

		Important safety information \| Prescribing Information \| Glossary

NovoLog® is a short-acting bolus insulin

Intensive Insulin Therapy

The Goal of Intensive Insulin Therapy

The goal of intensive insulin therapy is to mimic the natural pattern of insulin release from the pancreas so that your blood sugar levels can be kept close to normal. In a person who doesn't have diabetes, the liver releases a constant flow of sugar into the blood. This helps keep the body's cells functioning 24 hours a day. The pancreas responds by releasing a steady amount of insulin (basal) into the bloodstream day and night. After meals, a sudden burst of insulin (bolus) is released—enough to cover the sugar produced when the food you eat is digested.

Click on the links below to learn more about intensive insulin therapy.

How does intensive insulin therapy work?
Insulin formulations
What does intensive insulin require?
Is intensive insulin therapy right for you?

How does intensive insulin therapy work?

You may have thought that intensive insulin therapy means simply taking more insulin. This is not always the case. In fact, you may not need to increase the total amount of insulin you take. With intensive insulin therapy, you change how you take insulin to maintain good blood sugar control.

Using intensive insulin therapy means planning your insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar throughout the day and night. Your insulin plan will include:

When to take your insulin
How much insulin you need to meet bolus insulin needs at mealtime
How much insulin you need to meet basal insulin needs to manage your blood sugar between meals

Insulin formulations

Using intensive insulin therapy usually means having an insulin plan that includes taking a long-acting insulin with a rapid-acting insulin analog such as NovoLog®, 3 or more times a day.

Rapid-acting insulin analogs are designed to mimic the body's natural insulin release after eating. This bolus insulin acts quickly to handle your increase in blood sugar after eating. You can take your insulin and eat within 5 to 10 minutes. Rapid-acting insulin analogs offer a flexible dosing schedule. You and your doctor can adjust your insulin to your eating and exercise habits. You and your doctor can also adjust your dose for high or low blood glucose levels.

Long-acting human insulin formulations provide basal insulin to help manage your blood sugar levels between meals.

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What does intensive insulin therapy require?

You need to be able to do certain things, including:

Work with your physician to personalize your medication regimen (work with your diabetes care team to structure therapy for your own personal needs)
Frequently monitor blood sugar levels
Use carbohydrate counting
Consistently communicate with your diabetes care team

Is intensive insulin therapy right for you?

Discuss these questions with your doctor or diabetes care team. Their understanding and support can help you start and stay with your plan.

Do I want more flexibility in my meals and physical activity?
Do I want to better manage my blood sugar?
Do I want to reduce my risk for the complications of diabetes?
Am I willing to inject insulin at least 3 times a day?
Am I ready to learn how to adjust my insulin dose based on my meals and activity?
Am I prepared to check my blood sugar often and regularly to help prevent hypoglycemia and to adjust my insulin dose?
Am I willing to inject insulin and check my blood sugar while away from home?

We hope you've found this overview of intensive insulin therapy helpful. For more information on intensive insulin therapy, talk with your diabetes care team. Together, you can decide if intensive insulin therapy is right for you. For more information on living with diabetes, visit the helpful resources page.

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NovoLog® [insulin aspart (rDNA origin) injection]

Indication and Usage:

NovoLog® is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Important Safety Information:

NovoLog® is a fast-acting insulin. You should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after using NovoLog® to avoid low blood sugar. Do not inject NovoLog® if you do not plan to eat right after using NovoLog®. Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take NovoLog®.

Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.

Do not mix NovoLog® with any other insulins when used in a pump or with any insulins other than NPH when used with injections by syringe.

Do not take NovoLog® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in NovoLog®. If you take too much NovoLog® your blood sugar may fall too low.

Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your NovoLog® dose may change if you take other medicines.

The most common side effect of insulin therapy, including NovoLog® is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Please click here for NovoLog® Prescribing Information.

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