PATIENT INFORMATION
Patient Information for Novolin® 70/30
NOVOLIN® 70/30 (NO-voe-lin)
70% NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension and 30% Regular, Human Insulin Injection
(recombinant DNA origin) 100 units/mL
Important:
Know your insulin. Do not change the type of insulin
you use unless told to do so by your healthcare provider. The amount of insulin
you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to
change if you take a different type of insulin.
Make sure that you know the type and strength of insulin
that is prescribed for you.
Read the Patient Information that comes with Novolin 70/30
before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new
information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your
healthcare provider about your diabetes or your treatment. Make sure you know
how to manage your diabetes. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any
questions about managing your diabetes.
What is Novolin 70/30?
Novolin 70/30 is a man-made insulin (recombinant DNA origin)
which is a mixture of 70% NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension and 30%
Regular, Human Insulin Injection that is structurally identical to the insulin
produced by the human pancreas that is used control high blood sugar in
patients with diabetes mellitus.
Who should not use Novolin 70/30?
Do not take Novolin 70/30 if:
- Your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia)
- You are allergic to anything in Novolin 70/30. See the end of this leaflet
for a complete list of ingredients in Novolin 70/30. Check with your healthcare
provider if you are not sure.
Tell your healthcare provider:
- about all of your medical conditions. Medical conditions can affect
your insulin needs and your dose of Novolin 70/30.
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You and your healthcare provider
should talk about the best way to manage your diabetes while you are pregnant
or breastfeeding. Novolin 70/30 has not been studied in pregnant or nursing
women.
- about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription
medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Many medicines can affect your
blood sugar levels and your insulin needs. Your Novolin 70/30 dose may need
to change if you take other medicines.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your
medicines with you to show all your healthcare providers when you get a new
medicine.
How should I take Novolin 70/30?
Only use Novolin 70/30 if it appears cloudy or milky. There
may be air bubbles. This is normal. If the precipitate (the white deposit at
the bottom of the vial) has become lumpy or granular in appearance or has
formed a deposit of solid particles on the wall of the vial, do not use it, and
call Novo Nordisk at 1-800-727-6500. This insulin should not be used if the
liquid in the vial remains clear after the vial has been gently rotated.
Novolin 70/30 comes in:
- 10 mL vials (small bottles) for use with syringe
- 3 mL PenFill® cartridges for use with Novo Nordisk insulin delivery
devices that work with the 3 mL PenFill cartridge and NovoFine® disposable
needles. The cartridge delivery device can be used with a NovoPen® 3 PenMate®.
- 3 mL InnoLet® prefilled insulin syringe
Read the instructions for use that come with your Novolin
70/30 product. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Your healthcare provider should show you how to inject Novolin 70/30 before you
start taking it. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions to make changes
to your insulin dose.
- Take Novolin 70/30 exactly as prescribed.
- Novolin 70/30 is an intermediate-acting insulin. The effects of Novolin
70/30 start working ½ hour after injection.
- The greatest blood sugar lowering effect is between 2 and 12 hours after
the injection. This blood sugar lowering may last up to 24 hours.
- While using Novolin 70/30, any change of insulin should be made cautiously
and only under medical supervision. Doses of oral anti-diabetic medicines
may also need to change, if your insulin is changed.
- Do not mix Novolin 70/30 with any insulins.
- Inject Novolin 70/30 into the skin of your stomach area, upper arms,
buttocks or upper legs. Novolin 70/30 may affect your blood sugar levels
sooner if you inject it into the skin of your stomach area. Never inject Novolin
70/30 into a vein or into a muscle.
- Change (rotate) your injection site within the chosen area (for example,
stomach or upper arm) with each dose. Do not inject into the same spot for
each injection.
- If you take too much Novolin 70/30, your blood sugar may fall low (hypoglycemia).
You can treat mild low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) by drinking or eating something
sugary right away (fruit juice, sugar candies, or glucose tablets). It is
important to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) right away because it could
get worse and you could pass out (become unconscious). If you pass out, you
will need help from another person or emergency medical services right away,
and will need treatment with a glucagon injection or treatment at a hospital.
