Know Novomix 30 Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage and Precautions

Last updated on July 20th, 2023

NovoMix is ​​a range of injectable suspensions marketed in cartridges (Penfill) or pre-filled pens (flexpen). NovoMix consist of the active substance insulin aspart (100 units [U] per milliliter) in three forms:

• Novomix 30 contains 30% soluble insulin aspart (fast-acting) and 70% protamine crystals of insulin aspart (long-acting),
• The Novomix 50 contains 50% soluble insulin aspart and 50% insulin aspart protamine crystals,
• Novomix 70 contains 70% soluble insulin aspart and 30% insulin aspart protamine crystals.

How Does NovoMix 30 Work? What are its Effects?

There are many insulins of all kinds, and they differ in their speed of absorption and duration of action. Insulin aspart mixture contains insulin aspart and insulin aspart protamine crystals. Insulin aspart is fast-acting insulin. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to start working after the injection. It reaches its peak of action between 60 and 180 minutes and stops working after an interval of 3 to 5 hours.

Insulin aspart protamine crystals are absorbed more slowly than insulin aspart, so they lower blood glucose levels for a longer time. When these substances are combined, they start to work 10 to 20 minutes after the injection. They then reach their peak of action within 1 to 4 hours, and their effect can last for 24 hours.

Also Read: How to Lower Blood Glucose Levels?

Your doctor might have suggested this medication for a condition not listed in this Medication Information article. Also, you may not use some forms of novomix 30  for all of the conditions mentioned in this article. Consult your doctor if you haven’t yet discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using this medicine. Don’t stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor first.

It is advisable not to give medicine to anyone, even if they have the same symptoms as yours. Novomix 30  could harm people for whom it was not prescribed. Never share your novomix flexpen with anyone else, as you can spread serious illnesses.

Also Read: Normal Sugar Level India 

What forms does NovoMix 30 come in?

Each milliliter (mL) of uniformly white, the sterile suspension contains 100 units of insulin aspart (regular human insulin analog asp B28; 30% insulin aspart and 70% insulin aspart protamine crystals). Nonmedicinal ingredients: glycerol, phenol, metacresol, zinc, disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and protamine sulfate, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and water for injection.

Also Read: Can Diabetes be Reversed Naturally?

How Should NovoMix 30 be Used?

Your dose of insulin should be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) as directed by your doctor or diabetes educator. Do not inject mixed novomix 30 70 insulin into a vein, and do not use mixed insulin aspart in an insulin infusion pump. The insulin dose is measured in international units (IU). Each milliliter of insulin contains 100 IU. Mixed insulin aspart is injected under the skin no more than 5 to 10 minutes before starting a meal. The administration of insulin doses varies widely.

Insulin aspart mixture is a white suspension available in cartridges. It is used with a special device that looks like a pen. The mixture should be uniformly white and cloudy. Do not use it if the solution has abnormalities such as a frosty appearance.

You can take into account several factors in determining the dose of flexpen insulin a person needs: their weight, their health, and whether they are taking other medications. If the doctor has recommended a dose other than the one listed here, do not change how you take medicine without consulting your doctor.

It is essential to use novomix 30 exactly as your doctor has told you. Choosing when to inject insulin and eat is crucial to controlling blood sugar levels and preventing unwanted responses. If you are unsure of what to do after missing a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store unused insulin cartridges in the refrigerator until you need them. You can use them until the expiry date stated on the label. Avoid freezing. You can keep the started insulin at room temperature, but you will need to throw it away after 28 days. Insulin should not be exposed to very high temperatures or sunlight. Keep insulin out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medicines in the wastewater (e.g., not in the sink or the toilet bowl) or with the household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused or expired medicines.

In which cases is this medication not recommended?

Mixed insulin aspart should not be used in the following circumstances:

• Known or suspected allergy to insulin or any ingredients of the medication;
• Diabetic coma;
• Low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia).

Also Read: Metformin Sugar Tablets: Know All About Generic Medicine For Diabetes Patients

What are the Possible Side Effects of NovoMix 30?

At least 1% of people using novomix 30 reported the following side effects. You can control many of the side effects, and a few may go away on their own over time.

Consult your doctor if you notice these side effects and if they are serious or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to give you advice on what to do if these side effects appear:

Itching, redness, or swelling at the positioning of the injection.

Most of the side effects listed below do not happen very often, but they could cause serious problems if you do not get medical attention.

