Is Novolog A Fast Acting Insulin

Key Points About Taking Humalog

In addition to referring to the pamphlet and website mentioned above, here are some key points about taking Humalog:

• If youre using a Humalog KwikPen or Humalog cartridge in a reusable pen, dont share your pen with another person, even if youve changed the needle. And if youre using Humalog vials, dont share needles or insulin syringes with other people. Sharing needles could put you at risk for catching or spreading infections that are carried in the blood.
• If you use more than one type of insulin, always check the label on your insulin before having an injection. Taking the wrong insulin by accident could cause you to have low blood sugar.
• You should inject Humalog just under the skin of your thigh, abdomen , buttock, or upper arm. Dont inject it into a vein or muscle.
• Use a different injection site each time you inject Humalog. This reduces the risk for lipodystrophy .
• Dont inject Humalog into skin thats tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, or damaged.

What Are Peoples Reviews Of Novolog

Take your blood sugar before meals and 2 hours after. This works best for me. Keep glucose tablets on hand. Exercise increases the chance of low blood sugar episodes as it can lower the amount of insulin needed. However, exercise helps with diabetes in the long run. Test blood sugar frequently for best control.

Differences Between Humalog Versus Novolog

A couple of major differences are being reported by users between Novolog and Humalog. Especially among pumpers who switch from Humalog to Novolog, reports have surfaced that Novolog appears to be both stronger and quicker than Humalog, and doses have to be cut in order to prevent hypoglycemia. Dose reductions are often in the 10% range, and it may be wise to reduce doses right away to prevent unwanted lows. If instead, blood sugars rise, doses can always be raised again.

The clearly defined action times of the fast insulin makes it easier to troubleshoot problems. For information on how to determine the number of carbs covered by each unit, see the Carb Factor 2.6 Rule. Humalog and Novolog are also excellent for lowering high blood sugars with less time spent at high blood sugar levels, and less residual insulin left to trigger low blood sugars later. For information on how to safely lower highs, see the 1800 Rule,

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Example #: Formulas Commonly Used To Create Insulin Dose Recommendations

This example illustrates a method for calculating of your background/basal and bolus doses and estimated daily insulin dose when you need full insulin replacement. Bear in mind, this may be too much insulin if you are newly diagnosed or still making a lot of insulin on your own. And it may be too little if you are very resistant to the action of insulin. Talk to your provider about the best insulin dose for you as this is a general formula and may not meet your individual needs.

The initial calculation of the basal/background and bolus doses requires estimating your total daily insulin dose:

How Much They Cost

Looking at average retail prices across the U.S., Humalog is slightly cheaper than on a per insulin unit basis. The average retail price for a 10 mL vial of Humalog is $332 compared to $351 for a 10 mL of Novolog. Humalog is also available as a cheaper generic known as , whereas no generic version for Novolog exists yet. The average retail price for generic insulin lispro is $180 for a 10 mL vial.

Insulin prices in the U.S. have been on the rise for several years now, but there are ways for you to save. First, see if your insurance plan covers Humalog and/or Novolog. If not, manufacturer savings cards, patient assistance programs, and pharmacy coupons can also help offset the cost. Find prices and details on these savings options by searching for Humalog and Novolog on goodrx.com.

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Is There Anything In Between Rapid

Yes. There are short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins available.

• Short-acting insulins are used like rapid-acting insulin to cover blood sugar elevation from eating.

• Intermediate-acting insulins are similar to long-acting insulins as they are used to cover blood sugar elevations when the rapid-acting or short-acting insulins finish working.

Example #: Carbohydrate Coverage At A Meal

First, you have to calculate the carbohydrate coverage insulin dose using this formula:

CHO insulin dose = Total grams of CHO in the meal ÷ grams of CHO disposed by 1 unit of insulin .

For Example #1, assume:

• You are going to eat 60 grams of carbohydrate for lunch
• Your Insulin: CHO ratio is 1:10

To get the CHO insulin dose, plug the numbers into the formula:

CHO insulin dose =

• The carbohydrate coverage dose is 6 units of rapid acting insulin.
• The high blood sugar correction dose is 2 units of rapid acting insulin.

Now, add the two doses together to calculate your total meal dose.

Carbohydrate coverage dose + high sugar correction dose = 8 units total meal dose!

The total lunch insulin dose is 8 units of rapid acting insulin.

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Is This Generic Insulin

Not exactly, though many in the Diabetes Community may describe it as such.

The term generic has been loosely applied to copycat versions of name brand insulins sold at lower prices, or to older, less reliable forms of human insulin. But the reality is there are no true generic insulins available defined as chemically identical to brand-name products and with the same efficacy, but sold at much cheaper prices.

