Insulin Aspart
Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.
- Generic name
- Insulin aspart
- Brand names
- NovoLog, NovoRapid
- Drug class
- Rapid-acting insulin analogue
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What Insulin aspart is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Insulin aspart works
Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting human insulin analogue. It promotes cellular potassium uptake, which is the basis of its hypokalemia risk. Not established from the sources reviewed: further mechanistic detail beyond this was not established in the sources reviewed for this page. (1)
What Insulin aspart is used for
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (adults and children)
Used to improve glycemic control, typically as mealtime (rapid-acting) insulin combined with a separate basal (longer-acting) insulin, under a treatment plan set by a healthcare professional. (1) (2) (3)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adults)
Used to improve glycemic control as part of an individualized diabetes treatment plan. (1) (2) (3)
Before taking Insulin aspart
Do not take / not appropriate for
- hypersensitivity to insulin aspart or its excipients. (Contraindication) (1)
- during episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). (Contraindication) (1)
Tell your clinician about
(1) (2) (3)How to take Insulin aspart
- Insulin aspart is given by subcutaneous injection (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks), by intravenous infusion in a hospital setting under medical supervision, or continuously through an insulin pump. Use exactly the dose, timing, and injection technique your healthcare professional prescribes.
- Dosing is individualized based on blood glucose monitoring and metabolic needs and must be set by a healthcare professional. This page does not provide a dose calculator or a standard starting dose.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Missed dose
Insulin dosing schedules are individualized and tied to meals and blood glucose monitoring. Follow the specific instructions your prescriber has given you for a missed or delayed dose; do not use a generic rule, since taking insulin at the wrong time relative to food can cause dangerous blood sugar swings.
Overdose
Too much insulin can cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening. This requires immediate medical attention and glucose monitoring/treatment if someone shows signs of severe low blood sugar such as confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. (1) (2) (3)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Incidence: Common
Injection-site reactions
Incidence: Common
Lipodystrophy (changes in fat tissue at injection sites)
Incidence: Common
Weight gain
Incidence: Common
Signs of allergic reaction (rash, swelling)
(1)Symptoms of severe or worsening low blood sugar (confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness) — seek emergency care
(1)Symptoms of very high blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis if using an insulin pump — seek prompt medical care
(1)Serious warnings
Boxed warning — serious
Symptoms: Boxed warning: if you use insulin aspart with an insulin pump (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion), a malfunction of the infusion set or pump can lead to hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Seek prompt medical care if you notice signs of very high blood sugar or ketoacidosis.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1) (2) (3)
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a key risk — serious
Symptoms: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a key risk. Symptoms can include trembling, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat; severe episodes may cause seizures or loss of consciousness. Carry a fast-acting source of carbohydrate and seek urgent medical help for severe or worsening symptoms.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1) (2) (3)
Insulin promotes movement of potassium into cells and can cause dangerously low blood potassium (hypokalemia), particularly at higher doses — serious
Symptoms: Insulin promotes movement of potassium into cells and can cause dangerously low blood potassium (hypokalemia), particularly at higher doses. This requires clinical monitoring by your healthcare team.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1) (2) (3)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Other antidiabetic agents | Increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when combined with insulin aspart. Any changes to your diabetes medicine regimen should be directed by your healthcare team. | (1) |
| Beta-blockers | May mask the usual warning symptoms of hypoglycemia (such as rapid heartbeat), making low blood sugar harder to notice. Discuss blood-sugar monitoring plans with your clinician if you take a beta-blocker. | (1) |
| MAOIs and thiazolidinediones | Can potentiate (strengthen) insulin's glucose-lowering effect, increasing hypoglycemia risk. Dose adjustments, if needed, must be made by your healthcare team. | (1) |
| Corticosteroids | Can antagonize (reduce) insulin's glucose-lowering effect, potentially raising blood sugar. Your healthcare team may need to adjust your insulin regimen. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Children
Approved for children with type 1 diabetes mellitus; specific pediatric dosing is individualized by a healthcare professional. No further pediatric-specific detail was established in the sources reviewed for this page. (1) (2) (3)
Pregnancy
Discuss use during pregnancy with your healthcare team. (1) (2) (3)
Renal_impairment
Discuss with your healthcare professional if you have kidney or liver impairment. (1) (2) (3)
Hepatic_impairment
Discuss with your healthcare professional if you have kidney or liver impairment. (1) (2) (3)
Breastfeeding
The US label states there are no data on the presence of insulin aspart in human milk, on the effects on a breastfed infant, or on the effect on milk production; one small published study reported that exogenous insulin, including insulin aspart, was present in human milk, but there is insufficient information to determine the effects on a breastfed infant. The label advises weighing the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding against the mother's clinical need for insulin aspart and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant or from the underlying condition. LactMed states that mothers with diabetes using insulin may nurse their infants, and that exogenous insulin, including newer biosynthetic insulins such as aspart, is excreted into breast milk. Discuss your insulin regimen while breastfeeding with your diabetes team. (1) (2) (3)
Monitoring
(1) (2) (3)Storage
Store unopened vials or pens in a refrigerator at 36-46°F (2-8°C); do not freeze. Once opened or in use, keep at room temperature and discard after 28 days.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace the current FDA label or institutional insulin-prescribing protocols.
