NovoRapid FlexPen Dosage/Direction for Use

NovoRapid is a rapid-acting insulin analogue.
Dosage of NovoRapid is individual and determined in accordance with the needs of the patient. It should normally be used in combination with intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin given at least once a day. Blood glucose monitoring and insulin dose adjustment are recommended to achieve optimal glycemic control.
The individual insulin requirement in adults and children is usually between 0.5 and 1 U/kg/day. In a basal-bolus treatment regimen, 50-70% of this requirement may be provided by NovoRapid and the remainder by intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin.
Adjustment of dosage may be necessary if patients undertake increased physical activity, change their usual diet or during concomitant illness.
NovoRapid has a faster onset and a shorter duration of action than soluble human insulin.
Due to the faster onset of action NovoRapid should generally be given immediately before a meal. When necessary, it can be given soon after a meal. Due to shorter duration, it has a lower risk of causing nocturnal hypoglycemic episodes.
Special Populations: As with all insulin products, in elderly patients and patients with renal or hepatic impairment, glucose monitoring should be intensified and the insulin aspart dosage adjusted on an individual basis.
Pediatric Population: NovoRapid can be used in children in preference to soluble human insulin when a rapid onset of action might be beneficial ie, in the timing of the injections in relation to meals.
Transfer from Other Insulin Products: When transferring from other insulin products, adjustment of the NovoRapid dose and the dose of the basal insulin may be necessary.
Administration: NovoRapid is administered SC in the abdominal wall, thigh, deltoid or gluteal region. Injection sites should be rotated within the same region in order to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy. As with all insulin products, SC injection in the abdominal wall ensures a faster absorption than other injection sites.
The duration of action will vary according to the dose, injection site, blood flow, temperature and level of physical activity.
However, the faster onset of action compared to soluble human insulin is maintained regardless of injection site.
NovoRapid FlexPen is a pre-filled pen designed to be used with NovoFine or NovoTwist disposable needles up to a length of 8 mm.
Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII): NovoRapid may be used for CSII in pump systems suitable for insulin infusion. CSII should be administered in the abdominal wall. Infusion sites should be rotated.
When used with an insulin infusion pump, NovoRapid should not be mixed with any other insulin.
Patients using CSII should be comprehensively instructed in the use of the pump system and use the correct reservoir and tubing for the pump. The infusion set (tubing and cannula) should be changed in accordance with the instructions in the product information supplied with the infusion set.
Patients administering NovoRapid by CSII must have alternative insulin available in case of pump system failure.
Intravenous Use: If necessary, NovoRapid can be administered IV only by health care professionals.
For IV use, infusion systems with NovoRapid 100 U/mL at concentrations from 0.05 U/Ml-1 U/mL insulin aspart in the infusion fluids 0.9% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose or 10% dextrose inclusive 40 mmol/L potassium chloride using polypropylene infusion bags, are stable at room temperature for 24 hrs.
Although stable over time, a certain amount of insulin will be initially adsorbed to the infusion bag.
Monitoring of blood glucose is necessary during insulin infusion.