NovoRapid Flexpen

✔️ Uses of NovoRapid Flexpen

Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.

✔️ Side Effects of NovoRapid Flexpen

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), Auto-antibody formation, Headache, Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages), Upper respiratory tract infection

✔️ How does NovoRapid Flexpen work?

NovoRapid Flexpen helps your body make use of the circulating blood glucose. It helps in the transport of glucose from the blood into the muscles and fat tissues. It also stops the production of glucose in the liver. As a result, it controls blood sugar levels and improves sugar control in patients with diabetes mellitus.

✔️ Guidelines for Administering NovoRapid Flexpen:

• Administer subcutaneously in thighs, buttocks, upper arm, or abdomen.
• Do not inject into veins or muscles directly.
• Administer at least 10 minutes before meals.
• Consume a meal or snack with carbohydrates within 20 minutes to prevent low blood sugar.
• Roll the vial or cartridge between hands until the liquid is uniformly white and cloudy.
• Keep the needle under the skin for at least 6 seconds to ensure complete dosage.
• Visualize the vial or cartridge for particulate matter and discoloration before administration.
• Discard needles and syringes after use.
• Avoid sharing needles to prevent infection transmission.
• Rotate injection sites to prevent skin damage.
• Consult your doctor before changing the injection site.
• Consult your doctor before mixing with other insulins.
• Do not stop therapy without consulting your doctor.
• Dosage and frequency depend on age, body weight, and health condition.

✔️ Quick Suggestions:

• Take it 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) is a common side effect. Monitor your blood sugar level regularly.
• Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you in case you experience hypoglycemia symptoms such as cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremors, weakness, and anxiety.
• Injection sites must be rotated to prevent hard lumps from developing at one site.
• Injection below the skin of the abdomen results in faster absorption than other injection sites.
• Do not use it if the preparation is no longer clear and colorless or if it contains particles.
• Opened vials/cartridges stay good at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, while unopened vials must be placed in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C).

✔️ Indication of NovoRapid Flexpen

Novorapid Flexpen Inj 3ml contains insulin which belongs to class of Insulins and analogues (synthetic human hormones).

✔️ Pharmacology

Insulin Aspart regulates glucose metabolism, increasing glucose uptake by cells and reducing the liver's glucose production, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.

✔️ Dosage & Administration of NovoRapid Flexpen

Subcutaneous Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus:

• Improvement of Glycemic Control:
  • May administer 0.2-0.6 units/kg/day in divided doses.
  • Conservative doses of 0.2-0.4 units/kg/day are often recommended to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Total maintenance daily insulin requirement may vary, usually between 0.5 and 1 unit/kg/day.
  • Nonobese individuals may require 0.4-0.6 units/kg/day.
  • Obese individuals may require 0.6-1.2 units/kg/day.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus:

• Diabetes inadequately controlled by diet, weight reduction, exercise, or oral medication.
• Initial Dose:
  • 0.2-0.4 units/kg/day SC divided q8hr-q12hr.
  • An intermediate (e.g., NPH) or long-acting insulin at bedtime is recommended.
• Hepatic impairment: Dosage reduction may be needed.

Dosing Considerations:

• When used in a meal-related SC injection treatment regimen, 50-75% of total insulin requirements may be provided by an intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin.
• The remainder is divided and provided before or at mealtimes as rapid-acting insulin, such as insulin aspart.
• Dosage must be individualized, and blood and urine glucose monitoring are essential.

Child Dose:

Subcutaneous Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus:

• Improvement of glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

2 years: May require 0.8-1.2 units/kg/day SC during growth spurts.

• Adolescents may require <1.2 units/kg/day.
• Otherwise, may use 0.5-1 unit/kg/day.

Renal Dose:

• Renal impairment: Dose adjustments may be needed.

✔️ Interaction

• Dosage adjustment may be needed for drugs affecting glucose metabolism.
• Some drugs may lessen the need for Insulin Aspart, including ACE inhibitors, fibrates, and salicylates.
• Thiazides, glucocorticoids, beta-agonists, growth hormones, danazol, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, and alcohol can influence insulin's effects.

✔️ Contraindications

• If you are allergic to insulin or any of the ingredients of this medicine
• If you are suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level).

✔️ Pregnancy & Lactation

It's a category B pregnancy. Protamine Crystallized Insulin Aspart can be used during lactation without any restrictions. A breastfeeding mother's insulin therapy should not affect the baby's health. In some cases, the dosage may have to be changed.

✔️ Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy:

• Insulin requirements tend to fall during the 1st trimester, and increase during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

Lactation:

• Safe to use while breastfeeding.

Caution with Decreased Insulin Requirements:

• Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, malabsorption, hypothyroidism, renal impairment, hepatic impairment.
• Hypokalemia may occur.
• Use with caution in renal and hepatic impairment; dosage requirements may be reduced.

Caution with Increased Insulin Requirements:

• Fever, hyperthyroidism, trauma, infection, surgery.

✔️ Storage Conditions

• Store between 2°C to 8°C in the refrigerator
• Do not freeze it
• Keep it out of the reach of children
• Do not open the carton of vials to protect it from light

✔️ Disposal

Any unused portion should not be stored and should be appropriately discarded.