My Apidra supply ran out at the weekend and my doctor had supplied Novorapid as an alternative. I have only been on it a couple of days but am finding BG readings are higher, I am also on Levemir twice a day and am not sure whether to try increasing the Novorapid dose or increase the Levemir to try and get down to normal BG readings. Any suggestions?
Apidra versus Novorapid
- Thread starter mairead
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Are your bg readings high constantly between meals or just on the one/two hour mark after eating?
The reason why I ask is that Apidra is a faster acting insulin than Novorapid and probably deals better with postprandial spikes.
The reason why I ask is that Apidra is a faster acting insulin than Novorapid and probably deals better with postprandial spikes.
I have noticed the same thing but have realized that the Novorapid takes longer to work. I find it helps if you take it a bit before rather than with meals. The sugar levels seem to spike before the Novorapid kicks in.
Hi
I have changed from Apidra to Novo and as others have said ,have also found it "slower" to work...Though with me it seems to last a bit longer with a much steadier profile, more predictable.
My doses have not increased carb to unit wise....but as others have said my timing with this insulin has had to get a lot more, shall we say, considered :lol: Otherwise you miss the spike. Apidra seemed to act much quicker and stronger for me...but tailed off, so for a fat and carb mixed meal I found I would possibly go higher later.
I find Novo takes 30 mins to really kick in with me, where as Apidra... minutes sometimes!
Novo is absolutely great for correction doses though as it's not as "keen" as Apidra.
Stick with it, experiment with timing of injections a little. I'm sure you will get there with it.
If your Basal was good before, I would leave it for now. If things don't work out with adjusting your Novo maybe look at a slight increase with Basal over time and see if it works.
Have a word with your DSN and see what they say, no-one on a forum can give dose info for your situation, we can only tell our own personnel experiences with things and maybe help in that way. Your DSN will be the best to help you with doses.
Hope you get sorted soon,good luck
I have changed from Apidra to Novo and as others have said ,have also found it "slower" to work...Though with me it seems to last a bit longer with a much steadier profile, more predictable.
My doses have not increased carb to unit wise....but as others have said my timing with this insulin has had to get a lot more, shall we say, considered :lol: Otherwise you miss the spike. Apidra seemed to act much quicker and stronger for me...but tailed off, so for a fat and carb mixed meal I found I would possibly go higher later.
I find Novo takes 30 mins to really kick in with me, where as Apidra... minutes sometimes!
Novo is absolutely great for correction doses though as it's not as "keen" as Apidra.
Stick with it, experiment with timing of injections a little. I'm sure you will get there with it.
If your Basal was good before, I would leave it for now. If things don't work out with adjusting your Novo maybe look at a slight increase with Basal over time and see if it works.
Have a word with your DSN and see what they say, no-one on a forum can give dose info for your situation, we can only tell our own personnel experiences with things and maybe help in that way. Your DSN will be the best to help you with doses.
Hope you get sorted soon,good luck
Thank you to all who replied. My BG readings have been higher at the one/two hour mark and then seem to settle. I tried increasing novo dose by 2 units in the morning and that seems to have helped, but I will also try taking it a bit before my meals. As you say it will take a bit of time to get things right. The Apidra certainly did act much quicker, sometimes too quick, but although i have only been on the novo a short time, I feel as if it suits me better somehow. It does seem to last longer. I just feel better generally Wishing you all a Very Happy 2012
Wishing you all a Very Happy 2012 As a user of both Novo and Apridra the Novo is certainly takes longer to act.. this means that you will spike higher after meals and therefore get less effect from the insulin... I use Novo when I have a meal that's higher in fats and Apidra for low fat meals..
You can compensate for the difference by either a) injecting more or b) injecting earlier..
You can compensate for the difference by either a) injecting more or b) injecting earlier..
Hi,
May I suggest that if you haven't done so already attending a DAFNE (dosage adjustment for normal eating) programme, or an equivalent programme for diabetics (depends on which area you live in).
It's essentially a course for diabetics to teach them about insulin dosage and how to get it accurate for anything you eat, so you get really good control. I had similar issues with my insulin, and this course really changed my life for the better. I have a much better understanding of how it works, and really good control now. It shows you how to work out the amount of carbohydrate in a meal so you can then work out the required dosage, the best times to check blood, and looks at insulin ratios. Knowing the exact amount one should be taking for a meal, makes it much easier to work out where one is going wrong with the insulin. See http://www.dafne.uk.com/
You can ask your doctor about it, or better still diabetic nurse, they should be able to tell you of a programme in your area. I cannot recommend it enough!
May I suggest that if you haven't done so already attending a DAFNE (dosage adjustment for normal eating) programme, or an equivalent programme for diabetics (depends on which area you live in).
It's essentially a course for diabetics to teach them about insulin dosage and how to get it accurate for anything you eat, so you get really good control. I had similar issues with my insulin, and this course really changed my life for the better. I have a much better understanding of how it works, and really good control now. It shows you how to work out the amount of carbohydrate in a meal so you can then work out the required dosage, the best times to check blood, and looks at insulin ratios. Knowing the exact amount one should be taking for a meal, makes it much easier to work out where one is going wrong with the insulin. See http://www.dafne.uk.com/
You can ask your doctor about it, or better still diabetic nurse, they should be able to tell you of a programme in your area. I cannot recommend it enough!
mairead said:
I am curious why the Dr would suggest this 'alternative' in the first place? If Apidra was working for you don't mess around with a change. They are completely different medicines, and with different timelines.
With Novo Rapid it is known to take longer to kick in but is also known to have a dreaded 3 hour mark where many people can get hypos ( I just had one last nightin my sleep!) I after many years of use never had a problem with it but now find that Novo Rapid really has this 3 to 3.5 hour wall, as I sadly experienced for myself, and now read many others with the same issue, perhaps because I have lost some weight, or that I am more active now, I do not know
However, I find myself wanting to find out more about managing with Apidra. I say if you were happy with Apidra stay with it and do not try to get used to a whole new regime especially if the other might have been working fine.
For what it is worth I have been using both for some time and especially have experience with Novo Rapid for many years. Sadly it is also my experience that many 'specialists' do not know the differences themselves so best to trust your own body and experince, and other Diabetics experiences, they are oftenthe best source of help and suggestions to help get the best out of your health care specialist and help YOU decide what is best for YOU
