insulin aspart 70/30
NovoLog Mix 70/30 is a combination of two types of insulin used to control blood sugar immediately after meals and throughout the day, but it might take time to find the right dose that works for your body.
What is NovoLog Mix 70/30?
What is NovoLog Mix 70/30 used for?
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
How NovoLog Mix 70/30 works
NovoLog Mix 70/30 is a mixture of two insulins, 70% insulin aspart protamine (intermediate-acting insulin) and 30% insulin aspart (rapid-acting insulin). Insulin is a natural hormone your body normally makes to lower glucose (sugar) levels in the blood. A combination of an intermediate-acting and a rapid-acting insulin helps to meet your body's insulin needs throughout the day as well as during meals.
Drug facts
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Side effects of NovoLog Mix 70/30
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
Type 1 diabetes:
- Low blood sugar (69%)
- Headache (35%)
- Flu-like symptoms (13%)
- Weight gain
- Injection site reaction (skin irritation, itching, rash, skin thickening)
Type 2 diabetes:
- Low blood sugar (47%)
- Cold-like symptoms (12%)
- Weight gain
- Injection site reaction (skin irritation, itching, rash, skin thickening)
Less Common Side Effects
Type 1 diabetes:
- Indigestion (9%)
- Back pain (7%)
- Diarrhea (7%)
- Sore throat (7%)
- Allergies-like symptoms (5%)
- Bone pain (5%)
- Cold-like symptoms (5%)
Type 2 diabetes:
- Headache (9%)
- Diarrhea (8%)
- Nerve pain (8%)
- Sore throat (6%)
- Stomach pain (5%)
- Allergies-like symptoms (5%)
NovoLog Mix 70/30 serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously low blood sugar (if not treated, severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness, seizures, and even death)
- Severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, swelling of face, tongue, and throat, difficulty breathing)
- Dangerously low levels of potassium (if not treated, it can lead to difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and even death)
More on NovoLog Mix 70/30 side effects
The following NovoLog Mix 70/30 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
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Pros and cons of NovoLog Mix 70/30
Pros
- Insulin is the most effective medication for lowering blood sugar levels. When used correctly, it will lower blood sugar every time you use it and prevent the harmful, long-term effects of high sugar levels on your organs and blood vessels.
- Provides dual action fast-acting and intermediate-acting sugar control throughout the day and for meals
- Starting insulin early in the treatment of type 2 diabetes can maintain your body's insulin-producing cells and slow down the worsening of your diabetes.
- Can be used even if you have liver or kidney problems, unlike many other diabetic medications.
- Available in 2 dosage forms: insulin pen and vial
- Generic is available unlike other brands of insulin
Cons
- You must be comfortable with checking your blood sugar regularly to take insulin
- You must be comfortable giving yourself injections
- Can cause weight gain and fat accumulation
- Has higher risk of low blood sugar compared to medications taken by mouth
- Combination insulins are harder to customize to individual needs
- Can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you do not take it consistently or have an inconsistent meal and exercise schedule
Pharmacist tips for NovoLog Mix 70/30
- If you are a type 1 diabetic, inject NovoLog Mix 70/30 up to 15 minutes before a meal. If you are a type 2 diabetic, you can give the injection up to 15 minutes before or after starting a meal. Do not give on an empty stomach, because it can increase your risk of severely low blood sugar levels.
- Don't skip meals when taking NovoLog Mix 70/30. Changes in meals or exercise regimen can cause changes in your blood sugar. Tell your healthcare provider if there are major changes in your diet or exercise habits since your medication will need to be adjusted.
- Don't shake the vial. Unopened vials and pens can be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date. Vials that are in use can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 28 days. Pens that you are currently using should not be stored in the refrigerator and should be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 14 days. Rotate injection sites to prevent skin irritation or fat accumulation under the skin.
- For proper use, inject NovoLog Mix 70/30 under your skin (subcutaneously) in your upper arm, abdomen (stomach area), buttocks, or thigh (upper leg). Never inject it into a vein or muscle. This can cause severely low blood sugar levels and infections. Ask your pharmacist about proper injection technique.
