From the Guidelines
NovoLog is a rapid-acting insulin analog that should be used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes, with a typical starting dose individualized based on the patient's weight, blood sugar levels, and other factors, often ranging from 0.2-0.6 units per kilogram of body weight daily, divided before meals, as recommended by the 2017 American Diabetes Association standards of medical care in diabetes 1.
Key Considerations for NovoLog Use
- NovoLog begins working within 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues working for 2-4 hours, making it particularly effective for mealtime blood sugar control.
- It should be injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm 5-10 minutes before meals.
- Patients should monitor blood glucose regularly when using NovoLog and be aware of hypoglycemia symptoms.
- Dosage adjustments may be needed during illness, stress, or changes in diet or physical activity.
Treatment Intensification Options
- If basal insulin plus a single injection of rapid-acting insulin before the largest meal does not achieve HbA1c targets, providers should consider advancing to a basal–bolus insulin regimen with 2 or more injections of rapid-acting insulin before meals 1.
- Alternatively, switching to thrice-daily premixed insulin analogues (70/30 aspart mix or a 75/25 or 50/50 lispro mix) may be considered 1.
- The choice of treatment intensification should be based on individual patient considerations, including weight, blood sugar levels, and other factors, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of each regimen, including weight loss, hypoglycemia risk, and cost 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Insulin Aspart is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Insulin Aspart is rapid acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus ( 1). The main use of NOVOLOG is to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus 2, 2, 2.
- Key points:
- Indication: Improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus
- Type of insulin: Rapid acting human insulin analog
- Approved use: Adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus
From the Research
Overview of NOVOLOG
- NOVOLOG, also known as insulin aspart, is a short-acting insulin analogue with a faster onset and shorter duration of action than regular human insulin 3.
- It is used in the management of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, providing improved glycaemic control and a lower risk of hypoglycaemia compared to regular human insulin 3, 4.
Efficacy in Type 1 Diabetes
- Insulin aspart administered immediately before meals has been shown to provide significantly greater improvements in glycosylated haemoglobin and better postprandial glycaemic control than regular human insulin administered 30 minutes before meals 3.
- Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) with insulin aspart has been reported to provide better glycaemic control than multiple daily injections in patients with type 1 diabetes 3, 5.
Efficacy in Type 2 Diabetes
- Insulin aspart has been shown to provide similar glycaemic control to regular human insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes 3.
- Biphasic insulin aspart (BIAsp 30) has been reported to provide improved postprandial glucose control compared to biphasic human insulin 30 (BHI 30) and other insulin regimens in patients with type 2 diabetes 6.
Comparison with Other Insulins
- Insulin aspart has been compared to insulin lispro in several studies, with similar efficacy and pharmacodynamic profiles reported in patients with type 1 diabetes 4, 7.
- Insulin aspart has also been compared to regular human insulin, with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia and improved glycaemic control reported in several studies 3, 4.