Has anyone been advised to not use Novolog in the pump recently? I’ve read through blogs and articles online and it sounds like people still use Novolog in the pump (as do I, for the time being). My endocrinologist just told me he’s switched his pumpers to Humalog and Apidra and is no longer advising Novolog…so I wanted to see if anyone else has made this change or heard this same thing?? I will also ask my CDE.
I did do a couple Google searches earlier this week, Dave…just seemed that most of the articles that say it’s okay were written BEFORE the last few months (when the doc has been switching people). My endo is also Type1 and wears a pump (doesn’t mean he’s always right…I am a firm believer in getting backup info and asking around). I just wanted to query TuD to see if anyone else had heard similar and/or was personally still using Novolog with good results. I have an appt with my CDE in the morning and will also ask her.
In a recent story a representative of Apidra clamed that Apidra will preserve the function of beta cells. Not boldly wrong but true for every insulin that is given to a type 1 in remession phase (honeymoon). Just a stretch of truth in my view.
Now another claim that Apidra is good for pumps and Novolog is not. Both insulin are analog insulin. Both manufactured with biotec technologies. Different in the preservatives used that is true. Different in minor aspects. These differences should make Apidra superior to Novolog? Even more - it should make Novolog unadvisable?
It may be that the endo had some major successes with Apidra. I am always a friend of finding the insulin that is the best for the patient. But this can be Novolog, Apidra or Humalog or something else - even regular insulin may be fine with gastroparesis. It all depends on the individual response to the given insulin.
To just advise another insulin without any explanation is questionable indeed. Is there some sort of personal gain associated with prescribing Apidra? Skiing in Aspen?
Hi Erika. Just my thoughts. If I had an highly educated endo, with a lot of experience dealing with many diabetics daily, I would consider his views worth considering. Also, since he is a pump user, I would think his favorite patient would be himself, and therefore would take the best of care of himself. Just a thought.
If you find out any additional info, please pass it along. I have an appointment with my endo in a couple weeks, I just might run this by him and see if he knows about this. Take care
Several years ago, I had an Endo tell me that Novolog was not approved for use in pumps even though lots of people do it. I switched back to Humalog under that doctor, but found that it took longer to bring down a high and the “tail,” or time until a bolus is out of your system, lasted longer. When I moved to Germany I learned that Humalog is hardly ever used there – they use Novolog almost exclusively. I also tried Apidra at one time and didn’t notice any difference between it and Humalog. I would definitely ask your Endo for more info before changing anything, especially if what you’re doing is working. And please share what you find out here!
I’ve used Novolog, Humalog and Apidra in my pump and had no issues with any of them. I currently use Novolog in mine and have been doing so for quite a long time with no issues. I tried Apidra just curious how it worked for me. I did like it and thought I had slightly better control then with Novolog but not a huge difference. It was more expensive for me to use however so I have stayed with Novolog for now. My last DR was also a Type 1 diabetic on a pump and she used Novolog. She said she was told to try Apidra because it was supposed to be better in the pump. She didn’t seem too concerned about switching herself to Apidra at the time though. It wouldn’t hurt you to try Apidra if you wanted. I would see how you like it. If you decide to give it a try see if you notice any better/worse control in your numbers, compare the expense of both and make your final decison that way. That’s what I did. But if you’re fine with using Novolog then I wouldn’t let your DR pressure you otherwise.
I’ve also used all three and noticed little difference in terms of pumping… I don’t suspect that my doctor has any preference either, though when I asked to switch to Apidra due to increasingly bad site irritation, she did mention that she only had a few patients using Apidra in their pumps. I didn’t take that to be a good thing or a bad thing - just that they didn’t have many patients on it (they now have at least one more though - me!)
I developed a skin sensitivity to Humalog fairly quickly when I first started pumping in 2002, causing large lumps that would burn and itch for DAYS after removing my sets (these weren’t infections, the irritation would start within a few hours of inserting a new infusion set), and after returning to pumping last fall Novolog that insulin started doing the same thing… very frustrating. I was super happy that I had another option with Apidra, and even happier that it’s been working out well.
i would consider your endo’s advice while remaining skeptical and, above all, asking some questions.
such as … how are my numbers? if your control is good with novolog why change?
to your endo … do you have any consulting deal or relationship with lily? many doctors do and they help steer business to certain vendors.
to your endo … why the switch? why now? what’s different now compared to last year when both of you seemed fine with novolog? press for details and context; it’s your health and wallet after all.