Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Insulin Analog [EPC]
- How it is given
- intravenous, subcutaneous
- Type
- human prescription drug
- Brand names
- NOVOLOG
- RxNorm ID
- 1653202
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. NOVOLOG is rapid acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus ( 1 ).
About this medicine
Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting human insulin analog homologous with regular human insulin with the exception of a single substitution of the amino acid proline by aspartic acid in position B28, and is produced by recombinant DNA technology utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast). Insulin aspart has the empirical formula C 256 H 381 N 65 0 79 S 6 and a molecular weight of 5825.8 Da. Figure 1. Structural formula of insulin aspart. NOVOLOG (insulin aspart) injection is a sterile, clear, and colorless solution for subcutaneous or intravenous use. Each mL contains 100 units of insulin aspart and the inactive ingredients: disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (1.25 mg), glycerin (16.0 mg), metacresol (1.72 mg), phenol (1.50 mg), sodium chloride (0.58 mg), zinc (19.6 mcg), and Water for Injection, USP. NOVOLOG has a pH of 7.2-7.6. Hydrochloric acid 10% and/or sodium hydroxide 10% may be added to adjust pH. Fig. 1 - Structural Formula of Insulin Aspart
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The primary activity of insulin, including NOVOLOG is the regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin and its analogs lower blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis.
Who should not take it
is contraindicated: • During episodes of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • In patients with hypersensitivity to NOVOLOG or one of its excipients, [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • During episodes of hypoglycemia ( 4 ). • Hypersensitivity to NOVOLOG or one of its excipients.
Warnings and cautions
• Never share a NOVOLOG FlexPen or a NOVOLOG FlexTouch, PenFill cartridge or PenFill cartridge device between patients, even if the needle is changed ( 5.1 ). • Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia with changes in insulin regimen: Make changes to a patient’s insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring ( 5.2 ). • Hypoglycemia: May be life-threatening. Increase frequency of glucose monitoring with changes to: insulin dosage, concomitantly administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with renal or hepatic impairments and hypoglycemia unawareness ( 5. 3). • Medication Errors: Accidental mix-ups between insulin products can occur. Instruct patients to check insulin labels before injection ( 5. 4). • Hypersensitivity reactions: Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, may occur. Discontinue NOVOLOG, treat, and monitor, if indicated ( 5.5 ). • Hypokalemia: May be life-threatening. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if indicated ( 5. 6). • Fluid retention and heart failure with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs): Observe for signs and symptoms of heart failure; consider dosage reduction or discontinuation if heart failure occurs ( 5.7 ). • Hyperglycemia and Ketoacidosis Due to Insulin Pump Device Malfunction: Monitor glucose and administer NOVOLOG by subcutaneous injection if pump malfunction occurs ( 5.8 ). 5.1 Never Share a NOVOLOG FlexPen, NOVOLOG FlexTouch, PenFill Cartridge, or PenFill Cartridge Device between Patients NOVOLOG FlexPen, NOVOLOG FlexTouch, PenFill cartridge, and PenFill cartridge devices should never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using NOVOLOG vials must never share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. […]
Reported side effects
The following adverse reactions are also discussed elsewhere: • Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Hypoglycemia Due to Medication Errors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 )] • Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Adverse reactions observed with NOVOLOG include: hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, local injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, rash, and pruritus ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novo Nordisk Inc. at 1-800-727-6500 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying designs, the adverse reaction rates reported in one clinical trial may not be easily compared to those rates reported in another clinical trial, and may not reflect the rates actually observed in clinical practice. The safety of NOVOLOG was evaluated in two treat-to-target trials of 6 months duration, conducted in patients with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. The data in Table 1 reflect the exposure of 596 patients with type 1 diabetes to NOVOLOG in one clinical trial with a mean exposure duration to NOVOLOG of 24 weeks. The mean age was 39 years. Fifty-one percent were male, 94% were Caucasian, 2% were Black and 4% were other races. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.6 kg/m 2 . The mean duration of diabetes was 15.7 years and the mean HbA 1c at baseline was 7.9%. The data in Table 2 reflect the exposure of 91 patients with type 2 diabetes to NOVOLOG in one clinical trial with a mean exposure duration to NOVOLOG of 24 weeks. The mean age was 57 years. Sixty-three percent were male, 76% were Caucasian, 9% were Black and 15% were other races. The mean BMI was 29.7 kg/m 2 . The mean duration of diabetes was 12.7 years and the mean HbA 1c at baseline was 8.1%. Common adverse reactions were defined as events that occurred in ≥5%, excluding hypoglycemia, of the population studied. […]
Interactions with other medicines
The table below presents clinically significant drug interactions with NOVOLOG. Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics. Intervention: Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLOG is concomitantly administered with these drugs. Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of NOVOLOG Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention: Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLOG is concomitantly administered with these drugs. Drugs That May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of NOVOLOG Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. Pentamidine may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia. Pentamidine may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia. Intervention: Dose adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLOG is concomitantly administered with these drugs. Drugs That May Blunt Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine and reserpine Intervention: Increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when NOVOLOG is concomitantly administered with these drugs. • Drugs that may increase the risk of hypoglycemia: antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics ( 7 ). […]
Use in specific groups
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available information from published randomized controlled trials with insulin aspart use during the second trimester of pregnancy have not reported an association with insulin aspart and major birth defects or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes [see Data] . There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations] . In animal reproduction studies, administration of subcutaneous insulin aspart to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not cause adverse developmental effects at exposures 8-times and equal to the human subcutaneous dose of 1 unit/kg/day, respectively. Pre- and post-implantation losses and visceral/skeletal abnormalities were seen at higher exposures, which are considered secondary to maternal hypoglycemia. These effects were similar to those observed in rats administered regular human insulin [see Data] . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6 to 10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with a periconceptional HbA 1c >7% and has been reported to be as high as 20 to 25% in women with a periconceptional HbA 1c >10%. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo-Fetal Risk Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia related morbidity. Data Human Data Published data from 5 randomized controlled trials of 441 pregnant women with diabetes mellitus treated with insulin aspart during the late 2 nd trimester of pregnancy did not identify an association of insulin aspart with major birth defects or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. […]
If too much is taken
Excess insulin administration may cause hypoglycemia and hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 , 5.6 )] . Mild episodes of hypoglycemia usually can be treated with oral glucose. Adjustments in drug dosage, meal patterns, or exercise may be needed. More severe episodes with coma, seizure, or neurologic impairment may be treated with intramuscular/subcutaneous glucagon or concentrated intravenous glucose. Sustained carbohydrate intake and observation may be necessary because hypoglycemia may recur after apparent clinical recovery. Hypokalemia must be corrected appropriately.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 15 December 2023. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.