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Insulin aspart is a fast-acting type of insulin. Insulin is one of many hormones that help the body turn the food we eat into energy. This is done by using the glucose (sugar) in the blood as quick energy. Also, insulin helps us store energy that we can use later. When you have diabetes mellitus, your body cannot make enough or does not use insulin properly. So, you must take additional insulin to regulate your blood sugar and keep your body healthy. This is very important as too much sugar in your blood can be harmful to your health. Since insulin aspart acts faster than regular human insulin, you normally should use insulin aspart with a longer-acting insulin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin aspart is a fast-acting insulin that starts to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and keeps working for 2 to 4 hours.

Insulin aspart is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. This medicine is sometimes used together with a long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin.

Insulin aspart is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.

Insulin aspart is also used to treat type 1 diabetes in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

Insulin aspart may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use insulin aspart if you are allergic to it, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Insulin aspart is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old. Insulin aspart should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age.

To make sure insulin aspart is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease; or

• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and your dose needs may be different during each trimester of pregnancy. Your dose needs may also be different while you are breast-feeding.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Insulin aspart is injected under the skin, or into a vein through an IV. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject insulin aspart. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

After using insulin aspart, you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes.

If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with insulin aspart. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe or infusion pump.

If you use this medicine with an insulin pump, do not mix or dilute insulin aspart with any other insulin. Infusion pump tubing, catheters, and the needle location on your skin should be changed every 3 days. Change the medicine in the reservoir every 6 days.

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle or syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your insulin dose or schedule.

Insulin aspart is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) insulin aspart:

• Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or

• Store at room temperature and use within 28 days.

Storing opened (in use) insulin aspart:

• Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use within 28 days.

• Store the cartridge or injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 28 days. Do not store the injection pen with a needle attached.

Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors or looks cloudy. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wear a diabetes medical alert tag in case of emergency. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have diabetes.