Fiasp
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin. It helps control blood sugar levels in adults and children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2). It's similar to insulin apart (Novolog), but it works more quickly because it contains niacinamide and L-arginine, which help with absorption. Fiasp comes as a vial, Fiasp Flextouch pen, Fiasp PenFill cartridge, and Fiasp PumpCart cartridge. This medication is given as an injection under the skin or through a continuous insulin pump. Some common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections and the common cold.
What is Fiasp (Insulin aspart)?
What is Fiasp (Insulin aspart) used for?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 2 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults
How Fiasp (Insulin aspart) works
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) is an insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone your body makes to control blood sugar levels. It helps your body absorb and store sugar from the bloodstream after a meal. Insulin also stops your liver from making glucose (sugar). But people with diabetes can't make insulin, don't make enough insulin, or their body doesn't respond to insulin as it should.
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin. It's injected with or shortly after a meal to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It can also be used with the appropriate insulin infusion pump.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Fiasp (Insulin aspart)?
Common Side Effects
- Common cold (20-24%)
- Respiratory tract infection (7-9%)
- Urinary tract infection (6%)
- Nausea (5%)
- Back pain (4-5%)
- Diarrhea (3-5%)
- Respiratory tract infections (8-23%)
- Flu (6-8%)
- Runny nose (4-6%)
- Headache (6-10%)
- Fever (6-8%)
- Vomiting (3-8%)
Other Side Effects
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Injection site reactions (e.g, redness, warmth, irritation)
- Buildup of body fat (lipodystrophy)
- Weight gain
Serious Side Effects
- Severely low blood sugar: dizziness, shakiness, feeling confused, feeling irritable or anxious, feeling faint, sweating, extreme hunger, not able to think clearly
- Ketoacidosis (high ketone levels in the blood): nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, thirsty, dry mouth, fruity breath, trouble breathing
- Dangerously low potassium levels: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, abnormal heartbeat, tiredness, trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reactions: rash; hives; swelling of face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing
Source: DailyMed
More on Fiasp (Insulin aspart) side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
- Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Lipodystrophy—hardening or scarring of tissue at injection site
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Weight gain
Pros and cons of Fiasp (Insulin aspart)
Pros
Starts to work within 20 minutes to control your blood sugar levels after meals
Can be used in people with liver or kidney problems, unlike other oral diabetic medications
Available as a vial, pen, and cartridges for insulin pumps
An option for children
Cons
Given as an injection
Higher risk of low blood sugar compared to diabetes medications that are taken by mouth
Needs to be given multiple times per day
Must be used with every meal
Pharmacist tips for Fiasp (Insulin aspart)
Ask your prescriber about when you should check your blood sugar during the day as you use Fiasp (Insulin aspart). Make sure to keep a log of your blood sugar readings and show it to your provider at your office visits. This helps you and your provider keep track of how well you're responding to Fiasp (Insulin aspart) and whether you need dose adjustments.
It's important that you and your loved ones know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar. Common symptoms include shakiness, anxiety, and hunger. Always keep fast-acting sugar, such as glucose tablets, with you at all times so you can take it if your blood sugar level drops too low. Follow the "15-15 rule" to treat low blood sugar levels (below 70 mg/dL).
Tips on how to use Fiasp vials, Fiasp FlexTouch pens, and Fiasp PenFill cartridges:
Make sure you know how to use Fiasp (Insulin aspart) properly and safely to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Carefully review the instructions for use for the vial, Fiasp FlexTouch pen, or Fiasp PenFill cartridge, and contact your prescriber or pharmacist for specific directions and for any questions you have.
Store unopened vials, pens, and PenFill cartridges in the refrigerator until the expiration date or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Opened vials or pens that are in use can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Opened PenFill cartridges that you are currently using should be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 28 days. Don't put these in the refrigerator after opening.
For Fiasp FlexTouch Pens: Prime the pen each time before you dial your dose and inject. This makes sure there aren't any air bubbles in your dose. Turn the dose selector to 2 units, hold the pen with the needle pointing up, gently tap it so any air bubbles go to the top, and push the dose button until the dose counter says "0." Repeat if you don't see any insulin at the needle tip.
Inject Fiasp (Insulin aspart) under the skin with the first bite of a meal, or within 20 minutes after starting a meal, under the skin of your stomach area, buttocks, upper legs, or upper arms. Don't use Fiasp (Insulin aspart) on an empty stomach, because this can raise your risk for severely low blood sugar. Rotate injection sites to prevent hard lumps from forming.
Don't shake or roll the vials. This can make bubbles or foam in the solution, which can cause you to draw up the wrong dose.
Always use a new needle for each injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles. Don't reuse or share your needles with other people.
After injecting Fiasp (Insulin aspart), throw the needle or syringe away in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic (e.g., empty milk carton, laundry detergent bottle). This helps lower the risk of needle-stick injuries. Don't throw away needles or syringes in your trash can.
