novolog

[michelle20]

hey! is novolog a new insuilin? i am still on humalog with my pump.

[Tony]

michelle20

Welcome to the forums!

Novolog has been out for some time now. I think at least a year, but I'm not sure.

I'm using Humalog in my pump also.

[Jon]

Novolog is almost the same as humalog. They wanted to change my son to novolog a while back, but I think the time frame for humalog is more controlled. Novolog can kick in over a wider period of time. I think Novolog is probably cheaper, so the insurance companies would try to push it.

[michelle20]

I'm woundering if I should change to novolog? My insurance makes me pay for everything up front and then they send me a check back after I claim it. So anything cheaper is better for me.

[Mick]

Michelle--Hi, and welcome! I switched to a Novolog insulin pen from the Humalog pen over a year ago. The reason for my switch was that, at the time, the only pen that would measure in half units was the Novopen Junior--yep, a KIDS' pen! But, being a small body weight and very sensitive to small amounts of insulin, I felt I could get better control if I could inject by half-unit measurements (that's the only thing I missed about the syringe!) By the way--I love this kiddy pen--it's all cool colors and swirly patterns... Anyway, I found virtually NO difference between the 2 insulins, in terms of speed of delivery, duration of action, consistancy, etc. If anything, I'm maybe a bit more stable on the Novolog than I was on the Humalog, but it's difficult to really say, plus I take a bit less of the Novolog than I needed of the Humalog. Can't exaxtly explain that either. They say that the Novolog is better in a pump because it tends to crystalize less, therefore clogging the cannula less and allowing your site to last somewhat longer. I believe it's a bit more temperature-stable as well, so that wearing you pump close to your body, and thus having your body-heat warm up your reservoir won't have as much of an effect on its potency. At least, that's what they say!

Michael
Type 1 since 1965

[michelle20]

hey Michael i noticed you have been type 1 for almost 40 years. How have you done? I have been one for 15 years and I'm fine but I still get a little nervous to think about it that long.

[Shalyndria]

NovoLog has been out in the states since Sept. of 2001. Strangely enough, it is called NovoRapid everywhere else in the world, including Denmark. It's the exact same product, so anyone know why the name was changed in the US?

Here are some clinical facts about NovoRapid and Humulog:
NovoRapid has an onset of 10 mins. whereas Humulog kicks in after a half hour to 45 mins. NovoRapid peaks 1-3 hours after injection, Humulog 45 mins to 2 and a half hours. Humulog's duration of action is 3 and a half to 4 and 3/4 hours, NovoRapid's is 3-5 hours. Not too much difference, except that Novorapid starts working faster. When polled, especially pumpers have said that NovoRapid appears to be stronger and quicker, and less of a dosage is required. Humalog appears to be less stable and more likely to lose activity, especially when exposed to heat or excess cold. Novorapid has been tested to resist crystallization better and is more stable in extreme heat or cold.

A posted poll here might be a good idea, comparing the two insulins. People like you, Mick, who have used both are probably the experts. I've only ever used Novo insulins, so I can only give the facts. Just an idea.

[Jon]

Your times for Humalog sound more like Regular insulin. Humalog starts working almost immediately, and Regular takes about 30 minutes. My son was on Regular when he was first diagnosed, and they changed him to humalog so that he could take his shot after his meal instead of before.

[statdeac]

I agree with Jon about Humalog being quick acting. In fact, I have been in trouble before by taking too far in advance of a meal...like when the restaurant service is too slow and I had stopped off at the restroom upon entering the place!

[David]

I asked my doc to prescribe Novalog just to see if it worked better for me. I used it for about 3 months last year. I'm back to Humalog now. Novalog's onset was much slower (about 1 hr) and lasted much longer (about 7 hrs) than Humalog. I cant say youll have the same results cuz its a very YMMV thing. Ive also heard a few that say Novalog worked better for them, but not for me.
David

[Shalyndria]

Funny, isn't it, how different an insulin can work for different people? The clinical data from the labs states that humulog has an onset of 1/2 hour to 3/4 of an hour. I'm just stating the facts as they are printed. As for regular, I assume you mean Humulin R? The onset for which is 0.5 to 1 hour. It peaks anywhere from 2-4 hours. Also, regular is a rapid-acting insulin, not a short acting one (such as Toronto). You may have noticed that my post said that Humulog peaks at 45 mins, which is fast, faster than Novorapid, which is anywhere from an hour to 3. This may explain too why you find it to work faster than Novorapid. But you have to remember, all of these numbers are based on averages. Test a few people, average it out...and there you have your stock numbers. Probably what the Dr would tell you.
Anyway, like I said, I've only ever used NovoRapid, so all I can give you are numbers. It all comes down to a personal choice.

[dcoke]

I've used both. I started with humalog, after about a year had trouble with highs, wasn't lowering me at all it seemed. I switched to novolog (yes, on my own) and found that I got much better reaction to it when I was using Lantus. I phoned Aventis and asked them if there was anything to my thoughts... they explained because Humalog is "human insulin" it reacts differently with Lantus because it's not Human insulin, and they found in trials Novolog worked better with many others.

for ME:
Humalog - onset 30-45mins peaked at 2hrs gone by 3.5
Novolog - onset 15-20mins peaked at 1.5-2hrs gone by 4.5

have to learn to run your own trials on yourself. not every diabetic is the same. btw.. Novolog is MORE expensive then Humalog, but most places cost the same. have to shop around. but i've never seen Novolog for less then humalog

[Rigel]

AAhh I had no idea novolog was novorapid, which is what I know it as... it works great for me. It acts almost immediately and I take a shot of it just before supper. Sorry can't compare to the humalog, never tried any before...