Home Drug Guide Insulin Aspart-szjj

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Insulin Aspart-szjj

Brand Names Merilog, Merilog Solostar

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic, Hormone

Pharmacological: Insulin analog

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus in adults and children; management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults

Mechanism of Action

Insulin Aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog that mimics the body's endogenous insulin response to meals by decreasing blood glucose levels through facilitation of cellular glucose uptake, inhibition of hepatic glucose production, and modulation of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosing individualized based on patient needs; typically injected subcutaneously 5-10 minutes before meals.

Pediatric: Dosing individualized based on patient needs; administer subcutaneously before meals, typically 5-10 minutes prior.

Geriatric: Adjust dose based on renal function, age, and individual response.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; adjust dose based on renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor closely; adjust dosing as needed.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid after subcutaneous injection, with peak activity approximately 40-50 minutes.

Distribution: Distributed rapidly into body tissues.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver and kidneys into inactive metabolites.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine as metabolites.

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to insulin aspart or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Monitor for hypoglycemia; caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment; renal or hepatic function can affect insulin requirements.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hypoglycemia (Frequent)
  • Injection site reactions (pain, erythema, swelling) (Less common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe hypoglycemia (Less common)
  • Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antidiabetic agents (risk of hypoglycemia), corticosteroids (may increase blood glucose), beta-blockers (mask hypoglycemia signs)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Alcohol (can enhance hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia)

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose levels regularly; assess for signs of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for unstable blood glucose levels
  • Risk for hypoglycemia

Implementation: Administer subcutaneously; ensure patient understands timing relative to meals; monitor for adverse reactions.

Evaluation: Assess effectiveness by blood glucose monitoring; evaluate for adverse reactions; adjust dose as needed.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Inject insulin as prescribed; do not skip meals after injection.
  • Recognize and treat hypoglycemia (sweating, dizziness, confusion).
  • Maintain regular blood glucose monitoring.
  • Store insulin properly (see storage and handling).

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening.
  • Do not mix with other insulins except as recommended.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations.

Lab Test Interference: Insulin levels may affect some lab tests, but generally do not interfere with routine labs.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypoglycemia: sweating, trembling, confusion, seizure, coma.

Treatment: Administer glucose orally or via IV; glucagon may be used if the patient is unable to take oral glucose; monitor blood glucose closely.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Unopened vials or pens should be refrigerated; opened containers may be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days.

Stability: Stable until expiration date when stored properly.

🛡️ 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.