PATIENT INFORMATION
Patient Information for Novolin® N
NOVOLIN® N (NO-voe-lin)
NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension 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 N
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 N?
Novolin N is a man-made insulin (recombinant DNA origin)
NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension 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 N?
Do not take Novolin N if:
- Your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia)
- You are allergic to anything in Novolin N. See the end of this leaflet for
a complete list of ingredients in Novolin N. 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 N.
- 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 N 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 N 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 N?
Only use Novolin N 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 N comes in:
- 10 mL vials (small bottles) for use with syringe
- 3 mL PenFill® cartridges for use with Novo Nordisk 3 mL PenFill cartridge
compatible insulin delivery devices, 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
N product. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Your
healthcare provider should show you how to inject Novolin N before you start
taking it. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions to make changes to
your insulin dose.
- Take Novolin N exactly as prescribed.
- Novolin N is an intermediate-acting insulin. The effects of Novolin
N start working 1½ hours after injection.
- The greatest blood sugar lowering effect is between 4 and 12 hours after
the injection. This blood sugar lowering may last up to 24 hours.
- While using Novolin N, 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 Nwith any insulins other than Regular human insulin
in the same syringe.
- Inject Novolin N into the skin of your stomach area, upper arms, buttocks
or upper legs.Novolin N may affect your blood sugar levels sooner if you
inject it into the skin of your stomach area. Never inject Novolin N 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 N, 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 N?” for more
information on low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- If you forget to take your dose of Novolin N, 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 N?
- Alcohol. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood
sugar when you take Novolin N.
- 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 N?
- 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 N 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
N. 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 N?
All Unopened Novolin N:
- Keep all unopened Novolin N in the refrigerator between 36° to 46°F
(2° to 8°C).
- Do not freeze. Do not use Novolin N 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 14 days, as long
as it is kept at or below 86°F (30°C).
- Keep unopened Novolin N in the carton to protect from light.
Novolin N 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 N label,
if the medicine has been stored in a refrigerator.
PenFill Cartridges
- Keep at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 14 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 14 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 14 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 14 days, even if there
is insulin left in the prefilled syringe.
General advice about Novolin N
Novolin N 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 N for a condition for which it was not
prescribed. Do not give Novolin N 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 N. If you would like more information about Novolin N 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 N ingredients include:
- Human Insulin Isophane Suspension (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 N vials, PenFill cartridges, and InnoLet disposable prefilled syringes
are latex-free.
Patient Instructions for Use
Novolin® N 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 N vial?
Check to make sure that you have the correct type of insulin. This is especially
important if you use different types 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 the 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 N in the syringe.
Pull the syringe 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 pinched 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 N 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.
How should I mix Novolin N with Regular human insulin?
Different insulins should be mixed only under instruction
from a health care provider. Do not mix Novolin N with any other type of
insulin besides Regular human insulin. Novolin N should be mixed only when
injections with syringes are used. Insulin syringes may vary in the amount of
space between the bottom line and the needle (“dead space”), so if you are
mixing two types of insulin be sure to discuss any change in the model and
brand of syringe you are using with your healthcare provider. Novolin N can be
mixed with Regular human insulin right before use. When you are mixing Novolin
N insulin with Regular human insulin, always draw the Regular human (clear)
insulin into the syringe first.
- Add together the doses (total number of units) of Regular human insulin
and Novolin N that you need to inject. The total dose will determine the final
amount (volume) in the syringe after drawing up both insulins into the syringe.
For example, if you need 5 units of Novolin N and 2 units of Regular human
insulin, the total dose of insulin in the syringe would be 7 units.
- Roll the Novolin N vial between your hands until the liquid is equally cloudy
throughout.
- Draw into the syringe the same amount of air as the Novolin N dose. Inject
this air into the Novolin N vial and then remove the needle from the vial
but do not withdraw any of the Novolin N insulin. (Transferring Novolin N
to the Regular human insulin vial will contaminate the Regular human insulin
vial and may change how quickly it works.)
- Draw into the syringe the same amount of air as the Regular human insulin
dose. Inject this air into the Regular human insulin vial. With the needle
in place, turn the vial upside down and withdraw the correct dose of Regular
human insulin. The tip of the needle must be in the Regular human insulin
to get the full dose and not an air dose.
- After withdrawing the needle from the Regular human insulin vial, insert
the needle into the Novolin N vial. Turn the Novolin N vial upside down with
the syringe and needle still in it. Withdraw the correct dose of Novolin N.
- Inject right away to avoid changes in how quickly the insulin works.
NOVOLIN® N INNOLET® (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe)
NOVOLIN® N INNOLET® (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe)
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Novolin® N InnoLet® (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) is a disposable dial-a-dose insulin delivery system able to deliver 1-50 units in increments of 1 unit. Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) is designed and recommended for use with NovoFine® single-use needles.
Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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® N InnoLet® (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) :
Pull off the device cap.
1A. Turn the Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) .
Wipe rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.
1B. Remove the protective tab from the disposable needle and screw the needle onto the Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) . Never place a disposable needle on your Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) with the needle up and tap the Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) .
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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) has released too much or too little insulin, repeat
the test. If it happens again, contact Novo Nordisk and do not use your Novolin
N InnoLet.
5. Important notes
If you need to perform more than 6 air shots before the first use of Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) or subject it to impact.
Remember to keep the Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) that you are currently using with you; don't leave it in a car or other location where extremes of temperature can occur.
Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) is designed and recommended for use with NovoFine disposable needles.
Never place a disposable needle on the Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) until you are ready to use it. Remove the needle immediately after use.
Discard the used Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) carefully, without the needle attached.
Always carry a spare Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) with you in case your Novolin N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) 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 N InnoLet (nph, human insulin isophane suspension 3 ml disposable prefilled syringe) out of the reach of children.