Novomix 30 Penfill Cartridge (Insulin Aspart 30/70)

Novomix Penfill Cartridge is a premixed insulin aspart 30/70 suspension used to help manage blood glucose in diabetes. It is supplied as a cartridge for use in compatible reusable insulin pens, combining a rapid-acting and an intermediate-acting component. This page summarizes dosing concepts, handling, storage, safety, and how access works for people paying cash without insurance.

What Novomix Penfill Cartridge Is and How It Works

This product is a biphasic insulin aspart 30/70 cartridge (a mixed insulin) designed to cover meal-related glucose rises and provide background coverage between meals. CanadianInsulin supports prescription access and Ships from Canada to US through partner dispensing pharmacies. The medicine is listed among Pre Mixed Insulin options, which are formulated to simplify dosing compared with separate mealtime and basal injections.

Prescription details may be verified with the prescriber when required.

Clinically, the formulation contains two components: insulin aspart for faster onset around meals, and protaminated insulin aspart for a longer effect. Protamine is a small protein that slows insulin absorption after injection. Because this is a suspension, it needs gentle resuspension to help ensure consistent dosing from one injection to the next.

How premixed insulin can affect daily glucose patterns

Premixed insulin is often used when a single product is intended to cover both mealtime needs and a portion of baseline insulin requirements. The rapid-acting fraction primarily targets post-meal (after eating) glucose increases. The protaminated fraction releases more gradually and can help with between-meal control. This approach can reduce the number of separate injections, but it can be less flexible when meal timing varies. For background reading on how these mixes are designed, see Premixed Insulin Overview.

Why it matters: Understanding the mix helps set expectations for meal timing and monitoring.

Who It’s For

Premixed insulin aspart 30/70 is prescribed for diabetes mellitus when insulin is needed to improve glucose control. It may be used in people with Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, depending on clinical goals and whether a premixed regimen fits eating patterns and monitoring capacity. Some people prefer premixed regimens when fewer daily injections are a priority, while others need the flexibility of separate basal and rapid-acting insulin.

Common contraindications for insulin products include episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and known hypersensitivity to insulin aspart or any component. Novomix Penfill Cartridge should be used only with a current prescription and a clear plan for blood glucose monitoring. A clinician may recommend extra caution in settings such as acute illness, reduced food intake, or major changes in physical activity, because these can change insulin needs.

Dosage and Usage

Insulin dosing is individualized and measured in International Units (IU). For premixed products, schedules are commonly aligned with meals, because the rapid-acting portion is intended for prandial (mealtime) coverage. Some regimens involve one or two daily injections, typically tied to consistent meals, but the exact timing and total daily dose depend on the prescription and glucose results.

Before using Novomix Penfill Cartridge, the suspension is typically resuspended by gentle rolling and inverting until it looks uniformly cloudy, following the product leaflet. The injection is given subcutaneously (under the skin), usually in areas such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotating sites within the same region helps reduce lipohypertrophy (thickened fatty tissue) and can improve dose consistency. For practical background on cartridge handling and pen setup, see Insulin Cartridges Guide.

• Use the prescribed pen device
• Prime per device instructions
• Inject under the skin
• Rotate injection locations
• Record doses and readings

Strengths and Forms

This medicine is supplied as a Penfill-format cartridge intended for compatible reusable insulin pens; it is not a vial for syringe dosing. Because premixed insulin is a suspension, it should appear evenly cloudy after resuspension. If the liquid remains clear, has clumps, or shows persistent separation that does not resolve with gentle mixing, the carton instructions should be followed and the product should not be used.

Many patients compare options within the broader Insulin Category and decide between premixed and separate basal/bolus regimens. Device fit matters, because cartridge systems require the correct pen model and correct cartridge seating. For a plain-language discussion of device differences, including pen use versus syringes, see Insulin Pen Vs Syringe.

Quick tip: Keep the carton until finished for device and handling directions.

