Short answer: The Novolin 70/30 label gives each dose under the skin about 30 minutes before a meal, typically twice daily, with each dose meant to cover 2 meals or a meal and a snack. The dose is individualized, and the label gives no fixed starting dose. It is never mixed with other insulins, given into a vein or used in a pump. The label has no missed-dose rule.
This is what the FDA label says. Follow your prescriber. Your prescriber may use a different dose or pace than the label's standard schedule.
What Novolin 70/30 is approved for: Novolin 70/30 is a premixed human insulin, 70% intermediate-acting NPH and 30% short-acting regular insulin. It is approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes. Its fixed proportions do not allow separate basal and mealtime dose changes (section 1).
Source
NOVOLIN 70/30 (insulin isophane human and insulin human) injectable suspension, for subcutaneous use, prescribing information and Patient Information. Novo Nordisk. DailyMed, version published September 29, 2026. DailyMed setid 508a2763-3cb7-4be5-9e53-544e84cd9b1f
Novolin 70/30 is a suspension mixed right before use: a vial is rolled gently in the hands 10 times, and a FlexPen is moved up and down 20 times so the glass ball travels end to end, until evenly white and cloudy. It is injected right away under the skin of the abdominal wall, thigh, upper arm or buttocks, rotating sites (section 2.1).
It is U-100 (100 units/mL), 70% insulin isophane human and 30% insulin human, in a 10 mL multiple-dose vial and a 3 mL FlexPen that dials in 1-unit steps (sections 3 and 16.1).
The table below is the label's schedule, from the Dosage and Administration section. Numbers are copied exactly; the section is in brackets.
| Situation | What the label says |
|---|---|
| When to inject | Approximately 30 minutes before a meal |
| How often | Typically twice daily, each dose intended to cover 2 meals or a meal and a snack |
| Dose | Individualized by metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring and glucose goal; no fixed starting dose is given |
| Switching from another insulin | Dosage adjustment may be needed |
| Route | Under the skin only; not into a vein and not in an insulin infusion pump |
| Mixing | Not mixed with any other insulins or diluents |
| Presentation | Not in-use (unopened), refrigerated 36-46 F | Not in-use (unopened), room temperature | In-use (opened), room temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mL multiple-dose vial | Until expiration date | 42 days up to 77°F (25°C) | 42 days up to 77°F (25° C) (Do not refrigerate) |
| 3 mL single-patient-use FlexPen | Until expiration date | 28 days up to 86°F (30°C) | 28 days up to 86°F (30°C) (Do not refrigerate) |
The proportions of short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin are fixed and do not allow separate basal and mealtime dose adjustments.
Dose changes may be needed with changes in physical activity, meal content or timing, kidney or liver function, or during acute illness. Glucose is checked more often during any change to the insulin regimen.
In children, the dose is individualized based on metabolic needs and frequent blood glucose checks to reduce the risk of low blood sugar.
It is not used if discoloration or particles are seen. Resuspension is easier when the insulin has reached room temperature.
Vials and FlexPens are kept from excessive heat or light, never frozen and not used after the expiration date. The needle is removed after each FlexPen injection, and the pen is stored without a needle.
Patients are taught how to handle illness, stress, an inadequate or skipped insulin dose, an accidental extra dose, too little food and skipped meals. The label does not spell out what to do in each case.
The Novolin 70/30 label gives no missed-dose rule. Section 17 says patients are instructed on handling an inadequate or skipped insulin dose, but neither the prescribing information nor the Patient Information says what to do.
When switching from another insulin to Novolin 70/30, a dosage adjustment may be needed.
Any change of insulin strength, maker, type, site or method is made under close medical supervision with more frequent glucose checks. In type 2 diabetes, other diabetes medicines may need adjusting.
In Dose Track you set up Novolin 70/30 as a protocol with the dose and schedule your prescriber gave you. A protocol can hold dose steps, each with its own dose and length in days or weeks, so a step-up plan like the one on the label can be entered once and the app moves to the next step on its own. Reminders follow the schedule, and every dose is logged with the date and time, so you can see which step you are on and when your last dose was. The app follows what you enter; it does not choose or change a dose.
This page is what the FDA label says, in plain words. It is not medical advice. Follow your prescriber, and ask them or your pharmacist about anything here.