- Do not reuse needles. Always use a new needle for each injection. Reusing needles increases your chance of having blocked needles, which can cause you to get the wrong dose of NovoLog Mix 70/30. Using a new needle for each injection also lowers your risk of getting an infection.
- Teach yourself and your family members how to recognize and treat the symptoms of low blood sugar. The following are some common symptoms of low blood sugar: feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating or body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness or low energy and excessive hunger.
Common questions about NovoLog Mix 70/30
NovoLog Mix 70/30 releases a hormone called insulin into the body to lower sugar levels in the blood. It contains an intermediate-acting insulin that works throughout the day to help lower your blood sugar levels. It also contains a fast-acting insulin that starts to work within 10-20 minutes after injection.
NovoLog Mix 70/30 can be taken with other oral diabetic medications, like metformin, if your blood sugar level needs better control. Talk to your provider about your diabetic treatment and what medications may be right for you.
Yes, you need to prime your pen. To do this, you will turn the dose adjustor until the display reads 2 units. You will tap the pen to ensure any air bubbles move to the top of the pen towards the needle. With the needle still pointing upwards, remove the needle cover and press the push-button (not into your skin) until the dose display reads 0 unit. You should see a small amount of insulin come out of the needle. This ensures that you are getting the proper dosage of insulin and that your needle is not blocked.
Taking NovoLog Mix 70/30 without eating will put you at higher risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can sometimes be life-threatening. Symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating or body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness or low energy, and excessive hunger. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist on how to monitor your blood sugar and what to do if you have a low blood sugar event.
NovoLog Mix 70/30 is available as both a vial and a prefilled insulin pen. If you are using the vial, you must roll the vial gently in your hands in a flat position 10 times until the insulin looks white and cloudy. If you are using the pen, you will roll the pen between your hands in a flat position 10 times. Afterwards, flip the pen back and forth 10 times until the insulin looks white and cloudy. Do not inject if your insulin is only clear or has small particles in it. You can inject your insulin underneath the skin in the stomach region, buttocks, thigh or upper arm. Your healthcare provider will train you on how to use your vial or pen and how to properly administer the insulin.
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Risks and warnings for NovoLog Mix 70/30
NovoLog Mix 70/30 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.
Sharing of pens and needles
Never share NovoLog Mix 70/30 pens, syringes, or needles with anyone else. Sharing NovoLog Mix 70/30 with someone puts you at risk of getting very dangerous diseases and infections.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes | Age 65 or older | Liver or kidney problems | Not injecting insulin correctly
NovoLog Mix 70/30 alone or together with other diabetic medications can cause low blood sugar. Very low blood sugar may be life-threatening. Symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating or body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness or low energy, and excessive hunger. This can happen suddenly and is different for each person. Always keep a source of sugar around in case you begin to develop symptoms of low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about your dosing if you consistently experience low blood sugars.
Severe allergic reactions
Rarely, NovoLog Mix 70/30 can cause severe allergic reactions that can be life threatening. Go to the emergency room right away if you suddenly have problems breathing, a blistering skin rash with a high fever, or if you feel your face, mouth, or throat swell up.
Low blood potassium levels
- Risk factors: Taking laxatives | Taking medications that increase urination
NovoLog Mix 70/30 can lower levels of potassium in your blood which can be dangerous. You're more at risk if you're already taking medications that lower your potassium. Your healthcare provider will check your potassium levels regularly and might give you medications to keep your potassium level normal.
Drug interaction with thiazolidinediones
Your healthcare provider will monitor you more regularly if you are taking a medication in a drug class called thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone. Taking insulin with one of these medications can lead to a build up of fluid in your body and can cause or worsen heart failure.
NovoLog Mix 70/30 dosage
Typical dosage for NovoLog Mix 70/30
NovoLog Mix 70/30 is injected underneath the skin (subcutaneously) twice per day. The number of units of insulin is different for each person. It depends on if you are using it for type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, your weight, how well you respond to insulin, and your blood sugar levels.
Your healthcare provider will provide you with directions on how many units of insulin to inject, how to check your own blood sugar levels, and how to make any necessary adjustments in your insulin dose.
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