See “What are the possible side effects of Novolin 70/30?” for
more information on low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- If you forget to take your dose of Novolin 70/30, your blood sugar may
go too high (hyperglycemia). If high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is not
treated it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can lead to serious problems,
like loss of consciousness (passing out), coma or even death. Follow your
healthcare provider's instructions for treating high blood sugar (hyperglycemia),
and talk to your healthcare provider if high blood sugar is a problem for
you. Severe or continuing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) requires prompt
evaluation and treatment by your healthcare provider. Know your symptoms of
high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetic ketoacidosis which may include:
- increased thirst
- frequent urination and
- dehydration
- confusion or drowsiness
- loss of appetite
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- fruity smell on breath
- high amounts of sugar and
- ketones in your urine
- nausea, vomiting (throwing up) or stomach pain
- a hard time breathing
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- Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your healthcare provider how often
you should check your blood sugar levels for hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar)
and hyperglycemia (too high blood sugar).
Your insulin dosage may need to change because of:
- illness
- stress
- other medicines you take
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- change in diet
- change in physical activity or exercise
- surgery
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See the end of this patient information for instructions
about preparing and giving the injection.
What should I avoid while using Novolin 70/30?
- Alcohol. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood
sugar when you take Novolin 70/30.
- Driving and operating machinery. You may have difficulty concentrating
or reacting if you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Be careful when you
drive a car or operate machinery. Ask your healthcare provider if it is alright
to drive if you often have:
- low blood sugar
- decreased or no warning signs of low blood sugar
What are the possible side effects of Novolin 70/30?
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar) may include:
- sweating
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- shakiness
- hunger
- fast heart beat
- tingling of lips and tongue
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- trouble concentration or confusion
- blurred vision
- slurred speech
- anxiety, irritability or mood changes
- headache
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Severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause
unconsciousness (passing out), seizures, and death. Know your symptoms of low
blood sugar. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for treating low
blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider if low blood sugar is a problem
for you.
- Serious allergic reaction (whole body reaction). Get medical help right
away if you develop a rash over your whole body, have trouble breathing,
a fast heartbeat, or sweating.
- Reactions at the injection site (local allergic reaction). You may
get redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site. If you keep having
skin reactions or they are serious talk to your healthcare provider. You may
need to stop using Novolin 70/30 and use a different insulin. Do not inject
insulin into skin that is red, swollen, or itchy.
- Skin thickens or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy). Change
(rotate) where you inject your insulin to help prevent these skin changes
from happening. Do not inject insulin into this type of skin.
- Swelling of your hands and feet
- Vision changes
- Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia)
These are not all of the possible side effects from Novolin
70/30. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You
may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store Novolin 70/30?
All Unopened Novolin 70/30:
- Keep all unopened Novolin 70/30 in the refrigerator between 36° to
46°F (2° to 8°C).
- Do not freeze. Do not use Novolin 70/30 if it has been frozen.
- If refrigeration is not possible, the unopened vial may be kept at room
temperature for up to 6 weeks (42 days), as long as it is kept at or below
77°F (25°C).
- If refrigeration is not possible, the unopened PenFill cartridge or InnoLet
prefilled syringe may be kept at room temperature for up to 10 days, as long
as it is kept at or below 86°F (30°C).
- Keep unopened Novolin 70/30 in the carton to protect from light.
Novolin 70/30 in use:
Vials
- Keep at room temperature below 77°F (25°C) for up to 6 weeks (42
days).
- Keep vials away from direct heat or light.
- Throw away an opened vial after 6 weeks (42 days) of use, even if there
is insulin left in the vial.
- Unopened vials can be used until the expiration date on the Novolin 70/30
label, if the medicine has been stored in a refrigerator.
PenFill Cartridges
- Keep at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 10 days.
- Do not store a PenFill cartridge that you are using in the refrigerator.
- Keep PenFill cartridges away from direct heat or light.
- Throw away a used PenFill cartridge after 10 days, even if there is insulin
left in the cartridge.
InnoLet prefilled syringe
- Keep at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 10 days.
- Do not store an InnoLet prefilled syringe that you are using in the refrigerator.
- Keep InnoLet prefilled syringes away from direct heat or light.
- Throw away a used InnoLet prefilled syringe after 10 days, even if there
is insulin left in the prefilled syringe.
General advice about Novolin 70/30
Novolin 70/30 is used for the treatment of diabetes only.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in the
patient leaflet. Do not use Novolin 70/30 for a condition for which it was not
prescribed. Do not give Novolin 70/30 to other people, even if they have the
same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
This leaflet summarizes the most important information about
Novolin 70/30. If you would like more information about Novolin 70/30 or
diabetes, talk with your healthcare provider. For more information, call
1-800-727-6500 or visit www.novonordisk-us.com.
Helpful information for people with diabetes is published by
the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 and on www.diabetes.org.
Novolin 70/30 ingredients include:
- 70% NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension and 30% Regular, Human
Insulin Injection (recombinant DNA origin)
- Zinc chloride
- Sodium hydroxide
- Phenol
- Disodium phosphate dihydrate
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- Metacresol
- Glycerol
- Hydrochloric acid
- Protamine sulfate
- Water for injections
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All Novolin 70/30 vials, PenFill cartridges, and InnoLet disposable prefilled
syringes are latex-free.
Patient Instructions for Use
Novolin® 70/30 10 mL vial (100 Units/mL, U-100)
Before starting, gather all of the supplies that you will
need to use for preparing and giving your insulin injection.
Never re-use syringes and needles.
How should I use the Novolin 70/30 vial?
- Check to make sure that you have the correct type of insulin.
- Look at the vial and the insulin. The insulin should be a cloudy or milky
suspension. The tamper-resistant cap should be in place before the first use.
If the cap had been removed before your first use of the vial, or if the precipitate
(the white deposit at the bottom of the vial) has become lumpy or granular
in appearance or has formed a deposit of solid particles on the wall of the
vial, do not use it, and call Novo Nordisk at 1-800Â727-6500.
- Wash your hands with soap and water. If you clean your injection site with
an alcohol swab, let the injection site dry before you inject. Talk with your
health care provider about how to rotate injection sites and how to give an
injection.
- If you are using a new vial, pull off the tamper-resistant cap. Wipe the
rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.
- Roll the vial gently 10 times in your hands to mix it. This procedure should
be carried out with the vial in a horizontal position. The rolling procedure
must be repeated until the suspension appears uniformly white and cloudy.
Shaking right before the dose is drawn into the syringe may cause bubbles
or froth, which could cause you to draw up the wrong dose of insulin.
- Pull back the plunger on the syringe until the black tip reaches the marking
for the number of units you will inject.
- Push the needle through the rubber stopper of the vial, and push the plunger
all the way in to force air into the vial.
- Turn the vial and syringe upside down and slowly pull the plunger back to
a few units beyond correct dose.
- If there are any air bubbles, tap the syringe gently with your finger to
raise the air bubbles to the top. Then slowly push the plunger to the marking
for your correct dose. This process should move any air bubbles present in
the syringe back into the vial.
- Check to make sure you have the right dose of Novolin 70/30 in the syringe.
- Pull the syringe needle out of the vial's rubber stopper.
- Your doctor should tell you if you need to pinch the skin before inserting
the needle. This can vary from patient to patient so it is important to ask
your doctor if you did not receive instructions on pinching the skin. Insert
the needle into the skin. Press the plunger of the syringe to inject the insulin.
When you are finished injecting the insulin, pull the needle out of your skin.
You may see a drop of Novolin 70/30 at the needle tip. This is normal and
has no effect on the dose you just received. If you see blood after you take
the needle out of your skin, press the injection site lightly with a piece
of gauze or an alcohol wipe. Do not rub the area.
- After your injection, do not recap the needle. Place used syringes, needles
and used insulin vials in a disposable puncture-resistant sharps container,
or some type of hard plastic or metal container with a screw on cap such as
a detergent bottle or coffee can.
- Ask your healthcare provider about the right way to throw away used syringes
and needles. There may be state or local laws about the right way to throw
away used syringes and needles. Do not throw away used needles and syringes
in household trash or recycle.
Novolin® 70/30 InnoLet®
Novolin® 70/30 InnoLet® directions for use
Novolin® 70/30 InnoLet® is a disposable dial-a-dose insulin delivery system able to deliver 1-50 units in increments of 1 unit. Novolin 70/30 InnoLet is designed and recommended for use with NovoFine® single-use needles. Novolin 70/30 InnoLet is not recommended for the blind or severely visually impaired patients without the assistance of a sighted individual trained in the proper use of this product.
Please read these instructions completely before using this device.
1. Preparing the Novolin® 70/30 InnoLet®:
Pull off the device cap.
1A. Turn the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet up and down between positions A and
B so the glass ball is moved from one end of the insulin reservoir to the other.
