Novolin ge NPH Vial

What is Novolin ge NPH Vial?

Novolin ge NPH Vial is a vial filled with NPH human insulin isophane suspension for subcutaneous (under the skin) injection with a syringe. It is a man-made intermediate-acting insulin used for the regulation of high levels blood sugar in the treatment of your diabetes. The vials come in 10 mL sizes.

What is it used for?

Novolin ge NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection used for the treatment of diabetes in insulin requiring diabetic patients. NPH insulin is typically used along with a fast-acting insulin to help cover your insulin needs for the blood sugar fluctuations seen during and after eating.

How does it work?

Novolin ge NPH works like naturally occurring human insulin does, only longer. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells in your pancreas that is mainly involved in your food metabolism. It helps your body use and store the sugar it gets from what you eat. For those with diabetes, either your pancreas does not make enough insulin or your body cannot use properly the insulin that is made. As a result, your sugar cannot be properly stored or used causing it to build up in your blood.

Novolin ge NPH insulin is taken by people who have diabetes as a substitute for their lack of insulin. It is an intermediate-acting insulin sometimes called a basal or background insulin because it provides a full day’s worth of insulin action for your daily blood sugar level changes. After injection it usually takes 90 minutes to start working, then reaches its maximum effect between five and eight hours after and stops working after approximately 18 to 24 hours. Novolin ge NPH is structurally identical to human insulin, but it has small proteins that are called protamines mixed in to give it a longer length of insulin action.

Side effects

Common negative effects may include:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Less common negative effects may include:

• Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• Lipoatrophy, lipohypertrophy
• Insulin allergy

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar is the most common side effect of insulin products including NPH insulin. Therefore, your blood sugar levels should always be monitored carefully. Untreated low blood sugar can cause unconsciousness, coma or even death.

Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, can happen if you do not have enough insulin, such as if you skip your dose or take an insufficient dose, get a fever or infection or eat too much. Symptoms typically come on slowly and may include thirst, feeling drowsy, flushed face, and the loss of appetite. If these symptoms are left untreated the loss of consciousness, coma, or even death can result. Get medical assistance immediately If you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

A generalized insulin allergy can cause a rash over your whole body, sweating, shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure, wheezing or quick pulse. These types of generalized allergy reactions can be severe and require the need for hospitalization. If you think you are having a generalized allergy reaction to Novolin ge NPH, make sure to contact your doctor immediately.

Rarely the subcutaneous injections can cause a skin condition called lipoatrophy, the localized loss of fat near your injection site, or lipohypertrophy, the accumulation of extra fat under the surface of the skin. If you experience any of these skin conditions contact your doctor immediately. A change in your injection technique may help to eliminate, or reduce these types of issues.

How to take this medication

The contents of your vial of Novolin ge NPH insulin should be cloudy and white.

Do not use it if:

• It looks grainy or lumpy
• Seems very thick
• Sticks to the vial
• Appears discolored
• Contains any crystals
• The vial looks frosted, also do not use it
• It remains clear after being rolled or rotated

Fatty tissue under your skin at the injection site can thicken (lipohypertrophy) or shrink (lipoatrophy) if you inject yourself too often at the same spot. To help avoid this, change your injection site with each injection. Talk to your doctor if you notice your skin thickening or pitting at your injection site.

Dosage

Your dose and schedule is individualized for you based on your specific metabolic needs, type of diabetes, blood sugar level monitoring, and your history of treatment and use of insulin. Numerous factors can affect your insulin dose, some of which may include, changes in your activity level, diet, meal pattern, or work schedule. Some other factors that may affect your dosing are travel, pregnancy, medication and illness.

If you are taking insulin for the first time your dose of Novolin ge NPH can be the same as it would be on animal-source insulin. During this adjustment period when you are transitioning between insulin you should be carefully monitored.

If you are switching from another insulin to Novolin ge NPH you may need a change in dosage. Your dose adjustment change may be made with your first dose or over a the first few weeks. Any changes in your insulin or dose should be made carefully and under your doctor’s close supervision.

Warnings and Precautions

Do not use this insulin if:

• You are allergic to NPH insulin or any of the other ingredients
• You have diabetic coma or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• You have low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)

Make sure to tell your doctor:

• About all the medications you are taking (prescription and non-prescription, vitamins and supplements)
• About all of your medical conditions
• If you are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding