Fiasp is a brand-name prescription medication that’s FDA-approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Fiasp is prescribed to treat either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes in adults and children.

Drug details

Fiasp is a rapid-acting insulin (a type of insulin that’s quickly released into your bloodstream). The active ingredient in Fiasp is insulin aspart.

Fiasp comes as a solution in a vial, FlexTouch pen, or PenFill cartridge. It’s injected subcutaneously.

The drug comes in one strength: 100 units per milliliter (units/mL).

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Fiasp, see the “Fiasp uses” section below.

Fiasp is a biologic drug that’s available only as a brand-name medication. A biologic drug is a medication made from living cells in a lab.

Fiasp isn’t currently available as a generic or biosimilar version. Biosimilars are “similar” to the brand-name biologic drug they’re based on. Compared with generics, biologics and biosimilars aren’t exactly the same. However, as with generics, biosimilars typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Fiasp to treat certain conditions.

Fiasp for diabetes

Fiasp is approved to treat adults and children with diabetes. This medication helps manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Diabetes explained

With diabetes, your body can’t manage your blood sugar levels as usual. When you eat certain foods, your body breaks it down into glucose (sugar). When glucose is released into your blood, your body typically releases insulin (a hormone) to help decrease your blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, this process doesn’t work the way it should, so your blood sugar becomes too high. Fiasp is approved to treat type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, your body stops making insulin completely. This may be due to your body attacking itself. If you don’t have any insulin, there’s nothing to manage your blood sugar levels. This can cause high blood sugar.

In type 2 diabetes, your body still makes insulin. However, it isn’t using it correctly or making enough. So, your body is unable to manage your blood sugar as well as it should.

Taking diabetes medications can help manage your blood sugar and reduce your diabetes symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Also, long-term high blood sugar levels can cause vision changes, or kidney or nerve problems. It can also increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

To learn more about diabetes, see our diabetes hub.

Effectiveness for diabetes

Fiasp is an effective medication to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recommends rapid-acting insulins, such as Fiasp, to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. (Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream.)

For more information on how Fiasp performed in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Fiasp and children

Fiasp is also approved to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends rapid-acting insulins, such as Fiasp, as a treatment for type 1 diabetes in children. Also, the ADA recommends rapid-acting insulin to treat type 2 diabetes in some children.

For more information on how Fiasp performed in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.

The Fiasp dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Fiasp to treat
  • your age
  • your body weight
  • your blood sugar levels
  • your diet and exercise routine
  • other medications you’re taking
  • other medical conditions you may have

Typically, your doctor will start your treatment with a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms (FlexTouch, PenFill, and vial)

Fiasp comes as a solution in three different delivery options:

  • a vial containing 10 milliliters (mL)
  • a FlexTouch pen containing 3 mL
  • a PenFill cartridge (to be used in a PenFill cartridge delivery device) containing 3 mL

Drug strengths

Fiasp only comes in one strength: 100 units per mL (units/mL).

Dosage for diabetes

Since the dosage of Fiasp depends on many different factors, there isn’t a typical recommended dosage. However, your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.

Dosage for type 1 diabetes

For people with type 1 diabetes, the total insulin dosage taken throughout the day is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)

The American Diabetes Association recommends taking between 0.4 to 1 unit of insulin per kg of body weight per day. So, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your total daily insulin dose would be between 28 units and 70 units.

You’ll typically take your daily dose using two types of insulin: rapid-acting insulin, such as Fiasp, and long-acting insulin. (Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream. Long-acting insulin is released over time into your bloodstream.)

In most cases, your doctor will recommend taking long-acting insulin for half of your total daily insulin dose. The remaining half will consist of rapid-acting insulin, such as Fiasp. This dose will be taken throughout the day with your meals. Your doctor will help determine how much of your daily dose will be Fiasp and how much will be long-acting insulin.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

For people with type 2 diabetes, the total insulin dosage taken throughout the day is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends taking between 0.3 and 0.5 units of insulin per kg of body weight. So, if you weigh 70 kg (about 154 lb), your total daily dose would be between 21 units and 35 units.

You’ll typically take your daily dose using two types of insulin: rapid-acting insulin, such as Fiasp, and long-acting insulin. (Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream. Long-acting insulin is released over time into your bloodstream.)

Typically, your doctor will recommend taking long-acting insulin for half of your total daily insulin dose. The remaining half will consist of rapid-acting insulin, such as Fiasp. This dose will be taken throughout the day with your meals. Your doctor will help determine how much of your daily dose will be Fiasp and how much will be long-acting insulin.

Your doctor may also adjust your dosage over time to determine the best diabetes care plan for you. In some cases, they may recommend a correction dose. This is an extra dose that’ll help decrease your blood sugar if it goes beyond a certain level.

Your doctor can provide you with a dosage chart to help you keep track of your insulin dosages. This chart will also tell you when you’ll need to take a correction dose. If you have questions or concerns about the best dosage of Fiasp for you, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Fiasp is also approved to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes in children.

