What is Novolin GE 30/70 Vial?

It is a pre-mixed insulin that contains 30% Regular Insulin (a short-acting Insulin) and 70% Insulin Isophane or NPH (intermediate-acting insulin).

Novolin GE 30/70 Vial appears to be a cloudy or milky suspension. It is an Over The Counter (OTC) medicine that has 100 units/mL solution for injection that is also available in a 3 mL Penfill Cartridge.

What is it used for?

Novolin GE 30/70 helps reduce blood glucose levels in adults or pediatric patients who have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Novolin helps prevent blindness, nerve problems, kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke.

How does it work?

Novolin regulates glucose metabolism by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake and enhances amino acid synthesis. It can also inhibit lipolysis, proteolysis, and hepatic glucose synthesis.

How to take it?

Inspect if the Novolin vial contains a cloudy or white solution. Gently roll the vial between the palms before injection. Discard the vial immediately if the medicine appears grainy, has crystals, or is lumpy. The patient can take this medication 30 minutes before meals. Inject air into the vial then gently press the plunger. Turn the vial and syringe upside down then draw the right dose of Novolin into the syringe. Pull the needle out of the vial and make sure there is no air left inside the syringe. The patient may inject Novolin subcutaneously in the abdomen, upper arms, buttocks, or upper legs and change the administration site every after the dose to lessen the risk of developing skin problems in the injection site. Keep the needle under the skin and count for up to 6 seconds before removing it. Do not inject intravenously or intramuscularly. Do not rub the site of injection after administration.

Dosage

It will base on the patient’s metabolic needs, blood sugar monitoring, and glycemic control goal. Dose adjustments may be done with patients taking Novolin with other drugs or a Change in Insulin regimen.

Side Effects

Sweating, dizziness or light-headedness, hunger, fast heart rate, headache, slurred speech, blurred vision, and anxiety are the common symptoms of taking this medication.

Warnings, Precautions, and Contraindications

Never share Novolin GE 30/70 Cartridges with other patients even if the needle is changed. Thiazolidinediones or other Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists in combination with Novolin can cause fluid retention and may progress to heart failure. Dose adjustments must be done for a patient taking this medication with ACE inhibitors, Antidiabetic agents, Angiotensin II receptor blockers, sulphonamide antibiotics, atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, sympathomimetic agents, alcohol, beta-blockers, pentamidine, and reserpine. Patients with Renal impairment and Hepatic impairment have an increased risk of having hypoglycemia and thus require frequent blood sugar monitoring.

Adverse Effect

Novolin may cause acute peripheral neuropathy, worsen diabetic retinopathy, Anaphylaxis due to hypersensitivity, Hypoglycemia, Hypokalemia, depression of the skin, enlargement or thickening of tissue, weight gain, sodium retention, edema because of poor metabolic control, Localized cutaneous amyloidosis.

Storage

Do not freeze or expose to direct heat as it will destroy the product. Keep Novolin 30/70 vials inside the carton so they will stay clean. The sealed vial is stored in a refrigerator with a temperature ranging from 2-8°C until the expiration date. The vial that is currently in use should not be stored in the refrigerator and be kept a room temperature for 28 days. Unrefrigerated vials must be thrown away 42 days if stored in room temperature.

Disposal

Do not dispose of this drug in wastewater or recycle needles and syringes. Placed used needles in a puncture-resistant sharps container with a screw cap.