Novolog Insulin Aspart

Novolog/Insulin Aspart

The Novolog is the brand name version of insulin aspart which are fast acting insulin used in treatment of adults and children with diabetes mellitus to control their blood sugar. The time taken for it too work is approximately 15 minutes from the time it was administered and takes about 45-90 minutes to reach its peak action and can work as long as 3-5 hours duration. However these numbers are based on approximations and can vary from person to person depending on their blood flow, injection sites, body temperate and exercises.

Novolog is approved for type 1 diabetes in children as 2 years of age as well as use in insulin pumps and adults with diabetes.

Novolog is usually prescribed as part of basal-bolus insulin therapy which uses 2 types of insulins to more closely mimic normal release of insulin in the body and this is recommended for people with type 1 diabetes and people with type 2 diabetes who need more control in blood glucose than that provided in the basal-bolus insulin.

Important information you should know about Novolog

• Under any circumstance you should never share your NovoLog FlexPen, NovoLog FlexTouch, PenFill catridge or PenFill cartridge compatible insulin delivery device with other people.

•  Do not change the insulin you use without talking to your endocrinologist. Changes may make you more likely to experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Changes should be made cautiously under the supervision of your endocrinologist.

• Your Novolog insulin dosage may need to be altered due to illness conditions, stress, other medications have been prescribed with, changes in your diet, or change in physical activity or exercises.

• You should not take Novolog if your blood sugar is too low which a condition known as hypoglycemia.

• Before taking Novolog consult your health care provider or endocrinologist about your present medical condition if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or you are breastfeeding and whether you are on other medical prescription.

How you should use Novolog

• Novolog should be taken before taking a meal usually 5 to 10 minutes before taking a meal since it is a fast acting insulin.

• Observe you blood glucose levels before and after taking the insulin so to know the effectiveness of the dosage.

• You should be aware of your insulin strength and you shouldn’t change your insulin type unless instructed by your endocrinologist.

• Avoid alcohol, use medicines that contain alcohol like paracetamol, driving or operate heavy machinery when using log until you know how Novolog affects you.

Novolog Possible side effects

The possible side effects of Novolog includes the following:-

• Hypoglycemia which is a severe low blood sugar with its symptoms such as irritation, anxiety, dizzy, sweating, headache and confusion.

• A severe decrease in blood potassium level (hypokalemia) which may cause difficulty in breathing or high rate of heartbeats and even death.

• Other common side effects which may require immediate medical attention includes difficulty in breathing or high rate of heartbeats.

• Sometimes swelling of your hands and feet and even heart failure when taken with certain medications such as thiazolidinediones or “TZDs”.

·         In summary the most common side effect of Novolog although these are not least is low blood sugar, allergies, injection spots reactions, swelling at injection spots (lipodystrophy), developing rashes and itching.

Also read more about NovoLog FlexPen, NovoLog FlexTouch, PenFill cartridge