials for filling syringes, or pre-filled cartridges for use in injecting pens. NovoLOG Aspart can be used with insulin pumps.

The doctor or nurse will teach you how to inject insulin at home. Insulin Aspart works quickly, so you need to eat a meal or snack within 5 to 10 minutes after injection.

Like any other insulin, the injection sites for Insulin Aspart are the stomach, upper aspect of buttocks, thighs, and upper arm. Do not inject Insulin Aspart into the same place in a row.

Inspect the bottle first before injection, and then mix the insulin by gently rolling the vial between your palms a few times.

Here are the specific steps for injecting Insulin Aspart:

• Open the bottle and wipe the rubber stopper with a cotton ball soaked with alcohol, and then let it dry.
• On the syringe, withdraw the plunger to the required number of units. Unsheath the needle carefully, push the syringe into the vial and push the plunger all the way and inject air.
• With one hand, invert the vial with the syringe. Using the other hand, maneuver the needle so the tip is submerged in the liquid and carefully withdraw the required units. Withdraw more medicine and slightly tap the syringe to remove air bubbles. Adjust the plunger to make sure you withdraw the exact amount of insulin.
• Withdraw the syringe with the medication from the vial.
• Make sure to rotate injection sites.
• Clean the injection site by rubbing the area with a cotton ball with alcohol, and then let dry.
• Gently pinch and raise the skin. With the other hand, inject the needle at a 90-degree angle, making sure that the needle is all the way into the skin.
• Gently push the plunger to inject insulin, and then quickly pull then needle out.
• Lightly apply pressure on the injection site with a cotton ball with alcohol. Do not rub the injection site.

Follow instructions when administering Insulin Aspart with pens or insulin pumps. Note that if you use insulin pumps, you need to throw away leftover medication in the reservoir, change the tubing, catheters and the needle injection site every 48 hours.

Always dispose of used syringes, vials, cartridges, and catheters properly. You can put them inside a large enclosed container like a bleach container and put the cap to seal the contents.

Always test blood sugar levels regularly. Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) such as hunger, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness and shakiness.

Eating sugary items like hard candy, raisins, a glass of milk or non-diet soda can relieve hypoglycemia. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, you need to have a glucagon injection.

Make sure to have an emergency kit with sugary items and glucagon injection, and teach your family members on how to use them.

You also have to be aware of hyperglycemia, or too high blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia causes symptoms such as thirst, increased urination, dry skin, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, blurring vision and weight loss.

Note that stress, vigorous exercise, having surgery or medical procedures, travel and illness can cause changes to your blood sugar levels. However, do not change doses of Insulin Aspart without calling your doctor first.

To control blood sugar levels effectively with Insulin Aspart, you also need to stick to a healthy diet, regular exercise, maintain healthy weight and blood sugar tests.

If you missed your dose of Insulin Aspart, skip and take it on the next scheduled dose with meals. Do not take more Insulin Aspart to make up for the missed dose.

Overdosing on Insulin Aspart can cause serious hypoglycemia that can be life-threatening. If you think you took too much, call local poison control hotline and head to the nearest hospital immediately.

Store Insulin Aspart in a refrigerator. Do not freeze, expose to light, heat and moisture.

In using NovoLOG Aspart, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Never share or borrow needles, syringes or cartridges for using NovoLOG Aspart.

Sharing these items can increase your risk of having blood-borne diseases like HIV infection and viral hepatitis. Always follow doctor’s instructions and dose when taking Insulin Aspart. Do regular blood sugar tests and stick to doctor’s appointments.

Always inspect the Insulin Aspart vial before administration. The liquid must be clear and colorless, with no particles in it whatsoever. If the liquid becomes viscous, cloudy, discolored, has clumps or particles in it, discard the medication.

If you mix Insulin Aspart with other insulins or use a diluent, do so following doctor’s instructions.

If you are prescribed to use Insulin Aspart, make sure to maintain adequate supplies. Refill your prescription once your medicines became low.

Call your doctor if you experienced the following side effects while using NovoLOG Aspart:

• Swelling of the hands or feet
• Symptoms of low potassium such as uneven heartbeat, confusion, thirst, leg discomfort and muscle weakness
• Symptoms of hypoglycemia