Novomix 30 Penfill

Novomix 30 Penfill

Novomix 30 Penfill is a biphasic suspension for injection in a cartridge containing 30% soluble insulin Aspart and 70% insulin Aspart protamine in a crystallized form. Novamix 30 penfill is indicated for treating diabetes mellitus in adults or children aged ten years or over. The soluble form of insulin Aspart has a fast onset of action, while the crystallized form has a prolonged duration of action. This medication helps maintain a constant blood sugar level throughout the day. Novomix replaces insulin and mimics the insulin meant to be produced by the pancreas in those with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition affecting the way your body processes glucose. There are two types of diabetes mellitus:

Type 1: This type of diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This usually develops in children, young adults, or teens but can also happen at any age. This is considered a chronic condition and happens through an autoimmune reaction where the cells in the pancreas stop producing insulin. Insulin is essential to allow glucose to enter the cell and produce energy. Without insulin production, sugar will not be able to enter the cell and build up in the blood. This build-up can cause many symptoms and complications brought about by uncontrolled diabetes. Signs of type 1 diabetes include increased thirst and hunger, increased frequency of urination, unintended weight loss, irritability, and bed-wetting in children who did not wet their bed before.

Type 2: Type 2 diabetes is caused by two interrelated issues. Cells in type 2 diabetes do not respond to insulin as they should. This is known as insulin resistance since the pancreas does produce insulin and tries to get cells to respond. When this happens, your pancreas will eventually find it hard to keep up with the demand, leading to the prediabetic stage followed by type 2 diabetes. This causes high blood sugar levels that can cause damage to the body, including heart disease, vision problems, and kidney disorders. Type 2 diabetes develops with time and can go years unnoticed. This type is more common in older adults but can still occur in children or adults.

Managing blood glucose levels is a crucial part of managing your diabetes. With a controlled blood sugar level, you decrease your risk of developing kidney disease, eye disorders, nerve damage or loss of limbs, complicated wound healing, and diabetic foot ulcer complications. In addition, when accompanied by an active lifestyle and a healthy diet, this medication can help you lead a normal life.

How does Novomix 30 Penfill work?

Novomix 30 penfill is a combination of two types of insulins: insulin aspart and insulin aspart protamine. This combination ensures rapid and stable blood glucose control, enabling the reuptake of sugar in fat and muscle cells while lowering the sugar production in the liver. The active ingredient in Novomix 30 is absorbed faster than the naturally produced insulin and starts working as soon as it is injected.

Dosage

Novomix 30 penfill contains 100 units of insulin per millilitre. It comprises 30% soluble insulin aspart, and 70% protamine crystallized insulin aspart. One cartridge contains 300 units.

How to use it?

You should take Novomix precisely as advised by your doctor.

If you use an insulin syringe, Novomix is injected under the skin in the following areas: abdominal wall, thigh, deltoid/ shoulder area, and the gluteal/ buttock region. Change the site of injection frequently. Never inject into a vein or a muscle; this is intended for subcutaneous administration.

Novomix is given 15 minutes before a meal and sometimes prescribed after a meal if needed.

The standard recommended dose is 0.5 to 1.0 units per kilogram of the patient’s body weight per day. Your doctor calculates this dose.

Novamix can be administered by the patient themselves once they have been guided on how to do so by a nurse or doctor. This is designed to be used with a delivery system. Follow the instruction for your delivery system.

Check that you are administering the correct insulin, especially if you are on multiple ones.

Insulin should reach room temperature before you administer it.

Dispose of needles properly, usually in a yellow sharps container.

After administration, you can have a meal or a snack as directed by your doctor/ dietician.

If you have vision issues and find it challenging to administer the prescribed units, seek help from someone who can help you take the medication.

Do not use Novomix 30 Penfill if you notice the medicine has clumps or solid white particles attached to the bottom or the side of the cartridge.

How to store?