Consult with your physician as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Signs of Low Blood Glucose;
• Anxiety
• Blurred Vision
• Confusion,
• Concentration Problems,
• Difficulty Speaking
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Headaches,
• Hunger,
• Nausea
• A State of Nervousness,
• Numbness or Tingling Sensation felt on the Lips, Fingers, or Tongue
• Sweating,
• Fatigue,
• Shivers,
• Weakness.

Stop using the drug and seek prompt medical attention if there is a response such as:

• A rash, or blisters all over the body;
• Seizures;
• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (a swelling of the face or swelling of the throat, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, or a rash with itching);
• Loss of consciousness.

Some people might experience side effects other than the ones listed. See your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are using novomix 30.

Also Read: Glimepiride and Metformin Tablet Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interaction

Are There Other Precautions or Warnings?

Allergic reactions: If you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a rash with itching), stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention. Reactions at the injection site (swelling, redness, and itching) usually go away within a few days or weeks.

The appearance of insulin: The mixture should be uniformly white and cloudy. Do not use the cartridge if lumps, particles stick to the bottom, walls, or discolored combination. Also, do not use it if the mixture contains crystals, if the cartridge has a frosty appearance, or if the suspension is still clear after rolling it between your hands.

Changes at the injection site: The fat tissue beneath the skin at the injection site may shrink or thicken if you inject yourself too often in the same place. To prevent this from happening, change the location for each injection. Contact your doctor or diabetes educator if you notice sagging or thickening your skin at the injection site.

Changes in insulin requirements: Many factors can affect blood glucose levels and insulin requirements. Among these are:

• Diet;
• Physical Exercises;
• Disease;
• Stress;
• Surgery;
• Trauma;
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., infections, thyroid disorders, liver or kidney disease);
• Medicines that raise or lower blood glucose levels;
• Jet lag while traveling

It will help inform your doctor of your current health state and any changes that may affect your insulin requirements. Your blood glucose should be monitored regularly as directed by your doctor or diabetes educator.

Diabetic Identification: It is essential to wear a bracelet (or necklace) or carry a card indicating that you have diabetes and are taking insulin.

Family and friends: Educate friends and family about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Keep a glucagon kit handy and teach them how to use it properly if there is a severe decrease in blood glucose and loss of consciousness.

Low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia): Low blood sugar can occur if you take too much insulin, miss a meal, or exercise more than usual. Mild to moderate symptoms of hypoglycemia that may come on suddenly are cold sweats, nervousness or tremors, rapid heartbeat, headache, hunger, confusion, feeling of lightheadedness, weakness, and numbness or tingling (felt on the tongue, lips, or fingers). Mild to moderate hypoglycemia can be corrected by consuming foods or drinks that contain sugar. You should always have a quick source of sugar on hand, in the form of candy, glucose tablets,

Severe hypoglycemia could cause signs of disorientation, loss of consciousness, and seizures. People who cannot take oral sugar or who have passed out may need an injection of glucagon or an intravenous (into a vein) injection of glucose.

Pregnancy: It is crucial to have a good balance of blood glucose throughout pregnancy. Insulin requirements usually decrease during the 1st quarter and grow during the 2 e and 3 e quarters.

Breast-feeding: Breast-feeding mothers may need to change their insulin dose or diet. It is not known whether mixed insulin aspart passes into breast milk. If you take this medication while you are breastfeeding, your baby may feel the effects. Check with your doctor to see if you should continue breastfeeding.

Also Read: Glucophage: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions

What is the Dosage of NovoMix 30?

The dosage of novomix 30 depends on each individual and is determined according to the patient’s needs. Glycemic control and dose adjustment of insulin are recommended to achieve optimal glycemic control.

The patients who have type 2 diabetes, novomix 30 can be administered as monotherapy. NovoMix 30 can also be administered in combination with oral antidiabetics and a GLP-1 receptor agonist. For patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the recommended starting dose of NovoMix 30 is six units with breakfast and six units with dinner (evening meal). NovoMix 30 can also be initiated as one daily injection of 12 units with dinner (evening meal). When NovoMix 30 is used as one injection per day, and the dose reaches 30 units, it is generally recommended to switch to two injections per day, equally dividing the breakfast dose and the dinner dose (evening meal) if recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia appear during the day with two injections per day of novomix 30 insulin.

Also Read: Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions, FAQs and Warnings

FAQs:

References:

1. https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/novomix-30
2. https://www.drugs.com/uk/novomix.html
3. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/novomix

Last Updated on July 20, 2023 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal