Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to any kind of insulin. You should not use this medicine while your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia).
Uses:
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
A doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will teach you how to give your insulin shots. Make sure you understand how to use the medicine before giving yourself a shot.
It is usually best to use this medicine about 15 minutes before eating. Talk with your doctor about your personal schedule, because your needs may be different.
Use a new needle each time you inject your medicine. You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given (often your stomach area, thigh, or upper arm). Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Before using, mix the insulin by rolling the cartridge, FlexPen® syringe, or vial between your palms 10 times. Turn the cartridge or FlexPen® upside down at least 10 times, so the glass ball moves from one end to the other. You do not need to turn the vial upside down before using. The insulin should look cloudy or milky after mixing. Use your dose of insulin right away after mixing it.
Do not change the brand of your insulin unless your doctor tells you to. When you get a new supply of insulin, check the label to be sure it is the correct type of insulin.
Do not mix NovoLog® 70/30 with any other insulin.
If a dose is missed:
Ask your doctor or nurse what to do if you miss a dose of insulin.
Storage:
Store insulin containers that have not been opened in the refrigerator in the original carton. Do not freeze. Do not use the insulin if it has been frozen.
Store the opened vial of insulin in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you cannot keep your vial of insulin in the refrigerator, you may store it at room temperature for up to 28 days. Keep the vial as cool as possible and away from heat and light.
Store the opened cartridge or FlexPen® at room temperature for up to 14 days. Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Ask your nurse, pharmacist, or other health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover or outdated medicine. Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Some medicines can make it harder for you to control your diabetes. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using, including clonidine (Catapres®), niacin (vitamin B3), pentamidine (NebuPent®), a sulfa drug, oral diabetes medicine (such as glyburide, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, Glucophage®), a steroid (such as cortisone, prednisone, methylprednisolone), a quinolone antibiotic (such as Cipro®), or blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, Inderal®, Toprol®).
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you smoke.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using any medicines that can lower the potassium levels in your blood. One kind of medicine that can affect blood potassium is a diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix®).
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or neuropathy (nerve problems). Tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) while you are using insulin. Low blood sugar is more likely to happen if you are sick, miss a meal, drink alcohol, or change the amount of time you exercise.
If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel shaky, weak, drowsy, cold, confused, or very hungry. You may sweat or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, trouble concentrating, or a headache that doesn't go away. Ask your doctor what you should do if you have low blood sugar. You will need to control it quickly.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
This medicine is only part of a complete program for controlling diabetes. You can also help yourself through diet, exercise, and checking your blood sugar.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting
Fainting or seizures
Fast heartbeat
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Redness, itching, swelling, or any changes in your skin where the shot is given
