Insulin Aspart Penfill Inj, 3ml

Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog that lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening.
Signs of low potassium levels, including:
+ Muscle pain or weakness
+ Muscle cramps
+ An irregular heartbeat
Thick skin, pits, or lumps at the injection site
Change in skin color at the injection site
Swelling in the arms or legs
Pain when urinating or blood in the urine
Low blood sugar, which may cause:
+ Dizziness or fainting
+ Blurred vision
+ Mood changes
+ Slurred speech
+ Headache
+ Feeling sleepy or weak
+ Shaking
+ Fast heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Hunger
+ Sweating
+ Seizures

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. If you have low blood sugar, follow your doctor's instructions, which may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical attention:

Weight gain
Irritation at the injection site
Nose or throat irritation
Signs of a common cold

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as this may affect your treatment plan.

Additionally, this medication may interact with other health conditions or medications. To ensure your safety, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of:

All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are taking
Any natural products or vitamins you are using
* Your complete medical history, including any health problems you have

Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, you must consult with your doctor to confirm that it is safe to do so. This will help prevent any potential interactions or adverse effects.

Important Warnings and Cautions

Inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

Administration Precautions

Do not inject this medication into skin that is thickened, has pits or lumps, or is irritated, tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, scarred, or has stretch marks.

Solution Inspection

Before use, check the solution for cloudiness, leakage, or particles. The solution should be clear and colorless. Do not use if the solution has changed color or appears abnormal.

Diet and Exercise

Follow the diet and exercise plan recommended by your doctor. Understand what to do if you miss a meal or do not eat as much as usual.

Low Blood Sugar Risk

This medication can cause low blood sugar, which may lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, or even death. Discuss this risk with your doctor.

Low Blood Potassium Risk

This medication can also cause low blood potassium, which may lead to abnormal heart rhythms, severe breathing problems, or death if left untreated. Consult your doctor if you have concerns.

Alertness and Activities

Avoid driving and other activities that require alertness until you understand how this medication affects you.

Interactions with Other Diabetes Medications

If you are taking diabetes medications like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, using insulin with these drugs may increase the risk of heart failure. Discuss this risk with your doctor if you are taking one of these medications.

Insulin Product Identification

Ensure you have the correct insulin product, as they come in various containers such as vials, cartridges, and pens. Understand how to measure and prepare your dose. If you have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Blood Sugar Control During Stressful Situations

Stressful situations like fever, infection, injury, or surgery may make it more challenging to control blood sugar levels. Changes in physical activity, exercise, or diet can also affect blood sugar control.

Medical Alert Identification

Wear a medical alert ID to inform others of your condition.

Driving Precautions

Do not drive if you have experienced low blood sugar, as this increases the risk of accidents.

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Monitor your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor.

Blood Work and Doctor Consultations

Have your blood work checked as recommended by your doctor and discuss the results with them.

Alcohol Consumption

Consult your doctor before consuming alcohol or products containing alcohol.

Insulin Product Sharing

Do not share your insulin product, including pens, cartridge devices, needles, or syringes, with others, as this can transmit infections.

Needle Disposal

Dispose of needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. Follow local regulations for disposing of the box when it is full. If you have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Special Precautions for Older Adults

If you are 65 or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as you will need to discuss the benefits and risks of this medication for you and your baby.

• Pioglitazone (and other Thiazolidinediones): Increased risk of fluid retention and heart failure.
• Pramlintide: Increased risk of severe hypoglycemia.

• Beta-blockers: May mask symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., tremor, palpitations) and delay recovery from hypoglycemia.
• Corticosteroids: May increase blood glucose, requiring higher insulin doses.
• Diuretics (Thiazide and Loop): May increase blood glucose, requiring higher insulin doses.
• Sympathomimetics (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine): May increase blood glucose.
• Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine, clozapine): May increase blood glucose.
• Protease inhibitors: May alter glucose metabolism.
• Somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide, lanreotide): May decrease or increase insulin requirements.
• Danazol: May increase blood glucose.
• Diazoxide: May increase blood glucose.
• Glucagon: May increase blood glucose.
• Isoniazid: May increase blood glucose.
• Niacin: May increase blood glucose.
• Oral contraceptives: May increase blood glucose.
• Phenothiazines: May increase blood glucose.
• Thyroid hormones: May increase blood glucose.
• Growth hormone: May increase blood glucose.

• Alcohol: May potentiate the glucose-lowering effect of insulin, increasing risk of hypoglycemia.
• Salicylates (e.g., aspirin): May enhance the glucose-lowering effect of insulin.
• Sulfonamide antibiotics: May enhance the glucose-lowering effect of insulin.
• ACE inhibitors: May enhance the glucose-lowering effect of insulin.
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): May enhance the glucose-lowering effect of insulin.

• Symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., sweating, trembling, dizziness, confusion, hunger, irritability, blurred vision, slurred speech, headache, rapid heartbeat)
• Symptoms of hyperglycemia (e.g., increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, fruity breath odor)
• Symptoms of allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing)
• Symptoms of heart failure (e.g., unusual weight gain, swelling in ankles/feet, shortness of breath)

Insulin aspart is generally considered safe and is often the preferred insulin for managing diabetes in pregnancy due to its rapid onset and short duration, which helps control postprandial glucose. Close monitoring of blood glucose is essential.

Insulin aspart is compatible with breastfeeding. Insulin is a normal component of breast milk and is not expected to cause adverse effects in a breastfed infant. Insulin requirements may change during lactation.

Insulin aspart is approved for use in pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Dosing must be individualized based on age, weight, and metabolic needs. Close monitoring for hypoglycemia is crucial, especially in younger children.

Use with caution in elderly patients due to increased risk of hypoglycemia, particularly in those with renal or hepatic impairment. Start with lower doses and titrate slowly. Increased monitoring of blood glucose and renal function is recommended.

• Insulin aspart should be administered 5-10 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal for optimal postprandial glucose control.
• Always verify the insulin type (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting) before administration to avoid medication errors.
• Patients should be educated on proper injection technique, including site rotation to prevent lipodystrophy (lumps or depressions at injection sites).
• Never mix insulin aspart with other insulins in the same syringe unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional (e.g., NPH insulin, but not recommended for Penfill cartridges).
• Stress, illness, or changes in diet or exercise can significantly impact insulin requirements; patients should be advised to monitor blood glucose more frequently during these times.
• Ensure patients understand the symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia and have a plan for managing it.

• Other rapid-acting insulins: Insulin lispro (Humalog, Admelog, Lyumjev), Insulin glulisine (Apidra)
• Other types of insulin: Regular insulin (short-acting), NPH insulin (intermediate-acting), Insulin glargine (long-acting), Insulin detemir (long-acting), Insulin degludec (ultra long-acting)
• Oral antidiabetic agents (for Type 2 Diabetes): Metformin, Sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, etc.

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor promptly. To ensure safe and effective treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.