NovoMix 30 Penfill is a cold chain medication that must be stored in a refrigerator at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius before opening. While using or when kept as a spare, you can store it below 30 degrees Celsius and not in a refrigerator. Do not freeze or keep close to the cooling element. If stored incorrectly, its efficacy could be lost. Keep the cartridge in the carton box to protect it from light.

While in use or when carried as a spare, it should be kept for a maximum of 4 weeks at 30 degrees Celsius.

Do not use Novomix 30 Penfill after its expiry date.

Overdose

If you take more than prescribed, you may experience hypoglycemia. This causes your blood sugar levels to become dangerously low. This can be brought about if you take more than your doctor tells you to, if you exercise unexpectedly, if you delay having your meals or skip them, eat too little food, or if you are unwell. As a result, you may start experiencing cold sweats, pale skin, fatigue, drowsiness, weakness, tiredness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, excessive hunger, vision changes, nausea, and headaches.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consume sugary foods immediately. Of course, you should always keep sugary foods or fruit juices.

Inform your relatives or close friends if you have diabetes. Make sure they know how to care for you when this happens. You should not be given anything to drink or eat if you fall unconscious as you may choke.

If you experience such symptoms often, speak to your doctor as your dose may need to be altered. Untreated and frequent hypoglycaemic shocks could lead to brain damage and even death.

Side Effects

Hypoglycemia is one of insulin’s most frequent adverse effects, also referred to as low blood sugar levels. You may experience this moderately and at the start of your treatment. However, if it persists, speak to your doctor.

Other common side effects are:

• Pain, redness, bruising, hives, swelling, itching at the site of injection
• Lipodystrophy- a depression or thickening of the skin at the injection site.
• Cutaneous amyloidosis- a lump at the injection site
• Vision problems
• Swollen hands and feet

Serious side effects include:

• Disorientation
• Seizures, convulsions, or fits
• Loss of consciousness

Other side effects include:

• Skin rash
• Shortness of breath and wheezing
• Facial swelling, swollen lips, and tongue
• Fastened pulse or heartbeat
• Sweating

Precautions & Warnings

Do not drop the insulin cartridge.

Carry a spare Penfill in case your in-use one gets lost or broken.

People living in the same house should be cautious about your disposal of needles to eliminate the chances of needlestick injury.

Consume a meal within 10 minutes of administration.

If you drink alcohol, your need for insulin could change. As a result, your dose may need to be adjusted. In addition, your blood sugar levels can change, so close monitoring is recommended in this case.

Your ability to drive or use machinery can be affected if your blood sugar level is not controlled. Know how insulin affects you before you drive or operate machinery. Speak to your doctor if you experience frequent hypos or cannot recognize when you have one.

If you are sick and experiencing nausea and vomiting, your dose may need to be adjusted.

If you exercise, you may need less of this medication. For example, do not inject your thighs before jogging or running, as this can speed up the effect of the dose.

If you change your diet, you should speak to your doctor as your insulin dose may need to be altered.

Do not share this medication, needles, or insulin delivery systems with someone else.

Speak to your doctor if you are traveling. You may need to have a letter written to travel with this medication. In addition, you may be advised about injecting times and consuming meals due to time differences.

If you suffer from heart problems or stroke and are being treated with thiazolidinediones, inform your doctor before they prescribe you insulin. The combination of long-standing type 2 diabetes, heart disease history, cardiac medication, and insulin can cause heart failure.

If you suffer from liver, kidney disease, adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid gland problems, be sure to inform your doctor before they prescribe you insulin, as the dose may need to be adjusted for you.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor of any prescription medication, over-the-counter, or herbal remedies you take.

The following medication can decrease your blood sugar levels, causing hypoglycemia:

• Other diabetic medication
• MAOI-Monoamine oxidase inhibitors used to treat depression
• Alpha Blocking medication-used to treat hypertension and enlarged prostate
• Nonselective beta blocking agents- used for cardiac problems and hypertension
• Angiotensin-converting agent- Used for cardiac issues, hypertension, and high protein or albumin levels in urine
• Salicylates- used for fever and pain like aspirin
• Anabolic steroids- Used for growth
• Sulphonamides- Used for bacterial infection
• Quinine- Used for muscle cramps and to prevent malaria
• Quinidine- Used for cardiac troubles

The following medicines can increase your blood sugar levels, causing hyperglycemia:

• Oral Glucocorticoids- Used for inflammatory conditions
• Oral contraceptive pills-used for birth control
• Thiazides- Used for hypertension and fluid retention
• Sympathomimetics- Used for asthma
• Growth hormone- Used for growth disorders
• Danazol- Used for endometriosis, menorrhagia, breast disease, and hereditary angioedema
• Oxymetholone- Used for some blood disorders
• Diazoxide- Used for hypertension
• Nicotinic acid- Used for hyperlipidemia
• Asparaginase- Used for leukemia and lymph node tumors

The following medication can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate:

• Octreotide/ lanreotide – Used for abnormal growth hormone levels causing enlargement of some parts of the body

Contraindications

Novomix 30 Penfill is contraindicated in patients with an allergy or hypersensitivity to insulin or any of its excipients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if you miss an insulin dose?

It would be best if you took it as soon as you remember. Do not take the missed and next dose to make up for the missed one. Instead, check your blood glucose levels using a blood glucose monitor. If almost time for the next administration, skip the missed dose and continue as scheduled.

2. What tests should be done to see if insulin is working?

Ideally you have a blood glucose monitor at home. Speak to your pharmacist about this. You will learn how to use this from your doctor, and they will help you keep a log of the readings. They may also refer you for an Hba1C blood test every three months to closely monitor your blood glucose levels while on insulin.

3. Are there any diet changes while on insulin?

Speak to your doctor or dietician about diet changes. For example, low carbohydrate diets can cause your blood sugar levels to drop if your insulin dose is not adjusted.

4. Can you exercise while on insulin?

Exercise can affect your blood sugar levels, and you may need less insulin. Speak to your doctor if you suddenly change your physical activity regimen.

5. Can you stop taking insulin?

Do not stop Novomix 30 without your doctor’s advice. Insulin helps control your condition but does not cure it.

6. Can you take less than the prescribed dose?

Your blood sugar levels can increase if you do, causing hyperglycemia. In addition, untreated and prolonged elevated blood sugar levels can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis and other diabetic complications.

7. What foods would be best to carry with you if you have diabetes?

Lollies, biscuits, and fruit juices are all high in sugar and can be carried around for when you feel like you are experiencing a hypo.

8. Can you still inject at the same spot if you develop a lump at the injection site?

The insulin may not work correctly at this site due to a build-up of protein. Change the injection site with each injection to help prevent this.

9. Is it normal to be prescribed multiple medications if you have diabetes?

Your doctor may prescribe more than one diabetic medication to help control your blood sugar levels. Novomix can be given with other insulins and oral diabetic medication.

10. What are the other constituents of Novomix 30?

Apart from insulin, Novomix has the following excipients: glycerol, phenol, metacresol, zinc chloride, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, protamine sulfate, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and water for injections.

11. Can you drive while on insulin?

Insulin can lower your blood sugar levels. Be sure to know how insulin affects you before driving to avoid causing harm to you and others.

12. Can insulin be kept outside of the fridge?

While in use, you can keep Novomix at room temperature for four weeks.

13. Can Novomix be used in pregnancy?

Novomix can be used during pregnancy. However, your doctor may change your dose during this time.

14. Can insulin be taken while breastfeeding?

Insulin can be used while you are nursing. Speak to your doctor about this, as your dose may need to be adjusted.

15. Is Novomix a prescription item?

Insulin requires a prescription and will need to be prescribed by your doctor. Do not share medication with others; take it only as prescribed by your doctor.