This is also not the same as the that both Lilly and Novo launched in 2019 as half-priced versions of their main insulins Lillys version of Humalog is known as insulin lispro, while Novos version of Novolog is named insulin aspart. It can get a bit confusing, because those two names are technically the scientific names of the particular insulins.

For this new offering, Walmart is simply buying Novolog insulin before it is packaged under that regulated product label, and instead labeling it as ReliOn Novolog to be sold exclusively at Walmart and its affiliate stores like Sams Club.

This is considered a private label approval and Walmart is a private label distributor, which does not participate in the manufacture or processing of a drug but instead markets and distributes under its own trade name and labels a drug product made by someone else, Novos Bachner told DiabetesMine.

So, you can see that the terminology is mired in technicality, but that doesnt matter to most of us just trying to get our insulin at an affordable price.

Dosage For Type 2 Diabetes

The product information for Humalog and Humalog Mix doesnt give exact dosage recommendations for treating type 2 diabetes. Thats because the recommended dosage depends on many individual factors, including those listed above.

When you start using insulin for type 2 diabetes, youll typically use a long-acting insulin once or twice a day. If this doesnt manage your blood sugar well enough, then youll start using a fast-acting insulin such as Humalog at mealtimes as well.

Humalog

If youre using Humalog, the American Diabetes Association recommends a starting dosage of about 4 units, or 10% of your long-acting insulin dosage, each day.

To start with, youll typically take Humalog up to 15 minutes before or right after your largest meal of the day. Depending on how well this manages your blood sugar, your doctor may also want you to take Humalog with other meals as well. Theyll adjust your dosage of Humalog to help you reach your blood sugar level goals.

Humalog Mix

If youre using Humalog Mix, youll typically split your total daily insulin dosage into two injections. Youll typically have one injection 15 minutes before breakfast and the other 15 minutes before dinner.

Humalog Mix contains a combination of fast and intermediate-acting insulin. This helps manage mealtime surges in blood sugar, and then blood sugar level changes between meals or at night.

Each dose of Humalog Mix is intended to cover two meals, or one meal and a snack.

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What Other Drugs Will Affect Insulin Aspart

Insulin may not work as well when you use other medicines at the same time. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all medicines you start or stop using.

Reasons To Consider Novolog Mix 70/30 Over Human Premixed Insulin In Adult Patients With Diabetes:

Flexible dosing

Dosed within 15 minutes before or after starting a meal in patients with type 2 diabetes, unlike the required 30 minutes before meals with human premixed insulin1

Only premixed insulin available in the discreet, prefilled, dial-a-dose NovoLog®Mix 70/30 FlexPen®

Cost and coverage

Similar co-pay as human premixed insulin on most managed care plansa

Physiologic profile

More closely matches the body’s physiologic insulin profile than human premixed insulin1,2

aManaged care plans only. Does not include Medicaid. Multiple products within the same therapeutic class may be considered preferred and on the same tier.

Needles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.

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Comparing Fiasp To Today’s Fast

Take a look at all five of the fast-acting insulin options currently available to get a better understanding of this unique timing feature.

Fiasp was designed to more closely mimic the natural physiology of human insulin produced by a person without diabetes to prevent those pesky post-meal blood sugar spikes. By getting into your system faster, it helps to absorb the glucose from your digested meal more quickly.

While most fast-acting insulins would need to be dosed 20 minutes before eating to prevent that post-meal spike, Fiasp could be dosed up to 20 minutes after eating and still reduce that post-meal spike.

It’s been described by expert CDEs as working 50 percent harder during those first 30 to 60 minutes that its in your system, compared to Novolog, Humalog, and Apidra.

However, compared to Afrezza, its actually a bit slower. But Afrezza is an inhaled insulin — not easily covered by insurance — and thus, sort of in a category of its own.

Is This The Same As Novolog

Yes, it is.

is a rapid-acting insulin analog approved by the Food and Drug Administration for both children and adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to use for mealtime doses and high blood sugar corrections. Made by Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk, its one of the most common insulins in use, administered via syringe and vial, insulin pen or through an insulin pump. Novolog has been around since 2000, following Eli Lillys Humalog that was the first new rapid-acting analog insulin 4 years earlier.

This Walmart version called ReliOn Novolog is the same drug as regularly-branded Novolog, just with a different name on the product. So, skeptics who say, the quality will be what you pay for are simply incorrect its the exact same insulin.

Think of it like the same water coming out of the same tap at the manufacturers facility, but going into a different bottle or pen with a slightly revised label.

