Precautions and Warnings With Insulin Aspart

There are numerous precautions and warnings with insulin aspart to be aware of before starting treatment. Since insulin aspart can cause low blood sugar, which can be very dangerous, make sure you know the warnings signs for low blood sugar and how to respond before starting the drug. You should not use insulin aspart if you are allergic to any components of the medicine.

• Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
• Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
• Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
 

• Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• Breastfeeding.
 

• Insulin aspart starts working very quickly. It is usually used to control blood sugar after meals. Once you inject a dose of insulin aspart, you must start eating within 5 or 10 minutes in order to avoid dangerously low blood sugar.
 
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the most common (and usually most serious) side effect of insulin medications, including insulin aspart. Make sure you and those around you know how to identify the warning signs for low blood sugar and how to respond. You must test your blood sugar levels regularly while taking insulin aspart or any other insulin. Low blood sugar levels can be a life-threatening problem.
 
• If you inject insulin aspart using a syringe (not a pump), you may mix it with certain other insulins. Check with your healthcare provider before mixing insulins. When mixing insulin aspart with another insulin, you should always draw up insulin aspart into the syringe first, before the other insulin.
 
• If you use insulin aspart in an insulin pump, do not dilute it or mix it with other insulins.
 
• Liver and kidney problems may affect your insulin aspart dosage. Also, changes in diet or exercise, illness, or stress may affect your blood sugar levels in such a way that your dosage needs to be adjusted.
 
• Make sure your healthcare provider shows you exactly how to inject insulin aspart, how to store the drug, and how to dispose of your used needles.
 
• This diabetes medication can potentially interact with several other medications (see Drug Interactions With Insulin Aspart).
 
• Insulin aspart is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means it is most likely safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known (see NovoLog and Pregnancy).
 
• It is not known whether insulin aspart passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see NovoLog and Breastfeeding).