How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone made by the pancreas that helps our body use or store the glucose (sugar) it gets from food. For people with diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin to meet the body’s requirements, or the body cannot properly use the insulin that is made. As a result, glucose cannot be used or stored properly and accumulates in the bloodstream. Insulin injected under the skin helps to lower blood glucose levels.

There are many different types of insulin and they are absorbed at different rates and work for varying periods of time. Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin. It takes 10 to 20 minutes to begin working after the injection, has its maximum effect between 1 hour and 3 hours, and stops working after 3 to 5 hours.

Insulin aspart should be used along with an intermediate or long-acting insulin.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

What form(s) does this medication come in?
NovoRapid® 3 mL Penfill Cartridge
Each mL of sterile, aqueous, clear, colourless solution contains insulin aspart 100 units. Nonmedicinal ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, glycerol, hydrochloric acid, metacresol, phenol, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, zinc chloride solution, and water for injection.

NovoRapid® 10 mL vial
Each mL of sterile, aqueous, clear, colourless solution contains insulin aspart 100 units. Nonmedicinal ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, glycerol, hydrochloric acid, metacresol, phenol, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, zinc chloride solution, and water for injection.

NovoRapid® 3mL FlexTouch® Pre-filled Insulin Delivery Device
Each mL of sterile, aqueous, clear, colourless solution contains insulin aspart 100 units. Nonmedicinal ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, glycerol, hydrochloric acid, metacresol, phenol, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, zinc chloride solution, and water for injection.
Each FlexTouch® insulin pen contains 300 units of insulin aspart.

What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

redness, itching, or swelling at the site of the injection
swelling around ankles and other joints
vision changes
Although most of these side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

signs of low blood glucose:
anxiety
blurred vision
confusion
difficulty concentrating
difficulty speaking
dizziness
drowsiness
fast heartbeat
headache
hunger
nausea
nervousness
numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, or tongue
sweating
tiredness
trembling
weakness