United States (NovoLog / insulin aspart)
Indication: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus glycemic control
Dose summary: The US FDA label describes fully individualized dosing based on blood glucose monitoring and metabolic needs, typically given as mealtime insulin combined with a separate basal insulin; no single fixed starting-dose figure is specified for general use.
Renal context: Patients with renal impairment may be at increased risk of hypoglycaemia and may require more frequent insulin aspart dose adjustment and more frequent blood glucose monitoring. The label states no fixed dose reduction: the dose is individualised to the route of administration, metabolic needs, blood glucose results and the glycaemic target. (1)
Hepatic guidance
Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk of hypoglycaemia and may require more frequent dose adjustment and more frequent blood glucose monitoring; no fixed dose reduction is specified.
Frequently asked questions
What is insulin aspart used for?
It is a rapid-acting insulin used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with type 1 diabetes, and in adults with type 2 diabetes.
What are the main risks of insulin aspart?
The main risks are hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and — if used with an insulin pump — hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis if the pump or infusion set malfunctions. Insulin can also cause low blood potassium (hypokalemia).
What should I do if I miss a dose of insulin aspart?
Follow the specific instructions your prescriber has given you, since insulin dosing is individualized and tied to meals and blood glucose monitoring. Do not use a generic missed-dose rule.
Can insulin aspart interact with other medicines?
Yes. Other antidiabetic agents, MAOIs, and thiazolidinediones can increase the glucose-lowering effect and hypoglycemia risk; beta-blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms; corticosteroids can reduce insulin's effect. Tell your healthcare team about all medicines you take.
What is the mechanism of action of Insulin aspart?
Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting human insulin analogue. It promotes cellular potassium uptake, which is the basis of its hypokalemia risk. Not established from the sources reviewed: further mechanistic detail beyond this was not established in the sources reviewed for this page. (1)
What is the generic name of Insulin Aspart?
The generic name is Insulin aspart. It is sold under brand names including NovoLog, NovoRapid.
What class of drug is Insulin aspart?
Insulin Aspart is classed as: Rapid-acting insulin analogue.
References
- US FDA label for NovoLog (insulin aspart) · · accessed · source 1
- UK electronic medicines compendium (emc) — NovoRapid (insulin aspart) ingredient listing and SmPC · · accessed · source 2
- Australian TGA, Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods — NovoRapid insulin aspart (rys) entries · · accessed · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Insulin aspart names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- NovoLog Mix 70/30100 [iU]/mL · remedyrepack inc.
- NOVOLOG100 [iU]/mL · novo nordisk
- Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart Mix 70/30100 [iU]/mL · novo nordisk pharma, inc.
- Fiasp100 [iU]/mL · novo nordisk
- MERILOG100 [iU]/mL · sanofi-aventis u.s. llc
- KIRSTY100 [iU]/mL · biocon biologics inc.
- Garzulys100 [iU]/mL · meitheal pharmaceuticals inc.
- .Insulin Aspart Protamine and Insulin Aspart100 [iU]/mL · a-s medication solutions
Canada
- NOVORAPID
- FIASP