From the FDA Drug Label
In standard biological assays in mice and rabbits, one unit of NOVOLOG has the same glucose-lowering effect as one unit of regular human insulin.
The FDA drug label does not provide a direct answer to how each unit of insulin aspart will bring down blood sugar. However, it states that one unit of NOVOLOG has the same glucose-lowering effect as one unit of regular human insulin.
- Glucose-lowering effect: The label does not specify the exact decrease in blood sugar per unit of insulin aspart.
- Pharmacodynamics: The time course of action of insulin aspart is affected by factors such as site of injection, exercise, and individual variability.
- Clinical studies: The label provides information on clinical studies comparing the safety and efficacy of NOVOLOG to regular human insulin, but does not provide a direct answer to the question. 1, 1, 1
From the Research
Insulin aspart typically lowers blood sugar by 30-50 mg/dL per unit, though this effect varies significantly between individuals, as shown in a study published in 2020 2. Each unit of insulin aspart works by facilitating glucose uptake into cells, primarily in muscle and fat tissue, by binding to insulin receptors on cell surfaces. The medication begins working within 10-20 minutes after injection, peaks in activity at 1-3 hours, and continues working for 3-5 hours total. Some key factors that influence the blood glucose-lowering effect of insulin aspart include:
- A person's insulin sensitivity
- Body weight
- Activity level
- Concurrent medications
- Overall metabolic state People with insulin resistance may require more units to achieve the same blood sugar reduction compared to insulin-sensitive individuals. To determine your personal insulin sensitivity factor (how much one unit lowers your blood glucose), divide 1800 by your total daily insulin dose if using mg/dL units, as suggested by previous studies 3, 4, 5, 6. Regular blood glucose monitoring is essential when using insulin aspart to avoid dangerous hypoglycemia and to optimize dosing for your specific needs. A recent study published in 2020 found that fast-acting insulin aspart was superior to insulin aspart in reducing 1-h postprandial glucose increment using a meal test, with an estimated treatment difference of -0.40 mmol/L (-7.23 mg/dL) 2. Additionally, the overall rate of treatment-emergent severe or blood glucose-confirmed hypoglycemia was statistically significantly lower for fast-acting insulin aspart versus insulin aspart, with an estimated treatment ratio of 0.81 (95% CI 0.68; 0.97) 2. It's worth noting that the effect of insulin aspart can vary depending on the individual and their specific condition, and it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.