Insulin aspart 100 units/ml Solution for injection in pre–filled pen

What Insulin aspart is used for:

• Insulin aspart is a modern insulin with a rapid–acting effect. It is used to reduce the high blood sugar level in adults, adolescents and children aged 1 year and above with diabetes mellitus. 
• Treatment with Insulin aspart helps to prevent complications from your diabetes. Insulin aspart will start to lower your blood sugar 10–20 minutes after you inject it, a maximum effect occurs between 1 and 3 hours after the injection and the effect lasts for 3–5 hours. Due to this short action Insulin aspart should normally be taken in combination with intermediate-acting or long–acting insulin preparations.

Do not use Insulin aspart if:

• you are allergic to insulin aspart, or any of the other ingredients in this medicine 
• you suspect hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is starting 
• FlexPen® is dropped, damaged or crushed 
• it has not been stored correctly or been frozen
• the insulin does not appear clear and colorless.

Warnings and precautions:

• Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including, if:
• you have trouble with your kidneys or liver, or with your adrenal, pituitary or thyroid glands. 
• you exercise more than usual or if you want to change your usual diet, as this may affect your blood sugar level. 
• you are ill, carry on taking your insulin and consult your doctor. 
• you are going abroad, travelling over time zones may affect your insulin needs and the timing of your injections.
• you notice any skin changes at the injection site. 

Possible side effects:

Insulin aspart can cause serious side effects. These side effects happen only to a small number of people and include:

• Hypoglycemia 
• Skin changes at the injection site
• Signs of allergic reactions
• Vision problems
• Swollen joints
• Diabetic retinopathy (an eye disease related to diabetes which can lead to loss of vision)
• Painful neuropathy (pain due to nerve damage)

Other medicines and Insulin aspart:

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines affect your blood sugar level: 

• Your blood sugar level may fall (hypoglycemia) if you take medicines for: diabetes, depression, blood pressure, certain heart conditions, pain and lower fever, fertility, infections.
• Your blood sugar level may rise (hyperglycemia) if you take medicines for: birth control, fluid retention, thyroid gland disorders, asthma, growth.

How to take Insulin aspart:

• Always use your insulin and adjust your dose exactly as your doctor has told you. 
• Insulin aspart is generally taken immediately before a meal. Eat a meal or snack within 10 minutes of the injection to avoid low blood sugar. When necessary, Insulin aspart can be given soon after a meal. 
• Insulin aspart is for injection under the skin. You must never inject yourself directly into a vein or muscle. 
• With each injection, change the injection site within the particular area of skin that you use. This may reduce the risk of developing lumps or skin pitting. 
• The best places to give yourself an injection are: the front of your waist (abdomen), the upper arm or the front of your thighs.
• The insulin will work more quickly if injected into the front of your waist. You should always measure your blood sugar regularly.

How to store Insulin aspart:

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and carton, after ‘EXP’. Always keep the pen cap on.
• Before opening: Insulin aspart pen that is not being used is to be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C, away from the cooling element. Do not freeze. 
• During use or when carried as a spare: You can carry your Insulin aspart pen with you and keep it at a temperature below 30°C or in a refrigerator (2˚C to 8˚C) for up to 4 weeks. If refrigerated, keep away from the cooling element. Do not freeze. 
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.