NovoLOG Mix 70/30 is used to control glucose levels in the bloodstream (blood sugar). NovoLOG Mix 70/30 is a combination of fast-acting Insulin Aspart (30%) and Intermediate-acting Insulin Aspart Protamine (70%).
Doctors prescribe Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart to control high blood sugar levels caused by diabetes. This combination of insulin has quicker onset than regular human insulin.
Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart can also be used to lower blood sugar levels caused by other conditions.
High blood sugar levels result in complications associated with long-term diabetes, like heart disease, damage to the nerves, eyes, kidneys, hearing impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and risk of foot amputations.
Taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart can help control blood sugar levels to avoid development of complications.
Note that Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart have the same potency in reducing blood sugar levels as insulin NPH, except for having quicker onset.
Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart is an injectable medication, and you need a doctor’s prescription to purchase it.
Here are things you must know before using NovoLOG Mix 70/30:
If you have hypoglycemia, do not use NovoLOG Mix 70/30. Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart is a pre-mixed insulin and not intended to be mixed with other insulins.
Do not mix with other insulins and do not give it with an infusion pump. Do not use Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart if you have an allergy to insulin.
You may have to avoid drinking alcohol when taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart. Alcohol lowers blood sugar levels, which can interfere with the effects of the medication.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart. Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart is an FDA category B drug, and therefore may not cause risks to unborn babies.
However, you still have to tell your doctor if you became pregnant when taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart. Do not nurse a baby if you are taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart.
Tell your doctor all the medications you take before taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart.
Note that Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart have strong interactions with drugs like Aspirin, Ciprofloxacin, Premarin, Ventolin and Zoloft. If you take these medications, tell them to your doctor.
To use NovoLOG Mix 70/30 properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. NovoLOG Mix 70/30 is administered by injecting it under the skin (subcutaneous route). The doctor will teach you how to do injections at home.
The doctor will determine your dose of Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart. It is typically given two times per day. Each dose is meant to cover glucose elevations from eating two meals and a snack.
Note that there is no way of adjusting doses to accommodate resting and after-meal glucose levels with fixed combination insulins like Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart.
The doctor may require you to monitor glucose levels more frequently when using Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart.
It is important you time injections with meals. For type 1 diabetes, you need to inject 15 minutes before a meal. For type 2 diabetes, you can inject 15 minutes before and after meals.
Always inspect the Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart vial first. Mix by gently rolling the vial between your palms; a properly mixed medication must be uniformly cloudy or milky.
To do subcutaneous injections, here are the steps to follow:
- 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.
If you use injection pens, follow instructions properly. Make sure to dispose of used syringes, needles and empty vials properly. You can put them in a closed container (like a bottle of bleach) and put the cap on to seal them.
When taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart, you must be familiar with symptoms of hypoglycemia or too low blood sugar. Watch out for hunger, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, and shakiness.
If you experience these symptoms, consume sugary items like raisins, hard candy, fruit juice and non-diet soda. If you have severe hypoglycemia, and you are unable to eat or drink, you need to have a glucagon injection. Make sure to keep sugary foods and emergency glucagon injection kit handy.
You also have to be aware of symptoms of hyperglycemia (too high blood sugar) such as fruity breath odor, increased urination, dryness of the mouth, drowsiness, dry skin, blurring of vision and weight loss.
Note that things like stress, travel, illness, drinking alcohol, skipping meals, vigorous exercise and undergoing surgery or medical emergencies can cause drastic changes to your blood sugar levels.
However, do not change doses of Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart without your doctor’s supervision. Always store Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart vials in the refrigerator, but never in the freezer.
If you missed a dose, skip and take the next scheduled dose with meals. Do not take more of the medicine to make up for the missed dose.
In using NovoLOG Mix 70/30, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. If you overdosed on NovoLOG Mix 70/30, you are at risk for hypoglycemia. Call your doctor or local poison control hotlines.
Do not mix Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart with other insulins. Always rotate injection sites when taking Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart and other insulins.
Always inspect the vial before use. Do not use if the liquid remained clear after mixing, has any white substances or particles remains at the bottom, or if there are any clumps.
