Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine is an antidiabetic drug that comes with a combination of two different types of insulin, first the insulin aspart (rapid-acting insulin) and second the insulin aspart protamine (intermediate-acting insulin). It was approved by the U.S. FDA in July 2000 to treat diabetes.

Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine is used to treat diabetes mellitus (a chronic clinical disease where too much glucose is present in the blood).

Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine should only be administered by a trained doctor or nurse. It will be given shortly before a meal. The medicine will be given as a subcutaneous injection, which means that the insulin is injected into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin, using a needle and syringe or a prefilled insulin pen device. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the treatment based on your disease severity and other factors. Do not self-administer the medication.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine are injection site reaction, weight gain, low potassium levels in the blood, itching, and rashes. Some serious side effects also include low blood sugar levels, breathing trouble, and hypersensitivity reactions. If you experience any allergic or unusual reactions after taking this medicine, report them to your doctor immediately.

It is necessary to check your blood sugar with a home blood sugar meter (glucometer). When your blood sugar is high for too long, you may experience increased urination, feeling thirsty, feeling sick (nausea or vomiting), feeling drowsy or tired, abdominal pain, a flushed face, and a fruity (acetone) smell of breath. These may be signs of a very serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis where there is a build-up of acid in the blood because the body is breaking down fat instead of sugar. Please consult the doctor immediately if you have the above symptoms. This Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine may cause injection site reactions, such as pain, redness, itching, or swelling at the injection site. These reactions are usually mild and go away on their own, but if they persist or become severe, contact your doctor immediately. This medicine is not recommended for use in children under the age of 2 years. Also, it is not intended for intravenous administration, because the intravenous use of insulin can lead to hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or other serious side effects.

Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine should be used with caution in individuals with severe hepatic(liver) or renal(kidney) impairment, as insulin requirements may be reduced in these patients. Some medications such as corticosteroids may affect blood sugar control and insulin dose adjustment is required. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to consult with your doctor before using this penfill. During pregnancy, insulin requirements may change, and it is important to monitor blood sugar levels closely to ensure optimal glucose control for both the mother and the developing fetus. In case you are already using this injection and become pregnant, do not stop taking your insulin without first consulting with your doctor. It is important to maintain good glucose control during pregnancy to minimize the risk of complications for both you and your baby.

Insulin Aspart, Insulin Aspart Protamine comes in a pre-filled pen device that is easy to use and can be carried with you wherever you go. Check the expiration date on the pen device and do not use it if it has expired. Keep a record of your blood sugar levels, insulin doses, and any symptoms or side effects you experience, and share this information with your healthcare provider. Carry a source of fast-acting sugar, such as glucose tablets or juice, with you in case your blood sugar levels become too low. Do not refrigerate or freeze the pen device, and do not expose it to temperatures above 30°C.

1. Package leaflet: Information for the User Novomix- medicines. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7920.pdf (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
2. Ema (2021) Novomix, European Medicines Agency. Available at:  https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/novomix (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
3. Product monograph including Patient Medication Information - Novo Nordisk. Available at: https://www.novonordisk.ca/content/dam/Canada/AFFILIATE/www-novonordisk-ca/OurProducts/PDF/novomix30-product-monograph.pdf (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
4. Insulin aspart protamine and insulin Aspart Mix 70/30 PI. Available at: https://www.novo-pi.com/insulinaspartmix.pdf (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
5. E.R. Pearson, R.J. McCrimmon, Diabetes mellitus, Davidson's Principles & Practice of Medicine, 22nd Edition, 2014, 797-836.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.