NovoLog Warnings and Precautions

Before you begin using NovoLog, warnings and precautions for the drug should be discussed with your healthcare provider. You should also let him or her know if you have kidney or liver disease, as these conditions may affect your NovoLog dosage. You should also make sure you know the warnings signs for low blood sugar (as it is the most common side effect of insulin).

 

NovoLog: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking NovoLog® (insulin aspart) if you have:
 
  • Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
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Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
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Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Precautions and Warnings for NovoLog

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking NovoLog include the following:
 
 
  • NovoLog starts working very quickly. It is usually used to control blood sugar after meals. Once you inject a dose of NovoLog, you must start eating within 5 or 10 minutes in order to avoid dangerously low blood sugar.
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  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the most common (and usually most serious) side effect of insulin medications, including NovoLog. Make sure you and those around you know how to identify the warning signs for low blood sugar and how to respond. You must test your blood sugar levels regularly while taking NovoLog or any other insulin. Low blood sugar levels can be a life-threatening problem.
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  • If you inject NovoLog using a syringe (not a pump), you may mix it with certain other insulins. Check with your healthcare provider before mixing insulins. When mixing NovoLog with another insulin, you should always draw up NovoLog into the syringe first, before the other insulin.
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  • If you use NovoLog in an insulin pump, do not dilute it or mix it with other insulins.
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  • Liver and kidney problems may affect your NovoLog dosage. Also, changes in diet or exercise, illness, or stress may affect your blood sugar levels in such a way that your dosage needs to be adjusted.
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  • Make sure your healthcare provider shows you exactly how to inject NovoLog, how to store the drug, and how to dispose of your used needles.
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  • This diabetes medication can potentially interact with several other medications (see NovoLog Drug Interactions).
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  • NovoLog is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means it is most likely safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known (see NovoLog and Pregnancy).
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  • It is not known whether NovoLog passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see NovoLog and Breastfeeding).
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(NovoLog Warnings and Precautions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;