Short answer: The NovoLog label gives each dose under the skin within 5-10 minutes before a meal, usually alongside an intermediate or long-acting insulin. The dose is individualized by metabolic needs, glucose monitoring and goals, and the label gives no fixed starting dose. It has no missed-dose rule. In a pump, the insulin is changed at least every 7 days.
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 NovoLog is approved for: NovoLog is a rapid-acting mealtime insulin approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes (section 1).
Source
NOVOLOG (insulin aspart) injection, for subcutaneous or intravenous use, prescribing information and Patient Information. Novo Nordisk. DailyMed, version published January 22, 2025. DailyMed setid 3a1e73a2-3009-40d0-876c-b4cb2be56fc5
NovoLog is injected under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, buttocks or upper arm within 5-10 minutes before a meal, rotating sites within the same region. By injection it is generally used with an intermediate or long-acting insulin. The Patient Information says a meal is eaten within 5 to 10 minutes after the dose (section 2.2).
It is U-100 (100 units/mL) in a 10 mL vial, 3 mL PenFill cartridges, a 3 mL FlexPen and a 3 mL FlexTouch; both pens dial in 1-unit steps. It can also be used in pumps labeled for NovoLog, or given into a vein under medical supervision (sections 2.2 and 3).
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 | Within 5-10 minutes before a meal |
| Dose | Individualized by route, metabolic needs, glucose monitoring and glucose goal; no fixed starting dose is given |
| Switching from another insulin | A different dose of NovoLog may be needed |
| Mixing by syringe | With NPH insulin only; NovoLog drawn in first; inject immediately |
| In a pump | Not diluted or mixed with any other insulin |
| Pump reservoir | Change at least every 7 days, or per the pump manual if shorter |
| Diluted (U-10 or U-50) | With Insulin Diluting Medium for NovoLog; 28 days in use up to 86 F |
| IV infusion | 0.05 to 1 unit/mL in polypropylene bags; stable 24 hours at room temperature |
| Presentation | Unopened, room temp up to 86 F | Unopened, refrigerated 36-46 F | In use (opened), room temp up to 86 F |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mL multiple-dose vial | 28 days | Until expiration date | 28 days (refrigerated/room temperature) |
| 3 mL PenFill cartridges | 28 days | Until expiration date | 28 days (Do not refrigerate) |
| 3 mL FlexPen | 28 days | Until expiration date | 28 days (Do not refrigerate) |
| 3 mL FlexTouch | 28 days | Until expiration date | 28 days (Do not refrigerate) |
For insulin pump use, the label gives a total in-use time of 19 days, including 7 days in the pump.
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.
FlexPen and FlexTouch are used with caution by people with poor vision who rely on the clicks, and PenFill cartridges with caution.
Pump users are trained to inject insulin and keep backup insulin in case of pump failure. NovoLog in a pump is not exposed to temperatures above 98.6 F (37 C).
NovoLog by vein is given only under medical supervision with close checks of blood sugar and potassium.
Unused NovoLog is stored in the refrigerator, never frozen, kept from excess heat and light, and not drawn into a syringe to store for later. The needle is removed after each pen injection.
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 NovoLog 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.
More on this: missed a dose of NovoLog.
When switching from another insulin to NovoLog, a different dose of NovoLog 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, doses of other diabetes medicines may need adjusting.
In Dose Track you set up NovoLog 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.