Tips on how to use Fiasp PumpCart cartridges and vials through an insulin pump:
Refer to the instructions for the Fiasp PumpCart cartridge for use through an insulin pump. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Store unopened PumpCart cartridges in the refrigerator until the expiration date or at room temperature for up to 18 days. Opened PumpCart cartridges should be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 4 days. Don't put opened cartridges back in the refrigerator.
Frequently asked questions about Fiasp (Insulin aspart)
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What are the risks and warnings for Fiasp (Insulin aspart)?
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Never share Fiasp (Insulin aspart) pens, syringes, needles, or cartridges with anyone else. Sharing Fiasp (Insulin aspart) and injection supplies with someone can raise the risk of spreading very dangerous infections to other people (including yourself).
Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Switching to Fiasp (Insulin aspart) from a different type of insulin | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Fiasp (Insulin aspart) | Liver or kidney problems
Changing your insulin or insulin routine, such as where you inject Fiasp (Insulin aspart) or switching to a different brand of insulin aspart, can affect how your body responds to insulin. This can lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. In addition, injecting Fiasp (Insulin aspart) repeatedly into skin areas that show signs of lipodystrophy, such as pitting or thickened skin, can also result in high blood sugar levels.
Don't make changes to your Fiasp (Insulin aspart) dose or routine without first checking in with your diabetes care team. Make sure to avoid injecting into skin areas that show signs of lipodystrophy. If your care team instructs you to make any changes to your insulin routine, they'll also ask you to check your blood sugar levels more often to see how the changes affect your blood sugar levels.
Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Fiasp (Insulin aspart) | Liver or kidney problems | Not using Fiasp (Insulin aspart) as directed
Using Fiasp (Insulin aspart) alone or together with other medications that lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar levels. If not treated in time, it can be life-threatening.
Check your blood sugar level regularly to make sure it's within a safe range. If your diabetes care team instructs you to mix different insulins together, read the label of the insulins carefully to make sure you're using the right products. If you make any changes to your diet or meal patterns, other medications, or how much you exercise, let your care team know because they might need to adjust your dose of Fiasp (Insulin aspart).
Make sure you're familiar with symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, sweating or body chills, and excessive hunger. Keep fast-acting sugars, such as glucose tablets, with you at all times so you can treat an episode of hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar levels don't improve even after you take fast-acting sugars, get medical help right away.
Low blood potassium levels
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower potassium levels
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) can lower the levels of potassium in your blood, which can sometimes be dangerous. You're at risk if you're already taking medications that lower your potassium, like certain diuretics (water pills). Your prescriber will check your potassium levels regularly and might give you medications to keep your potassium in the normal range. Tell your prescriber if you have symptoms of low potassium, such as weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, nausea, vomiting, or abnormal heartbeats.
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with insulin | History of heart failure
Taking insulin, including Fiasp (Insulin aspart), with medications called glitazones (also known as thiazolidinediones), like pioglitazone (Actos), can cause your body to hold onto fluid. This can worsen or lead to heart failure. Let your prescriber know if you've noticed sudden weight gain or if you have symptoms of heart failure, such as trouble breathing, tiredness, or headache. They might need to make changes to your blood sugar medications.
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)
Risk factors: Insulin pump not working properly
If you're using an insulin pump to inject Fiasp (Insulin aspart), check that your pump is working properly and that you know how to use it correctly. When the pump isn't work properly, you're at risk of having extremely high blood sugar levels or a serious complication of diabetes called ketoacidosis. Call your prescriber right away if you can't fix your pump quickly. Your prescriber might recommend that you inject Fiasp (Insulin aspart) in other ways in the meantime. Seek medical help if you have symptoms of ketoacidosis, such as tiredness, fruity-smelling breath, or vomiting.
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Fiasp (Insulin aspart)
Your diabetes care team will determine your dose of Fiasp (Insulin aspart) based on different factors, such as your blood sugar level, body weight, how responsive your body is to insulin.
For injections under the skin: Inject Fiasp (Insulin aspart) under the skin in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm, with the first bite of a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.
For continuous insulin pumps: Use the insulin pump according to your prescriber's instructions. Follow the directions from your insulin pump manufacturer to set up and use the pump.
For injections through the vein: Fiasp (Insulin aspart) can be given as an injection into the vein by a healthcare professional (HCP), typically in a hospital setting. The dose depends on the type of diabetes you have and your weight.
How much does Fiasp (Insulin aspart) cost?
Fiasp (Insulin aspart) contraindications
Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
What are alternatives to Fiasp (Insulin aspart)?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 2 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults
Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults
Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults
What is the latest news about Fiasp (Insulin aspart)?
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References
Best studies we foundHaahr, H., et al. (2020). Fast-acting insulin aspart: A review of its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and the clinical consequences. Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
Heise, T., et al. (2017). A pooled analysis of clinical pharmacology trials investigating the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of fast-acting insulin aspart in adults with type 1 diabetes. Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
Insulet Corporation. (n.d.). Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery system important safety information.
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Fiasp- insulin aspart injection injection, solution; Fiasp- injection aspart injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Fiasp- insulin aspart injection injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Sharabi, K., et al. (2015). Molecular pathophysiology of hepatic glucose production. Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
Tandem Diabetics Care. (n.d.). Insulin compatibility.
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