Home Drug Guide Insulin Aspart Protamine Recombinant & Insulin Aspart Recombinant

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Insulin Aspart Protamine Recombinant & Insulin Aspart Recombinant

Brand Names Novolog Mix 70/30, Novolog Mix 70/30 Penfill, Novolog Mix 70/30 Flexpen, Novolog Mix 50/50

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic agent

Pharmacological: Insulin, insulin analog

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2

Mechanism of Action

Insulin Aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog that facilitates cellular glucose uptake, inhibits hepatic glucose production, and promotes storage of glucose as glycogen. The protamine component prolongs the action of insulin Aspart, creating an intermediate-duration insulin.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosing individualized based on patient needs; typical starting dose varies

Pediatric: Dosing individualized; initiated based on blood glucose monitoring

Geriatric: Careful dosing adjustments recommended, considering renal and hepatic function

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; may require dose adjustments

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor closely and adjust doses accordingly

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid after subcutaneous injection

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout body water compartments

Metabolism: Metabolized primarily in the liver and kidneys

Excretion: Metabolites excreted via renal pathways

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour for insulin Aspart; duration influenced by formulation and site of injection

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to insulin Aspart or any excipients

Precautions

  • Risk of hypoglycemia, especially in those with renal or hepatic impairment, during concurrent illness, or when changing insulin types

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hypoglycemia (Common)
  • Injection site reactions (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe hypoglycemia (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Use with other hypoglycemic agents (e.g., sulfonylureas) may increase hypoglycemia risk

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose and adjust doses accordingly; assess for signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for unstable blood glucose levels
  • Risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia

Implementation: Administer subcutaneously as prescribed; rotate injection sites; instruct on proper storage and handling

Evaluation: Effectiveness assessed by blood glucose control and patient reporting

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct on proper injection technique, site rotation, and storage
  • Recognize signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and how to respond
  • Importance of regular blood glucose monitoring

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for severe hypoglycemia

Genetic Factors: None specific

Lab Test Interference: May alter some laboratory glucose tests

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypoglycemia: sweating, trembling, confusion, seizures, unconsciousness

Treatment: Administer oral glucose if alert; in severe cases, provide IV glucose or glucagon, and seek emergency care

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store unopened vials/cartridges in the refrigerator; opened vials may be kept at room temperature for up to 28 days

Stability: Stable at room temperature up to 28 days once opened

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.