Key takeaways
NovoLog (insulin aspart) and Actos (pioglitazone) are both used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways and are used for different types of diabetes. NovoLog is a fast-acting insulin that helps lower blood sugar levels quickly by moving sugar into your body for energy. It's typically injected under the skin before meals and is used for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, Actos is a thiazolidinedione taken as a daily pill that improves your body's ability to use insulin, but it is only for type 2 diabetes. While NovoLog can cause low blood sugar and weight gain, Actos may take several weeks to show effects and can cause fluid buildup, weight gain, and increase the risk of bladder cancer and bone fractures. Additionally, Actos is not suitable for people with heart failure or bladder cancer, whereas NovoLog requires careful monitoring to avoid low blood sugar.
