Insulin aspart

Insulin aspart (marketed by Novo Nordisk as "NovoLog®/NovoRapid") is a fast acting insulin analogue. It was created through recombinant DNA technology so that the amino acid, B28, which is normally proline, is substituted with an aspartic acid residue. The sequence was inserted into the yeast genome, and the yeast expressed the insulin analogue, which was then harvested from a bioreactor. This analogue also prevents the formation of hexamers, to create a faster acting insulin. Can be used in CSII pumps and Flexpen, Novopen delivery devices for subcutaneous injection. ^[1]

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According to JDRF, insulin aspart was approved for marketing in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration in June of 2000.

It has been debated whether or not insulin aspart (or NovoLog®/NovoRapid) should be refrigerated. Recent studies have shown that there is no difference, however insulin should not be stored in intense heat for a long period of time. This causes the hormone to reach a pre- boiling state, and separate. This can change the potency of the insulin, and it would no longer be as effective. A good rule of thumb is to keep the insulin at around room temperature or less.

References

1. ^ Aspart® insulin (rDNA origin) injection. Retrieved on 2007-06-08.