Novolog vs. Afrezza for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

NovoLog (insulin aspart) and Afrezza (insulin human inhaled) are both fast-acting insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. NovoLog is injected under the skin or given as an infusion, while Afrezza is inhaled through the mouth. NovoLog can be used by both adults and children, whereas Afrezza is only approved for adults. Afrezza is a good option if you prefer not to use injections, but it cannot be used if you have breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). NovoLog starts working within 15 minutes and lasts for about 2 to 4 hours, while Afrezza starts working in about 12 minutes and lasts for 1.5 to 3 hours. Both medications can cause low blood sugar, but Afrezza also commonly causes cough and throat irritation. If you smoke or have recently quit, Afrezza is not recommended due to safety concerns.

NovoLog

(insulin aspart)

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Afrezza

(insulin)

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Summary for Novolog

Prescription only

NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar into your body so it can be used for energy. NovoLog (insulin aspart) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. It's typically injected under the skin at mealtimes, but it can also be given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider for people in the hospital. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Indications for Novolog

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Novolog

Pros

Starts to work within 10 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
Dose can be easily adjusted to make treatment tailored to your specific needs
Can use if you have liver or kidney problems
Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use

Cons

Given multiple times per day (before each meal)
Must give as an injection
Might be hard for some people to inject properly
Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain

Common Side Effects for Novolog

Type 1 diabetes:

Severely low blood sugar (17%)
Headache (12%)
Accidental injury (11%)
Nausea (7%)
Diarrhea (5%)

Type 2 diabetes:

Muscles slow to react (11%)
Severely low blood sugar (10%)
Fungal nail infection (10%)
Impairment of your senses (9%)
Urinary tract infection (8%)
Sinus infection (5%)
Chest pain (5%)
Stomach pain (5%)
Headache (5%)
Skin problems (5%)

Warnings for Novolog

Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

Summary for Afrezza

Prescription only

Afrezza is an ultra rapid-acting inhaled insulin for adults with diabetes. It helps manage blood sugar levels from meals. You breathe in the medication through the mouth using the Afrezza inhaler usually at the start of meals. Common side effects are low blood sugar and cough. There's also a risk of bronchospasm (sudden narrowing of the airways), which can make it hard to breathe. So Afrezza (insulin) isn't for people with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Indications for Afrezza

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults

Pros and Cons for Afrezza

Pros

A good choice for people who don't want to use injectable insulin
Can help people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar
Starts to work in about 12 minutes and lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on your dose

Cons

Might need to use more than one cartridge of insulin for your dose (if you need more than 12 units of insulin)
Not for people who smoke or for people with breathing problems (e.g., asthma, COPD)
Not approved for children

Common Side Effects for Afrezza

Low blood sugar (up to 67%)
Cough (up to 29%)
Throat pain or irritation (up to 6%)
Headache (up to 5%)

Warnings for Afrezza

Breathing problems
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Changes in blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin routine
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Low potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain diabetes medications