70
(IN suh lin AH spart)
NovoLog
What is the most important information I should know about insulin aspart?
• Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), whichinclude headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating,tremor, and nausea 70. Carry a piece of candy or glucose tablets with you to treatepisodes of low blood sugar 70.
• Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with your doctoror nurse 70. Changes in what you eat or how much you exercise can change the amountof insulin that you need to control blood sugar levels 70.
• Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick with a cold, flu,or fever 70. These illnesses may change your insulin requirements 70.
• Insulin aspart differs from regular human insulin by how quickly it beginsto work and the amount of time it continues to be effective 70. Because insulinaspart begins to work soon after it is injected, the injection of insulin aspartshould immediately be followed by a meal 70. Because of the short amount of timethat insulin aspart continues to be effective, a longer-acting insulin may alsobe required 70.
• Do not change the brand of insulin aspart or syringe that you are usingwithout first talking to your doctor or pharmacist 70. Some brands of insulin aspartand syringes are interchangeable, while others are not 70. Your doctor and/or pharmacistknow which brands can be substituted for one another 70.
What is insulin aspart?
• Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas 70. Insulin enablesthe body to use the sugar in food as a source of energy 70. When the body doesnot produce enough insulin, or when the insulin produced by the body is noteffective enough, the condition is called diabetes mellitus 70. This conditionallows sugar levels in the blood to become very high 70. Diabetics must use man-madeinsulin or insulin that comes from pigs (which is very similar to human insulin)to lower these high blood sugar levels 70.
• There are three types of insulin, which differ in how soon they beginto work and how long their effects last 70. Insulin aspart is one type of insulinthat begins to work very quickly and its effects that last for approximately3 to 5 hours 70. Insulin aspart is usually used in combination with another longer-actinginsulin 70.
• Insulin aspart may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide 70.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using insulin aspart?
• Do not use insulin aspart if you are allergic to insulin or if you havean intolerance of a certain insulin aspart product 70.
• Before using insulin aspart, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liverdisease 70. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment 70.
• Insulin aspart is in the FDA pregnancy category C 70. This means that itis not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby 70. Do not use this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment 70.
• It is not known whether insulin aspart passes into breast milk 70. Do notuse this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby 70.
How should I use insulin aspart?
• Use insulin aspart exactly as directed by your doctor 70. If you do notunderstand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explainthem to you 70.
• Insulin aspart differs from regular human insulin by how quickly it beginsto work and the amount of time it continues to be effective 70. Because insulinaspart begins to work soon after it is injected, the injection of insulin aspartshould immediately be followed by a meal 70. Because of the short amount of timethat insulin aspart continues to be effective, a longer-acting insulin may alsobe required 70.
• Insulin aspart is usually used immediately before a meal (a meal shouldbe started within 5 to 10 minutes after injecting the medication) 70. Follow yourdoctor's instructions 70.
• Rotate injection sites as directed by your doctor 70. Usually, you shouldnot inject within 1 inch of the same site within 1 month 70.
• Never reuse a needle or syringe 70. The syringes used must not contain anyother medicinal product or residue 70. Dispose of all needles and syringes in anappropriate, puncture-resistant disposal container 70.
• Do not change the insulin strength (e.g., U-100) or insulin type (e.g.,aspart) unless your doctor recommends a change for you 70.
• Do not change the brand of insulin aspart or syringe that you are usingwithout first talking to your doctor or pharmacist 70. Some brands of insulin andsyringes are interchangeable, while others are not 70. Your doctor and/or pharmacistknow which brands can be substituted for one another 70.
• Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with your doctoror nurse 70. Changes in what you eat or how much you exercise can change the amountof insulin that you need to control blood sugar levels 70.
• Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you are sick with a cold, flu,or fever 70. These illnesses may change your insulin requirements 70.
• Wear some type of medical identification bracelet, necklace, or otheralert tag to inform others that you have diabetes and that you require insulinin the case of an emergency 70.
• To adequately control diabetes, proper foot care, eye care, dental care,and overall proper health care are necessary 70. Visit your doctor, dentist, eyedoctor, and other heath care practitioners as recommended by your doctor 70.
• Do not use any insulin that is discolored, looks thick, has particlesin it, or looks different from your previous bottles or cartridges of insulinaspart 70.
• Store unopened bottles and cartridges of insulin aspart in the refrigeratorbetween 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius) 70. Do not storeinsulin aspart in the freezer and do not allow it to freeze 70. Do not use insulinaspart if it has been frozen 70. Throw away any expired insulin aspart 70.
• Vials or cartridges of insulin aspart in use can be kept unrefrigeratedat room temperature, below 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), for upto 28 days but should not be exposed to excessive heat or sunlight 70.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Follow your doctor's directions if you miss a dose of insulin 70. To preventmissed doses, be sure to always have enough insulin on hand, especially if youare going on vacation 70.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention 70.
• Symptoms of an insulin overdose reflect very low blood sugar levels andinclude headache, irregular heartbeat, increased heart rate or pulse, sweating,tremor, nausea, increased hunger, and anxiety 70.
What should I avoid while using insulin aspart?
• Do not use alcohol without first talking to your doctor 70. It lowers bloodsugar, and you may experience dangerously low blood sugar levels 70.
• Follow any diet and exercise plan that you have developed with your doctoror nurse 70. Changes in what you eat or how much you exercise can change the amountof insulin that you need to control blood sugar levels 70.
What are the possible side effects of insulin aspart?
• Rarely, people have allergic reactions to insulin 70. Seek emergency medicalattention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closingof your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) 70.
• The side effects of insulin therapy result mostly from blood sugar levelsthat are either too high or too low 70. You should be familiar with the symptomsof both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions 70. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency 70.
• Low blood sugar may occur when too much insulin is used; when meals aremissed or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especiallywith vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking alcohol;and in other situations 70.
• Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, has the following symptoms: shaking,headache, cold sweats, pale, cool skin, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating 70.
• Keep sugary candy; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodesof low blood sugar 70.
• Increased blood sugar may occur if not enough insulin is used, if youeat significantly more food then usual, if you exercise less than usual, ifyou take other medications, if you have a fever or other illness, and in othersituations 70.
• Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, has the following symptoms: increasedthirst, increased hunger, and increased urination 70.
• Monitor your blood sugar levels and ask your doctor how to adjust yourinsulin doses if your blood sugar levels are too high 70.
• Side effects may also occur at the site of injection 70. If the area becomesthickened, hard, or pitted, talk to your doctor before injecting at that siteagain 70.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur 70. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome 70.
What other drugs will affect insulin aspart?
• Many drugs can interact with insulin or affect blood sugar levels 70. Donot take any other medicines, including prescription products or over-the-countermedicines or supplements, without first talking to your doctor or pharmacistduring treatment with insulin 70.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about insulin aspart writtenfor health professionals that you may read 70.
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