Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin (eg, stomach, thigh, buttocks, or upper arm) or into a vein.

Always check the label before use, to make sure you have the correct type of insulin. Do not change the brand, type, or concentration unless your doctor tells you to. If you use a pump or other device, make sure the insulin is made for that device.

Always double-check both the concentration (strength) of your insulin and your dose. Concentration and dose are not the same. The dose is how many units of insulin you will use. The concentration tells how many units of insulin are in each milliliter (mL), such as 100 units/mL (U-100), but this does not mean you will use 100 units at a time.

Each package of insulin aspart contains a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read this leaflet carefully and make sure you understand:

  • How to prepare the medicine.
  • How to inject the medicine.
  • How to use disposable insulin delivery device.
  • How to use external insulin pump.
  • How and when to change the infusion set, cartridge adapter, and insulin in the external insulin pump reservoir.
  • How to dispose of syringes, needles, and injection devices.

Do not inject into skin areas that are tender, bruised, scaly, hard, damaged, thick, or has pits, lumps, or scars.

This medicine should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is discolored, cloudy or thick, or has particles in it.

When used as a mealtime insulin, Novolog® and Insulin Aspart FlexPen® should be taken within 5 to 10 minutes before a meal or immediately before a meal. Take Fiasp® at the start of a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

When used in an insulin pump: Carefully read and follow the external insulin pump instructions. This insulin should not be mixed with any other insulin or diluted when used in an insulin pump. The insulin aspart in the pump should be changed at least every 6 days Fiasp® and 7 days for Novolog® and the infusion set and insertion site changed according to the instructions. If you do not understand how you are to use the insulin pump, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Use a new needle for the cartridge or pen each time you give yourself an injection. Always remove and throw the needle after each injection from the pen, and store without a needle attached.

When injecting the Fiasp® FlexTouch® pen or Insulin Aspart FlexPen®, slowly count to 6 before removing it from the skin to get your full dose of the medicine.

To use the Penfill® Cartridge:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Prime the pen by removing the air from the needle and cartridge until you see insulin at the needle tip. If you do not see a drop of insulin after 6 times, change the needle and repeat this step.
  • You should see a "0" in the dose window. Turn the dose selector clockwise to select the dose you need to inject.
  • Insert the needle into your skin and push the dose button all the way in. If you see "0" in the dose window, continue to hold it, then slowly count to 6 before removing it.
  • Use a new needle each time you give yourself an injection. Always remove and throw the needle after each injection. Store the pen without a needle attached. Do not use the pen if it is broken or damaged.

To use the FlexPen® or FlexTouch® Pen:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Prime the pen by removing the air from the needle and cartridge. Select 2 units when turning the dose knob.
  • Hold the pen with the needle pointing up, then gently tap the cartridge holder to collect the air bubbles at the top.
  • Press the push-button until it stops. You should see a "0" in the dose window.
  • You should see insulin at the needle tip. If you do not see insulin, repeat the priming steps but not more than 6 times. If there is still no insulin, do not use the pen.
  • Turn the dose selector, be careful not to press the push-button.
  • Insert the needle into your skin and press the push-button all the way in for at least 6 seconds. Keep pressing until the needle has been pulled out from the skin. This will make sure that you have received the full dose.
  • Use a new needle each time you give yourself an injection. Always remove and throw the needle after each injection. Store the pen without a needle attached. Do not use the pen if it is broken or damaged.

To use the PumpCart® Cartridge:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before installing the cartridge in the insulin pump.
  • Carefully read and follow the insulin pump instructions.
  • Replace the cartridge in the pump at least every 4 days, or according to the insulin pump instructions, whichever is shorter. Change the infusion set and infusion site according to the instructions.
  • Do not mix insulin aspart with other insulins in the pump. Do not use the cartridge in an insulin pen.
  • Do not use the cartridge if there is damage or leaks, if the plunger has moved, or if the bottom of the plunger is visible above the white label band.

To use the vial:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Use only syringes that are made for insulin injections. Use a new syringe and needle each time you give yourself an injection.
  • Do not mix this medicine with any other insulin.

Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your condition, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

You should never mix insulin aspart with other insulin injections without checking with your doctor first. These injections are usually done separately. If you have questions about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For diabetes mellitus:
      • Fiasp®:
        • Adults—The dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Children—The dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Insulin Aspart FlexPen®:
        • Adults—The dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Children—The dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
      • Novolog®:
        • Adults—The dose is based on your blood sugar and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Unopened medicine: Store the vials, pens, and cartridges in the refrigerator. You may store the medicine at room temperature for 28 days. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not use the insulin if it has been frozen. Throw away any unused medicine after 28 days.

Opened pens and cartridges: Store at room temperature, away from direct heat and light. Do not refrigerate. Throw away any opened pen or cartridge after 28 days.

Opened vials: Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature in a cool place, away from sunlight and heat. Use within 28 days. If it is used together with a pump, throw away opened vials after 19 days.

Store unused vials, pens, PenFill cartridges, or PumpCart® cartridges in the refrigerator. You may store the medicine at room temperature for 28 days for vials, pens, or PenFill cartridges, and 18 days for PumpCart® cartridges. Do not freeze. Do not use if the medicine has been frozen. Keep away from excessive heat or light. The expiration date on the insulin package tells you how long you can keep the medicine in the refrigerator. Throw the medicine away after the expiration date has passed.

Store opened vials, pens, or PenFill® cartridges for 28 days and PumpCart® cartridges for 4 days at room temperature, away from direct heat and light. You may also store opened vials and pens for 28 days. Do not refrigerate opened PenFill® cartridges and PumpCart® cartridges. Throw away any opened pen or cartridge after 28 days.

Throw away used syringes and needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.