NovoMix 30 FlexPen (Insulin Aspart)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is NovoMix 30 FlexPen Used For?
NovoMix 30 FlexPen contains insulin aspart in both rapid and longer-acting forms to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Primary Uses
NovoMix 30 FlexPen is used to treat diabetes mellitus in adults and children. It helps control blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 diabetes (who always need insulin) and some people with Type 2 diabetes who may need insulin after initial treatment with diet, exercise and tablets.
How It Works
NovoMix 30 is a pre-mixed suspension containing 30% rapid-acting insulin aspart and 70% longer-acting protamine insulin aspart. It lowers blood sugar levels after injection, taking effect within 10 to 20 minutes, with maximum effect occurring between 1-4 hours after injection and lasting up to 24 hours.
Good to know: NovoMix 30 is not addictive and can be used alone or together with other diabetes medicines.
How to Take NovoMix 30 FlexPen
Your doctor or diabetes education nurse will provide specific instructions on how to use your insulin. Follow their directions carefully as they may differ from general guidelines.
Dosage Instructions
Use NovoMix 30 immediately (up to 10 minutes) before your meal or carbohydrate snack. When necessary, it may be used immediately after the meal. Inject under the skin into the abdomen, thighs, buttocks or upper arms. Change your injection site regularly. The FlexPen can deliver from 1 to 60 units in increments of 1 unit. Never inject into a vein or muscle, and do not use in insulin pumps.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget your insulin dose, test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember and eat some carbohydrate within 10 minutes of injection, then return to your normal schedule. Do not use a double dose.
Important: Any change in dose or type of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Never use a double dose of insulin.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
- Pain, redness, hives, bruising, swelling or itching at injection site
- Depression or thickening of skin around injection site (lipodystrophy)
- Lumps under the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis)
- Visual problems when first starting treatment
- Swollen hands and feet when first starting treatment
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe hypoglycemia with loss of consciousness
- Severe hyperglycemia with heavy breathing, fast pulse, nausea, vomiting, dehydration
- Allergic reactions with redness, swelling, rash, itching, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face, lips, tongue
- Signs of heart failure: unusual shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, localized swelling
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before using NovoMix 30 FlexPen. Discuss all medical conditions and medications with your healthcare provider.
Who Should Not Take NovoMix 30 FlexPen
Do not use if you are allergic to insulin aspart or any ingredients in the medicine, if you are experiencing low blood sugar when the dose is due, if the expiry date has passed, or if the packaging is torn or damaged. If you are blind or have poor eyesight and cannot read the dose counter, do not use without help from someone trained to use the pen.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, adrenal, pituitary or thyroid gland problems, heart disease or stroke history. Some patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes and heart disease who use certain medications with insulin may develop heart failure.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Pregnancy may make managing diabetes more difficult, with insulin needs usually decreasing in the first three months and increasing in the last six months. There are no restrictions on treatment during breastfeeding, but discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Heart Failure Risk: Inform your doctor immediately if you experience signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, or localized swelling.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with NovoMix 30 and affect how it works, which may require changes to your insulin dose.
- Other diabetes medicines
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression
- Alpha blockers for high blood pressure
- Non-selective beta blockers for blood pressure and heart conditions
- ACE inhibitors for blood pressure and heart conditions
- Salicylates like aspirin
- Anabolic steroids
- Sulfonamides for bacterial infections
- Quinine for malaria
- Quinidine for heart problems
- Glucocorticoids for inflammatory conditions
- Oral contraceptives
- Thiazides for blood pressure
- Thyroid hormones
- Sympathomimetics like salbutamol
- Growth hormone
- Danazol for endometriosis
- Oxymetholone for blood disorders
- Diazoxide for blood pressure
- Nicotinic acid for cholesterol
- Asparaginase for leukemia
- Octreotide for gastrointestinal tumors
- Lanreotide for hormone-related conditions
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions when using insulin due to effects on blood sugar levels and concentration.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar and can cause your blood sugar level to either rise or fall, changing your insulin needs. Careful monitoring is recommended if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how insulin affects you. If your blood sugar is low or high, your concentration and ability to react might be affected. Ask your doctor whether you can drive if you have frequent low blood sugar episodes or find it hard to recognize hypoglycemia symptoms.
Storage
Store unused NovoMix 30 FlexPens between 2°C and 8°C in a refrigerator (away from the cooling element). Do not refrigerate the pen you are currently using or carrying as a spare. You can use it up to 4 weeks at or below 30°C after removing from the refrigerator. Discard after 4 weeks even if medicine remains. Never freeze or expose to excessive heat or light. Keep the cap on when not in use to protect from light.
Overdose Information
Using too much insulin can cause dangerously low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia). Symptoms include cold sweat, fatigue, nervousness, confusion, excessive hunger, vision changes, and headache. Immediately eat sugary food or drink fruit juice if you experience these symptoms. For severe cases with loss of consciousness, others should turn you on your side, get medical help immediately, and not give food or drink. Glucagon injection may help recovery. Contact your doctor, go to emergency, or call Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand) if you suspect overdose.
Frequently Asked Questions
NovoMix 30 takes effect within 10 to 20 minutes after injection, with maximum effect occurring between 1-4 hours after injection and lasting up to 24 hours.
Yes, NovoMix 30 should be used immediately (up to 10 minutes) before your meal or carbohydrate snack. When necessary, it may be used immediately after the meal.
No, NovoMix 30 is not addictive. It is a necessary medication for managing diabetes and controlling blood sugar levels.
Do not stop using NovoMix 30 unless your doctor tells you to. Keep using your insulin even if you feel well, as it helps control your diabetes condition but does not cure it.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask symptoms of low blood sugar and can cause your blood sugar to rise or fall, potentially changing your insulin needs. Careful monitoring is recommended.
Test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember, eat carbohydrate within 10 minutes, then return to your normal schedule. Never use a double dose.
Store unused pens in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. The pen you’re using can be kept at room temperature (at or below 30°C) for up to 4 weeks. Never freeze or expose to excessive heat, and protect from light by keeping the cap on.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.