Novolog for Diabetes, Type 2 User Reviews

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2011

"After trying several insulin types of medicines which caused severe itching, I was put on Novolog 70/30. At first there were no side effects, then dizziness started to occur and its getting worse, my ankles are starting to swell and I am putting on weight. I'm at my wits end. Novolog is very convenient to use, but unfortunately now I have to go back to doctor and start a new medication and go through trial and error with a new medication which can also be very costly."

• MARYM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2020

"I put on A LOT of weight with this novolog insulin. No diet changes, but gained 60 lbs in a year. I was taking 15 units 3x a day. I kept hearing "hang in there". "give it time to adjust to your body." So now, my blood sugars are worse thanks to the extra weight, thanks to Novolg flex pen. I also experienced not urinating enough, & ankle swelling. Probably because this stuff won't let you urinate. Did it lower my blood sugar? Of course! It's insulin. But at the cost of putting on 60 lbs? Not worth it. I finally stopped it even though my idiot doctor disagreed. Yeah, Doc, I'll keep taking it until I can't fit out of my door way. Ridiculous! I worked hard to lose 60 lbs."

• Painful
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2021

"On bolus regimen (rapid + long acting) since early 2021 and developed painful neuropathy in thighs/legs that is worsening to the point of insomnia. The sharp pains sensations feel like sewing needles. Doctor didn't know the cause, and want to test thyroid which was negative when hospitalized for DKA. It is always best to read package insert from the manufacturer because it contains more detail. I learned all insulin products reduce potassium levels (low K can cause muscle cramps, burning, even death) and rapid glycemic control is "associated with" transitory eye refractive disorder, worsening retinopathy and "acute painful peripheral neuropathy". This has another name: Treatment-Induced Diabetic Neuropathy. I believe PN becomes chronic once it starts as long as you're using Novolog."

• John
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 1, 2022

"Started on Novolog because Lantus alone didn't keep A1C low enough. it is effective and I have had to rely on it more as my insurance switched me to Basaglar which is less effective than Lantus. Being on two insulins does cause weight gain which only decreases insulin sensitivity. Sort of a losing battle to use more insulin and gain more weight. But that's what happens."

• 5DoxMom
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 29, 2015

"Have used Novolog for 9-10 years. I has reasonably helped with controlling my glucose but has caused considerable weight gain. My units are determined by the carbohydrate count per meal - that has been adjusted from a ratio of 10 to a ratio of 7 per unit. A new endocrinologist has suggested Januvia but the side effects sound horrendous. The other 5 oral medications I've tried over a period of years did nothing positive and actually caused too many gastrointestinal problems. Will decide in 3 months, at next appointment."

• Stitc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 25, 2019

"I take a combination of Novolog R and N. It has worked just as well as the High dollar medications that I had taken in the past. I was taking some high dollar medications and always ran through my insurance coverage after 6 months. After moving back to Kansas from Missouri my specialist here changed me to the Novolog regimen which is all out of pocket but cheaper than 6 month of out of coverage for the high dollar medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2019

"Started novalog on Friday. Amazing bloodsugar control. However by Monday I was in the er with chest pains and shortness of breath. Hospital said this medicine caused it. Then I look on their site and it says it right on side effect list. Will never take it again!!!!"

• John...
• May 2, 2019

"Been on Novolog a month, also using Basaglar 30 units a day and Metformin ER. A1c too high at 9.1 so doctor told me I needed to try short acting insulin. Costs is high one pen as $107 I pay $325 for 5 Basaglar pens. Seems like this disease is making drug companies wealthy. I do see improvement when using the Novolog when I take it at big meal when carb intake higher. Has improved fasting levels. But the cost will prevent me from sticking with it. Insurance pays some I hope but I went off Lantus because of costs. I think Lantus worked better then Basaglar but that's just my own observation and experience. I've tried Januvia, Starlix, Victoza, and none really work consistently even being on a low carb diet. Besides the insulin is affecting my weight in a negative way which can't be good for insulin resistance. After awhile the injected insulin probably also become resistant to cell intake. So then you take more and more. Yeah a expensive band aid for a disease that fights back."