Walmart has sold its private label of ReliOn insulin since 2000, with Novos insulin being the co-branding partner for most of those years, except for 2010 to 2012 when Eli Lilly nabbed the contract for its insulins to be co-branded as ReliOn.

New ReliOn Novolog brings a better, faster-acting bolus insulin as an option at Walmart for the first time.

As always, its important to talk with your healthcare team about whether this or any insulin might be best for you.

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Fast Facts To Remember About Fiasp

Converting patients from another mealtime insulin can be done on a unit-to-unit basis2

Dosage should be based on each patients unique metabolic needs and glycemic results and goal2

Fiasp® provides 3 delivery options: Fiasp® FlexTouch® pen, PenFill® cartridge, and a vial

Dr. Pettus was compensated for his participation in this video.

What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Using Insulin Aspart

You should not use insulin aspart if you are allergic to it, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia .

Insulin aspart is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old, and should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age. Fiasp is for use only in adults.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease or
• low levels of potassium in your blood .

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone . Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor’s instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

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What Is Insulin Aspart

Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin aspart is a fast-acting insulin that starts to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and keeps working for 2 to 4 hours.

Insulin aspart is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. This medicine is sometimes used together with a long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin.

Insulin aspart may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

How To Use Novolog Vial

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.

Learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the insulin. Insulin aspart should be clear and colorless.

Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change where you inject each time to lessen the risk of problems or damage under the skin . Insulin aspart may be injected in the stomach area, the thigh, the buttocks, or the back of the upper arm. Do not inject into skin that is red, swollen, itchy, or damaged. Do not inject cold insulin because this can be painful. The insulin container you are currently using can be kept at room temperature.

Inject this medication under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually 5 to 10 minutes before meals. Do not inject into a vein or muscle because very low blood sugar may occur. Because this insulin is fast-acting, do not use insulin aspart if you are unable to eat right after the injection or if you have low blood sugar. Not eating right after a dose of this insulin may lead to low blood sugar . Do not rub the area after the injection.

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According To Rachel Head Cde Fiasp Could Be Especially Beneficial For

People who eat low-fat, high-carb diets

For people who eat higher-carb but lower-fat meals, Fiasp could be a great option. Keep in mind that for high-carb carbohydrates the digestion could be delayed enough that youd have to split your insulin dose to prevent crashing low before the rest of those carbs have been digested fully. A high-carb meal mixed with a lot of protein and fat would definitely require a split in your insulin dose.

For some children

Fiasp can also be helpful in dosing insulin in young children. Typically, you’d wait to give a young child their insulin dose for a meal because you can’t be sure just how much lunch or dinner they’ll actually eat.

By using Fiasp, you can dose insulin halfway through their meal, or even after a child is done eating and significantly lower that post-meal spike. *However, Fiasp had not been studied in children at the time this article was published, which means getting insurance coverage may be tricky.

During pregnancy

In the last few months of pregnancy with diabetes, women will find they usually need to dose their insulin 30 to 40 minutes before eating because of the impact of rising pregnancy hormones. Those hormones lead to tremendous insulin resistance!

How Long Does Humalog Last

The general length of time Humalog lasts is about 4 hours, and Humalog Mix lasts for about 22 hours. Humalog and Humalog Mix are the two types of Humalog.

How long Humalog and Humalog Mix last can vary between people. And the times can also change for the same person. This could depend on your dose, the area of your body where you had the injection, and how physically active youve been.

If you have questions about how long Humalog may last for you, talk with your doctor.

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Dosage For Type 1 Diabetes

The product information for Humalog and Humalog Mix doesnt give exact dosage recommendations for treating type 1 diabetes. Thats because the recommended dosage depends on many individual factors, including those listed above.

Your doctor will calculate your total daily insulin dosage, based on how much you weigh. According to the American Diabetes Association, a typical daily insulin dosage for type 1 diabetes is about 0.4 to 1.0 unit of insulin for each kilogram of your body weight.

Most people take about half their daily insulin dose as a fast-acting insulin, such as Humalog, at mealtimes. They take the rest as an intermediate- or long-acting insulin once or twice a day.

Youll typically take Humalog up to 15 minutes before each meal or right after each meal. How much Humalog you should take with each meal may vary. Your healthcare provider will teach you how to adjust your dose. The dosage is typically based on your premeal blood sugar level, the amount of carbohydrates in your meal, and how physically active you are.

Depending on the dosage you need, you may require more than one injection.

Insulin pump

In addition to being given as injections, Humalog U-100 can also be used in an insulin pump. If youre using Humalog in an insulin pump, your doctor will explain how and when to take the medication.

Intravenous injection

Humalog Mix

Humalog Mix contains a combination of fast- and intermediate-acting insulins.