Storage and Travel Basics

Unopened insulin cartridges are usually stored refrigerated per label directions and protected from light. Do not freeze insulin, and do not use cartridges that have been frozen. Heat exposure can also reduce effectiveness, so storage away from heaters, direct sunlight, and hot vehicles is important.

Once in active use, many insulin cartridges can be kept at room temperature for a limited period, but the exact time and maximum temperature vary by product and market. Novomix Penfill Cartridge should be stored and carried according to the product leaflet that comes with the carton, including guidance on how long in-use cartridges can remain unrefrigerated. When traveling, an insulated bag can help limit temperature swings; avoid placing cartridges directly against ice packs to reduce freezing risk.

Side Effects and Safety

The most important risk with any insulin is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms can include sweating, shakiness, hunger, headache, irritability, confusion, or dizziness. Severe hypoglycemia can cause loss of consciousness or seizures and requires urgent medical attention. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) may occur if insulin is missed, underdosed, or degraded by improper storage.

Other potential effects include injection-site reactions, lipodystrophy (changes in fat tissue), weight gain, swelling related to fluid retention, or allergic reactions. Rare but serious reactions can include anaphylaxis (a severe allergic response) and hypokalemia (low potassium), particularly in people with additional risk factors. Orders are dispensed by licensed Canadian pharmacies.

• Most common: low blood sugar
• Local: redness or itching
• Skin: lumps at sites
• Serious: severe allergy signs
• Serious: confusion or collapse

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Many medicines and health conditions can change insulin requirements. Corticosteroids, some antipsychotics, thyroid hormones, and certain decongestants can raise glucose and may increase insulin needs. Other drugs, including some oral diabetes medicines, can increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with insulin.

Novomix Penfill Cartridge can also require closer monitoring when alcohol intake changes, during acute illness, or when appetite is reduced. Beta-blockers may mask some warning signs of hypoglycemia, such as tremor and palpitations, making recognition harder. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) used with insulin may increase the risk of fluid retention; clinicians may monitor for swelling or shortness of breath. A prescriber or pharmacist can review a medication list for interaction risks.

Compare With Alternatives

Premixed insulin aspart 30/70 is one option among premixed regimens. Other premixed products include human insulin mixes and different analogue mixes, each with specific labeling for timing and handling. In some care plans, a separate basal insulin plus rapid-acting mealtime insulin offers more flexibility for variable schedules, but it can increase injection and titration complexity.

When comparing Novomix Penfill Cartridge to other cartridge-based options, the main differences are usually the insulin type, how quickly it acts, and how dosing is structured around meals. For example, some people use a faster-acting aspart formulation for meals, such as Fiasp Insulin Cartridges, alongside a separate basal insulin. Others use a human premix, such as Humulin 30 70 Cartridges, when a human-insulin profile is preferred or prescribed. Any change between mixes should be managed by the prescribing clinician, because timing and dose conversion can differ.

Pricing and Access

Pricing for premixed insulin cartridges can vary based on the prescribed quantity, the specific presentation, and whether a pen-compatible cartridge format is required. Search terms like “novomix 30 cartridge price” often reflect a need to compare cash-pay options across markets. For people managing medication expenses, it can help to consider total monthly use, supplies needed for injection, and whether additional insulins are required for correction dosing.

Novomix Penfill Cartridge is a prescription product. CanadianInsulin operates as a prescription referral platform and coordinates dispensing through pharmacy partners after appropriate documentation is received. Access is offered on a cash-pay basis when coverage is unavailable, including for those who are without insurance. For site-level updates that may apply at checkout, see Current Promotions.

Authoritative Sources

For the most accurate, label-aligned details on indications, contraindications, storage limits, and device instructions, consult official product information and regulatory listings. These sources can also help confirm naming differences across countries (for example, “insulin aspart mix 30” and similar terms) and clarify whether a specific presentation is a cartridge, pen, or vial.

Use the following references for primary documentation and general safety information:

• Health Canada Drug Product Database
• Diabetes Canada

To submit a valid prescription and select prompt, express, cold-chain shipping, add the item to cart and complete checkout.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.