Novolin R
Novolin R is a short-acting insulin. It's used to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults and children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. For the multi-dose vials of Novolin R, you'll need to draw up the dose into a syringe. Single-use prefilled pens called Novolin R FlexPen are also available for easier use. Novolin R is typically injected under the skin 2 to 3 times a day, 30 minutes before a meal. Some common side effects include low blood sugar levels and injection-site redness or pain.
What is Novolin R?
What is Novolin R used for?
How Novolin R works
Novolin R is a type of lab-made insulin. Insulin is a hormone your body makes to help manage your blood sugar levels. It helps your body use sugar from your blood for energy. It helps absorb and store extra sugar in the body. Insulin also stops your liver from making sugar.
Providing extra insulin is important for people with diabetes. This is because their body either can't make insulin, doesn't make enough, or doesn't respond to insulin as it should.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Novolin R
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low blood sugar
- Injection site reactions (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)
Less Common Side Effects
- Lumpiness or pitting of the skin where the medication is injected
- Weight gain
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Novolin R serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severely low blood sugar: dizziness, shakiness, feeling confused, feeling irritable or anxious, feeling faint, sweating, extreme hunger, can't think clearly
- Very low potassium levels: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, abnormal heartbeat, tiredness, trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; hives; swelling of face, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing
More on Novolin R side effects
The following Novolin R side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
blurred vision
chills
cold sweats
confusion
convulsions
cool, pale skin
decreased urine
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
flushing or redness of the skin
headache
increased hunger
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
loss of appetite
muscle pain or cramps
nightmares
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
seizures
shakiness
slurred speech
sweating
swelling
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusually warm skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
redistribution or accumulation of body fat
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Novolin R
Pros
- Available over the counter without a prescription
- Can help manage either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Available as a pen and vial
Cons
- Need multiple injections per day, each time before a meal
- Can cause weight gain and low blood sugar
- Must check your blood sugar at home often
Pharmacist tips for Novolin R
- Before using Novolin R for the first time, read the Instructions for Use that come with it. Also review any tips your diabetes care team gave you about starting insulin. If you have questions, ask a healthcare professional.
- Low blood sugar is a possible side effect of Novolin R. Make sure you and your loved ones know how to spot and treat it. Symptoms can include feeling hungry, shaky, sweaty, nervous, dizzy, or confused. Keep fast-acting sugar with you so you can raise your blood sugar quickly if needed. Very low blood sugar can be dangerous and should get treated right away.
- If you need to use other types of insulins at different times of the day, follow your diabetes care team's directions. Always check the insulin label carefully so you know you're using the right one at the right time. Double checking can help prevent mix-ups and avoid low blood sugar.
- Check your blood sugar during the day as instructed by your care team. Keep a log of your readings and show it to your care team at your follow-up visits. This helps you and your care team keep track of how well Novolin R (and your other insulins) is working for you. Based on your blood sugar patterns, they can adjust your dose.
- Ask your prescriber what to do if you've skipped a meal. It could be risky to inject Novolin R without a meal because it could put you at risk of low blood sugar.
- Follow a regular meal plan and keep your exercise routine fairly consistent. Try not to make sudden or big changes, since this can affect your blood sugar. If you do change your diet, meal schedule, or exercise plan, tell your care team. They might need to adjust your Novolin R dose.
Tips on how to use Novolin R:
- Before each Novolin R injection: Double check that you prepared your insulin correctly and that you're using the right dose (number of units). This helps prevent mistakes, like accidentally using too much insulin. This could cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Check that your Novolin R is clear and colorless.
- If you're using the Novolin R vials: Always use a new needle for each injection. This helps prevent infections and blocked needles. Follow your care team's directions on how to draw up your prescribed dose into your syringe.
- For the vials - mixing Novolin R with Novolin N: You can mix Novolin R with insulin NPH (Novolin N). Draw up Novolin R into your syringe first before Novolin N. An easy way to remember is "clear before cloudy," since Novolin R is clear and insulin NPH is usually a little cloudy. Inject right after mixing. Ask your care team if you're not sure how to mix these insulins. Don't mix Novolin R with any other types of insulin.
