Insulin aspartate is used in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise plan to control high blood sugar in diabetic patients. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes can also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Insulin aspart is an artificial product similar to human insulin. It replaces the insulin that your body normally produces. Insulin aspart has a faster onset and a shorter duration than regular insulin. Its role is to help blood sugar (glucose) enter the cells so that your body can use it for energy. This medication is usually used with intermediate or long-acting insulin products.
Please read the patient information leaflet and instructions provided by the pharmacist before starting to use this medication and every time you replenish the medication. If you have any questions, please consult your doctor, diabetes educator or pharmacist.
Learn all preparation and usage instructions from your healthcare professional and product packaging.
Before use, visually check this product for particles or discoloration. If any of them are present, do not use insulin. Insulin aspart should be transparent and colorless.
Before each injection, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the location of each injection to reduce the risk of problems or damage under the skin (for example, pits/lumps or thickened skin). Insulin aspart can be injected into the stomach, thighs, buttocks or the back of the upper arms. Do not inject into red, swollen, itchy or damaged skin. Do not inject cold insulin, because it will be very painful. The insulin container you are currently using can be kept at room temperature.
Follow your doctor's instructions to inject this drug under the skin, usually 5 to 10 minutes before meals. Do not inject into a vein or muscle because very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may occur. Because this insulin has a fast onset of action, if you cannot eat or have low blood sugar after the injection, do not use insulin aspart. Failure to eat immediately after taking this insulin may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Do not rub the area after injection.
Injecting insulin aspart into a vein can only be done by a healthcare professional. May cause very low blood sugar.
If you are instructed to use an infusion pump to inject this insulin, please read the instruction manual and instructions that came with the infusion pump. If you have any questions, please consult your healthcare professional. Avoid exposing the pump or its pipes to direct sunlight or other heat sources. If you use an insulin pump, do not dilute your insulin.
This medication may be mixed with certain other insulin products (such as NPH insulin). Always draw insulin aspart into the syringe first, and then use long-acting insulin. Never inject a mixture of different insulins into a vein. Consult your healthcare professional for the correct method of mixing insulin and the correct method of injecting insulin mixtures. If you use an insulin pump, do not mix insulin.
If you are asked to add a mixed liquid (diluted) to insulin aspart before use, please consult your healthcare professional about the correct way to dilute insulin.
Do not change the brand or type of insulin without a doctor’s instructions.
Even if the needle is changed, do not share your pen device with others. You may bring serious infections to other people or get serious infections from them. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
The dosage depends on your medical condition and response to treatment. Measure each dose very carefully, because even small changes in the amount of insulin can have a big impact on your blood sugar.
Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Track your results and share with your doctor. This is very important for determining the correct insulin dose.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit. To help you remember, please use it at the same time every day.
If your condition does not improve or worsen (your blood sugar is too high or too low), please tell your doctor.
There may be injection site reactions (such as pain, redness, irritation) or weight gain. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Remember, this medication is prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you outweighs the risk of side effects. Many people who use this drug do not have serious side effects.
If you have any serious side effects, tell your doctor immediately, including: signs of low potassium in the blood (such as muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat).
This medication can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can happen if you are not getting enough calories from your food, or if you do unusually strenuous exercise, or if you take too much insulin. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, tremors, rapid heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling in the hands or feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gels to treat hypoglycemia. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, use fast sugar sources (such as sugar, honey, or candy) or drink fruit juice or non-weight-loss soda to raise blood sugar quickly. Tell your doctor immediately about the reaction and use of the product. To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat regularly and don’t skip meals. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to find out what to do if you miss a meal.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, shortness of breath, and bad breath. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. Your dose may need to be increased.
Very severe allergic reactions to this drug are rare. However, if you notice any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention, including: skin rash, itching/swelling (especially face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor and ask for medical advice about side effects. You can call 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch to report side effects to the FDA.
In Canada-call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Before using insulin aspart, please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or other insulin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which may cause allergic reactions or other problems. For more detailed information, please consult your pharmacist.
Do not use this medicine when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially: kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid problems.
Due to very low or very high blood sugar, you may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. Until you are sure that you can perform such activities safely, do not drive, use machinery, or perform any activities that require alertness or clear vision.
Limit alcohol when taking this drug because it increases the risk of hypoglycemia.
When your body is under stress (for example, due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery), your blood sugar may be more difficult to control. Consult your doctor, as this may require changes to your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar tests.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist all the products you use (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products).
Check your blood sugar before and after exercise. You may need to eat some snacks beforehand.
If traveling across time zones, consult your doctor about how to adjust your insulin schedule. Take extra insulin and supplies with you.
Older people may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially low blood sugar.
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially low blood sugar.
If you are pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Pregnancy may cause or aggravate diabetes. Discuss plans for blood sugar control during pregnancy with your doctor. Your doctor may change your diabetes treatment (such as diet and medication, including insulin) during your pregnancy.
This drug passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, your insulin needs may change.
Drug interactions may change the way drugs work or increase the risk of serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/over-the-counter drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine without the approval of your doctor.
The product that may interact with the drug is: rosiglitazone.
Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent you from the rapid/violent feeling that you would normally feel when your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) Heartbeat. Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating, are not affected by these drugs.
Many drugs can affect your blood sugar levels, making it more difficult for you to control your blood sugar. Before starting, stopping or changing any medicines, consult your doctor or pharmacist to find out how medicines affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor about the results and any symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also the side effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise plan, or diet.
If someone takes an overdose and has severe symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, please call 911. Otherwise, please call the poison control center immediately. U.S. residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call the provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: signs of low blood sugar, such as sweating, shaking, loss of consciousness, and rapid heartbeat.
Do not share this medicine, needle or syringe with others.
Join the diabetes education program to learn more about how to manage diabetes through medication, diet, exercise, and regular physical exams.
Understand the symptoms of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and how to treat hypoglycemia. Follow the instructions to check your blood sugar regularly and share the results with your doctor.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood count) should be performed while taking this medicine. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
Prepare additional insulin, syringes and needles.
Strictly following your insulin treatment plan is very important. If you miss a dose of insulin, ask your doctor in advance what you should do.
Different brands of this medicine have different storage requirements. Check the product packaging for instructions on how to store the brand, or consult your pharmacist. Protect insulin from light and heat. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze or use frozen insulin. Throw away all the insulin aspart in use after 28 days, even if there is still insulin. Throw away all insulin products after the expiration date on the package. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
If you use the drug in an insulin pump, do not store the drug in the pump for more than 6 days. Doing so may result in ineffective treatment and high blood sugar. Do not expose the insulin in the pump to direct sunlight or above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
Unless instructed, do not flush the medicine down the toilet or into the drain. When this product expires or is no longer needed, please discard this product properly. Please consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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Conditions of use: The information in this database is intended to supplement rather than replace the professional knowledge and judgment of healthcare professionals. This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, instructions, preventive measures, drug interactions, or adverse reactions, nor should it be interpreted as indicating that the use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you or any other person. Before taking any medication, changing any diet, or starting or stopping any course of treatment, you should consult a healthcare professional.
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