Using Novolin N During Pregnancy
Novolin
® N (NPH
insulin) is an intermediate-acting form of insulin. It is available without a prescription. In general,
Novolin N is considered to be safe for use during pregnancy.
Novolin N and Pregnancy Category B
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B is given to medicines that have not been adequately studied in pregnant humans but do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
Although it was originally thought that insulin molecules are too large to cross the placenta, it is now known that some insulins, in some circumstances, may cross the placenta. In general, most healthcare providers consider Novolin N to be safe for use during pregnancy. It is very important for
pregnant women with diabetes (including
gestational diabetes) to control their blood sugar, and Novolin N can be useful to help get blood sugar under control.
Both high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be dangerous to a fetus during pregnancy. Therefore, very good blood sugar control is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Be sure to seek early
prenatal care; as a pregnant woman with
diabetes, you will likely require more care than the average pregnant woman.