- For the Novolin R FlexPen - How to prime and prepare the pen: Prime the pen before each injection. After putting on a new needle, turn the dose selector to 2 units. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and tap it to move air bubbles to the top. Keep the needle pointing up, and press the push-button down. You should see a small drop of insulin at the needle tip and the dose selector should go back to "0." Then, turn the selector to your prescribed dose, and you're ready to inject.
- Where to inject Novolin R: Inject the medication under the skin in the stomach area, buttocks, or upper legs (thighs). Someone can also help inject it into the back of your upper arms. For each injection, pick a different spot within the area you choose. Don't inject into tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, or damaged skin. This helps prevent skin problems, like hard lumps or pitted, thickened, or irritated skin.
- After each Novolin R injection: Throw your used syringe and needle or used pen in a sharps container. You can also use a heavy-duty plastic container like an empty laundry detergent bottle. Don't throw away syringes, needles, or pens in your trash can. These tips help make sure you and others stay safe from needle sticks.
- How to store Novolin R vials: Keep unopened vials in the refrigerator until their expiration date. You can also keep them at room temperature (up to 77ºF) for up to 42 days. Keep opened vials at room temperature for up to 42 days. Don't put any opened vials back in the fridge.
- How to store Novolin R FlexPens: Store unused pens in the refrigerator until their expiration date. If needed, you can also keep unused pens at room temperature (up to 86ºF) for up to 28 days. Keep pens that are in use at room temperature for up to 28 days. Don't put any pens in use back in the fridge.
Common questions about Novolin R
Yes, Novolin R is available over the counter in most states. Technically, it's found "behind the counter." This means you'll have to ask the pharmacy staff for it. But you don't need a prescription from a healthcare professional to purchase it. Keep in mind that you should still use Novolin R under the guidance of a diabetes healthcare professional. This makes sure the insulin is used safely and appropriately. Talk to a member of your care team if you have questions about whether Novolin R is right for you.
Novolin R starts to lower blood sugar levels about 30 minutes after you inject it. That's why it's typically injected about 30 minutes before a meal. This helps control your blood sugar levels from the food you eat.
After you inject Novolin R, its blood-lowering effects last around 3 to 6 hours. That's why it's usually injected 2 to 3 times a day with your meals. If you have questions about how long each Novolin R injection works for you, ask your diabetes care team.
It's best to store unopened Novolin R vials or unused Novolin R FlexPens in the refrigerator so they stay good until their expiration dates. If needed, you can keep them at room temperature (up to 28 days for pens, and up to 42 days for vials). Don't refrigerate opened Novolin R vials or Novolin R FlexPens that you're using. If you're not sure how to store Novolin R, ask your care team or pharmacist.
This depends on whether you're using the Novolin R FlexPens or the Novolin R vials. For the FlexPens, they're good for up to 28 days after opening. And for the vials, they're good for up to 42 days after opening. Store opened vials and pens in use at room temperature. Never use insulin past its expiration date because it might not work as well to manage your blood sugar. Once the time limit is up or once Novolin R expires, throw the medication away.
No. Novolin R and Humulin R are different brand-name medications. But they both contain the same type of insulin: regular insulin. They each have 100 units/mL of insulin and are available without a prescription. A key difference is that Humulin R also comes in a more concentrated form called Humulin R U-500. It contains 500 units/mL of insulin. This concentrated form of Humulin R is available by prescription only and is usually for people who need very high doses of insulin each day. Talk to a healthcare professional to compare the options and see which one is right for you.
Novolin R and Novolin N sound similar, but they're two very different types of insulin. Novolin R is "regular insulin." It's a short-acting insulin that starts working in about 30 minutes and lasts up to 6 hours. Novolin R is typically used as a mealtime insulin. It's given before a meal to help manage blood sugar from the food you eat. In contrast, Novolin N is a type of "insulin isophane human" or "insulin NPH." It's an intermediate-acting insulin that starts working in 1 to 3 hours and lasts anywhere between 14 and 24 hours. Talk to a healthcare professional to compare more about these insulins.
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Risks and warnings for Novolin R
Novolin R 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.