• Illin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2023

"Been on Novolog about three years now. Take it at meals mostly lunch and dinner. Also take Basaglar too. Biggest complaint with Novolog is slow reaction time which allows my carbs to raise BGL too high. If I take more it just drops me to low later. Much more difficult to judge dosing giving that I am type 2 and my own insulin works some days better than others. I have basically accepted the spikes as my fasting level overnight is good. Personally, I think if the Basaglar worked better it would help balance out my numbers better."

• Scoe
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2020

"I assume the Novolog insulin is doing what it is designed to do, my complaint is with the delivery pen!!! It gets stuck and will not plunge thereby leaving the insulin unusable. Humalog has a better pen!!!!!"

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 7, 2014

"Good for lowering blood sugar and quick but the side effects were bad, it caused severe itching and a bad rash running down both of the inside of my legs. Heading in to get it changed to something new."

• Hilda
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2022

"From day 2- diarrhea Heartbeat weird Blood sugar - not much change Maybe down a little Stomach jumpy Dosage- as per blood sugar at mealtimes The pen is like shoving a serrated needle in that sticks. Not smooth or painless. My long acting pen from tresiba is very smooth in comparison. Age-69 Female Not sure of next step, due to the above mentioned sides, hopefully will discuss discontinuing with my diabetic team members, have never met the Endocrinologist…only CRNPs, PA, Nurses, Office Staff. The endo. office still charges bill for a specialist office visit. My opinion, until I am seen by the Specialist, no specialist charge."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2016

"Novolog pen does not glide well when giving yourself a shot. The medication worked well for me with minimal side affects. I have been on it for 2 yrs, but my coupon has expired & I cannot afford it now."

• JohnIL
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2023

"I have had type 2 for over 15 years, I controlled well with diet for awhile but then moved to a long acting insulin for better control and finally added fast acting Novolog for meal control. I concur that the slow acting never caused much weight gain but the Novolog has contributed to more weight control challenges. Not completely blaming Novolog because I think my Diabetes has progressed over time in causing more metabolism issues as well. My issue more with Novolog is that it really has a slower effect on reducing blood glucose than claimed. I do not find it works that quickly and in fact seems to provide little help in reducing early spikes. It does have a better effect if I significantly reduce my carb intake for a dinner but my slow acting insulin does well controlling this without Novolog. I take Novolog to specifically handle carb intake at my bigger daily meals but it does not seem to be that effective. The itching definitely is more so with Novolog then with Basaglar alone."

• BobBlod
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2023

"Type 2 diabetic 30 years, and have heart problems, attacks/stents (14 Pills each Day & Tresiba Daily, Trulicity Weekly & Novalog 3 times daily).11 Have taken Novolog a few months now, and it has not done anything as well as Humalog. I am frustrated and do not trust my doctors & pharmacy folks much anymore."

• JohnIL
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2022

"I use both Novolog and a slow acting insulin. At first Novolog worked pretty well after meals but then I started to see a delay and a continued spike after two hours. I have seen improvement in fasting BGL but I have also gained back some weight I had lost just on the slow insulin. Using fast acting insulin is more frustrating because it adds in more monitoring on BGL and you risk injecting too much causing low blood sugars. I just think your best trying to avoid using insulin as long as you can because it is sort of a grind to start using insulin."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2023

"I was forced to switch to this from Humalog when I changed insurance companies and so far I've had a terrible experience with this product. It says it's short term yet I've been told to take it way before eating, unlike my previous Humalog which was right before eating. So far, in my experience, it's more like mid-term insulin that takes far too long to begin to work, and then when it finally does it takes six hours or more before it wears off. This has caused me numerous low blood sugar events, some of which have woken me in the night with a blood sugar read of 47. Really scary. Unfortunately, I was told by one doctor, that's what your insurance pays for so get used to it. I understand the insurance companies want to make money and all but they're allowed to dictate what medications I can and can't take. Answer: YES! I'm going to see my doctor in a couple of days and will be discussing this with her in the hopes of being able to go back to Humalog."

• Fran
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 29, 2023

"After increasing my dosage from once to twice daily I have gained 20 lbs in 5 months. After the first 2 months developed heart failure and I get out of breath very easily. Will be speaking to my Endroconologist regarding these unwanted side effects. Have only seen the doctor one time in 6 months, otherwise dealing with a nurse practioner."

• Gads
• May 17, 2013

"Serious allergic reaction, hives and extreme itching."

• Yilma
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2022

"This drug is not working for me at all I am diabetic 2 and I have to take a lot other wise it is not effective at all"