Composition: Insulin aspart 100 units/ml.
Presentation: Vials, Penfill cartridges and Novolet prefilled syringe.
Storage and stability: Store at 2-8C. Do not freeze. Keep container in outer carton to protect from light. Products in use should be kept at a temperature not above 30C for up to four weeks.
Action: Fast-acting human insulin analogue.
Indications: Treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus.
Contraindications: Hypoglycaemia, hypersensitivity.
Dosage and administration: By subcutaneous injection. Insulin aspart has a faster onset and shorter duration of action than soluble human insulin and should generally be given immediately before a meal.
Pregnancy and lactation, limited clinical experience in pregnancy. No restrictions on use during lactation.
Overdosage and drug interactions: See SPC.
Precautions: Patients whose blood glucose control is greatly improved may experience a change in their usual warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Fast onset of action should be considered in patients where a delayed absorption of food might be expected. Patients may require an increased number of daily injections or a change in dosage. There have been no studies in children under the age of six. See SPC.
Side effects: Hypoglycaemia, oedema and refraction anomalies on instituting therapy, local hypersensitivity, lipodystrophy. Generalised hypersensitivity reactions are rare but potentially life-threatening.
Net price: Novorapid vial 10ml £15.71; Novorapid Penfill cartridge 3ml 5 £26.78; Novorapid Novolet prefilled syringe 3ml 5 £29.62.
Supplier: Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Broadfield Park, Brighton Road, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT. Tel 01293 613555, fax 01293 613535.
Legal class: POM.