Do this at least 10 times, until the liquid appears uniformly white and cloudy.
To ensure even mixing of the remaining insulin there must be at least 12 units of insulin left in the reservoir. If there are less than 12 units left, do not use the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet.
Wipe rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.
1B. Remove the protective tab from the disposable needle and screw the
needle onto the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet. Never place a disposable needle on your
Novolin 70/30 InnoLet until you are ready to give an injection. Remove the needle
immediately after use. If the needle is not removed, some liquid may be expelled
from the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet causing a change in insulin concentration (strength).
1C. Giving the air shot prior to each injection:
Small amounts of air may collect in the needle and insulin reservoir during
normal use. To avoid the injection of air and ensure proper dosing, dial 2 units
by turning the dose selector clockwise. Hold the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet with
the needle up and tap the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet gently with your finger so any
air bubbles collect in the top of the reservoir. Remove both the plastic outer
and inner needle caps.
With the needle pointing up, press the push button as far as it will go and
the dose selector returns to zero. See if a drop of insulin appears at the needle
tip (see fig. 1C). If not, repeat the procedure until insulin appears.
Before the first use of Novolin 70/30 InnoLet you may need to perform up to
6 air shots to get a drop of insulin at the needle tip. If you need to make
more than 6 air shots, do not use, and return the product to Novo Nordisk. A
small air bubble may remain but it will not be injected because the operating
mechanism prevents the reservoir from being completely emptied.
2. Setting the dose
Always check that the push button is fully depressed and the dose selector
is set to zero. Hold the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet in front of you and dial the
dose selector clockwise to set the required dose. Do not put your hand over
the push button when dialing the dose. If the button is not allowed to rise
freely, insulin will be pushed out of the needle. When setting your dose, you
will hear a click for every single unit dialed. Do not rely on this clicking
sound as a means of determining your dose. If you have set a wrong dose, simply
dial the dose selector forward or backwards until the right number of units
has been set. 50 units is the maximum dose.
3. Giving the injection
Use the injection technique recommended by your doctor. Check that you have set the proper dose and depress the push button as far as it will go. Make sure not to block the dose selector while injecting as the dose selector must be allowed to return to zero when you press the push button. When depressing the push button you may hear a clicking sound. Do not rely on this clicking sound as a means of confirming delivery of your dose.
After making the injection, unscrew the needle and discard appropriately. Replace
the device cap.
Health care professionals, relatives, and other care-givers should follow general
precautionary measures for removal and disposal of needles to eliminate the
risk of unintended needle penetration.
Subsequent injections
Always check that the push button is fully depressed before using the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet again. If not, turn the dose selector until the push button is completely down. Then proceed as stated under steps 1-3. The numbers on the insulin reservoir can be used to estimate the amount of insulin left in the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet. These numbers are not used for measuring the insulin dose.
You cannot set a dose greater than the number of units remaining in the reservoir.
4. Function check
If you think that your Novolin 70/30 InnoLet is not working properly, follow this procedure:
- Screw on a new NovoFine needle.
- Perform air shot as described in section 1C.
- Put the outer needle cap onto the needle.
- Dispense 20 units into the needle cap.
The insulin will fill the lower part of the cap (as shown in fig. 4).
If the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet has released too much or too little insulin, repeat
the test. If it happens again, contact Novo Nordisk and do not use your Novolin
70/30 InnoLet.
5. Important notes
- If you need to perform more than 6 air shots before the first use of Novolin
70/30 InnoLet to get a drop of insulin at the needle tip, do not use.
- Remember to perform an air shot before each injection (see fig. 1C).
- Care should be taken not to drop the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet or subject it
to impact.
- Remember to keep the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet that you are currently using
with you; don't leave it in a car or other location where extremes of temperature
can occur.
- Novolin 70/30 InnoLet is designed and recommended for use with NovoFine
disposable needles.
- Never place a disposable needle on the Novolin 70/30 InnoLet until you
are ready to use it. Remove the needle immediately after use.
- Discard the used Novolin 70/30 InnoLet carefully, without the needle attached.
- Always carry a spare Novolin 70/30 InnoLet with you in case your Novolin
70/30 InnoLet is damaged or lost.
- Novo Nordisk cannot be held responsible for adverse reactions occurring
as a consequence of using the insulin delivery system with products that are
not recommended by Novo Nordisk.
- Keep Novolin 70/30 InnoLet out of the reach of children