Risk of infections from sharing injection supplies
Never share any insulin syringes or needles with anyone else. Also don't share Novolin R FlexPens, even if you've changed the needle tip. Sharing Novolin R and your other injection supplies can raise the risk of spreading serious infections.
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
- Risk factors: Changes in insulin strength | Changes in type of insulins you use | Changes in using insulin brand-name products | Sudden changes to where you inject
Changing your insulin or your insulin routine can affect how your body responds to the insulin. Examples include suddenly changing where you inject Novolin R or switching to a different brand name of insulin. These changes can lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. Also, injecting repeatedly into thickened or pitted areas of skin can affect how well your body absorbs the insulin. This can result in higher blood sugar levels.
If your diabetes care team tells you to make changes, follow their directions carefully. Check your blood sugar levels more often. This helps you see how the changes affect your blood sugar. Don't make changes to your Novolin R dose or insulin routine without checking with your diabetes care team first.
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
- Risk factors: Changes to diet, meal patterns, or exercise routine | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes | Liver or kidney problems | Not using Novolin R as directed
Novolin R can cause low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Sometimes, your blood sugar can drop too low. This can be dangerous and even life-threatening if not treated in time. Check your blood sugar regularly. Also check if you've made changes to your meal patterns, exercise routine, or other medications.
Be familiar with signs and symptoms of low blood sugar so you can catch it early. You might feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty, clammy, nervous, irritated, or confused. You could also have trouble paying attention or reacting quickly, which can be risky while driving. Keep in mind that low blood sugar can happen suddenly and look different for everyone.
It's important to know how to treat low blood sugar. Keep fast-acting sugars, like glucose tablets, with you at all times. This helps you get your blood sugar back up quickly. If you have low blood sugar, treat it right away and tell your diabetes care team. If it doesn't improve, get medical help right away.
Low potassium levels
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower potassium levels
Novolin R can cause low potassium levels, which can sometimes be dangerous. You're at greater risk if you also take medications that can lower potassium levels, like diuretics. If you're at risk, your prescriber might check your potassium levels with a blood test.
Some people might not have symptoms until their potassium levels drops pretty low. To be safe, be aware of signs of low potassium. Watch for weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, or a racing heart. If this happens while you're taking Novolin R, let your care team know right away. They can check your potassium levels and suggest ways to get them within a safe range.
Swelling and risk of heart failure when using with certain diabetes medications
- Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with insulin | History of heart failure
Taking Novolin R with diabetes medications called glitazones, like pioglitazone (Actos), can cause your body to hold onto extra fluid. This extra fluid can put stress on the heart, which can lead to or worsen heart failure.
Before you start using Novolin R, tell your prescriber if you have a history of heart failure. Also let them know about any other diabetes medications you're taking. They can make sure Novolin R is safe for you and follow up with you more often.
Tell your care team if you notice swelling in your legs or ankles while using Novolin R. Also let them know if you have trouble breathing or feel more tired than usual. These could be signs of fluid buildup or heart failure. Your care team can check what's going on.
Severe allergic reaction
Rarely, Novolin R can cause a serious, life-threatening reaction, like anaphylaxis. This can look like swelling in your face, lips, or tongue; rash; or trouble breathing. If this happens, call 911 right away.
Novolin R dosage
Typical dosage for Novolin R
The Novolin R dose is different for everyone. Your diabetes care team will find the right dose for you based on your blood sugar levels and how your body responds to insulin. They can adjust your dose to help your blood sugar levels stay within a target range.
In general, Novolin R is injected under the skin about 30 minutes before each meal. It's injected under the skin into the fatty tissue of your stomach, thigh, buttocks, or upper arm.
Note: Novolin R U-100 (insulin regular 100 units/mL) can be used to help control blood sugar for people who are in the hospital. In this case, a healthcare professional gives the insulin as an injection through the vein (IV).
Interactions between Novolin R and other drugs
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Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Esmolol
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Practolol
- Propranolol
- Sotalol
- Timolol
How much does Novolin R cost?
$8.82
Novolin R contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Novolin R will not be safe for you to take.
- When you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
What are alternatives to Novolin R?
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