The dosage of Fiasp in children with diabetes is the same as the dosage in adults. (For additional information, see “Dosage for type 1 diabetes” or “Dosage for type 2 diabetes” just above.) And as with adults, your child’s dosage depends on many factors. These include their body weight, diabetes severity, and other medications they’re taking.

Your child’s doctor will help determine the best dosage of Fiasp for your child. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s dosage of Fiasp, talk with their doctor.

What if I miss a dose?

You’ll typically inject your dose of Fiasp at the start of your meal. Or you’ll inject it within 20 minutes after starting your meal.

If you miss your dose of Fiasp, your doctor will likely recommend you monitor your blood sugar levels. If they become too high, you may need to inject a dose of Fiasp. If they’re not high, you’ll likely continue taking your regular dose of Fiasp at your next meal.

If you miss your dose of Fiasp and are concerned about when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help keep track of your insulin dosages, your doctor can provide you with a dosage chart. You could also try using a medication reminder. This includes setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Fiasp is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Fiasp is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Fiasp.

How does Fiasp compare with the insulin drugs NovoLog, Humalog, and Lyumjev?

Fiasp, NovoLog, Humalog, and Lyumjev are all rapid-acting insulins that you take before eating a meal. (Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream.) All of these drugs help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

The active ingredient in both Fiasp and NovoLog is insulin aspart. Fiasp also contains other ingredients that help it work more quickly than NovoLog.

The active ingredient in both Humalog and Lyumjev is insulin lispro. Lyumjev has additional ingredients that help it to work faster than Humalog.

All these medications treat diabetes in adults and children. However, they can cause different side effects due to their differences. (For additional information about Fiasp’s side effects, see the “Fiasp side effects” section above. You can also learn more about NovoLog, Humalog, and Lyumjev side effects.)

All of these drugs come in the same strength of 100 units of insulin per milliliters of solution (units/mL). Humalog and Lyumjev also come in another strength. However, it’s possible for your dosage to be different depending on the drug your doctor prescribes. (For more information about Fiasp’s dosages, see the “Fiasp dosage” section above. You can also learn more about NovoLog, Humalog, and Lyumjev dosages.)

For more information about the similarities and differences between these drugs, talk with your doctor. They can help decide which rapid-acting insulin may be the best treatment option for you.

Is Fiasp a long-acting insulin?

No, Fiasp isn’t a long-acting insulin. Long-acting insulins work over time in your body to manage your blood sugar levels. These insulins can work between meals or throughout the night so that your blood sugar doesn’t get too high. Your doctor will likely recommend using a long-acting insulin along with Fiasp to treat your diabetes.

Examples of long-acting insulins may include:

Instead, Fiasp is a rapid-acting insulin. Rapid-acting insulins may also be known as “mealtime insulins.” This is because they’re taken before you eat a meal. They work to manage your blood sugar levels, which can become higher after you eat.

If you have additional questions about your diabetes treatment plan, talk with your doctor.

What should I do if my Fiasp insulin is not working?

If you believe Fiasp is not working, talk with your doctor right away. To determine how well Fiasp is working for you, you can check your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar is still high even after taking Fiasp, talk with your doctor.

High blood sugar, especially over long periods of time, can be dangerous. If you have high blood sugar, you may have an increased risk of other conditions. These include eye problems, kidney problems, or an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Your doctor may recommend increasing your Fiasp dosage. This is to see if more drug is needed to effectively manage your blood sugar. In some cases, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Fiasp can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Fiasp. These lists do not include all possible problems Fiasp may cause.

For more information about the possible side effects of Fiasp, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Fiasp, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Fiasp can include:

  • injection or infusion site reaction†
  • lipodystrophy (a change in how your body stores fat)
  • weight gain‡
  • cold or flu‡
  • headache‡

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Fiasp. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Fiasp’s prescribing information.
† Fiasp is administered by subcutaneous injection using different delivery options. In rare cases, it can also be given by IV infusion by a healthcare professional. For additional information, see the “How to take Fiasp” section below.
‡ For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Fiasp aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Side effects in children

In clinical trials, children taking Fiasp had many of the same side effects as adults.

Common side effects in trials of children taking this medication included:

  • cold or flu*
  • headache*
  • runny nose
  • fever
  • vomiting
  • low blood sugar level
  • injection or infusion reaction†

If you have additional questions or concerns about side effects in children, talk with your child’s doctor.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.
† Fiasp is administered by subcutaneous injection using different delivery options. In rare cases, it can also be given by IV infusion by a healthcare professional. For additional information, see the “How to take Fiasp” section below.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Fiasp.

Weight gain

Some people may gain weight while taking Fiasp. Weight gain is a common side effect of any insulin medication, including Fiasp.

In clinical trials, adults taking Fiasp for type 1 diabetes gained about 0.7 kilograms (kg). This is about 1.54 5 pounds (lb). Adults taking Fiasp for type 2 diabetes gained about 2.7 kg (about 5.94 lb).

What you can do

If you’re concerned about gaining weight during your Fiasp treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a diet and exercise plan to help manage weight gain that may occur.

Cold or flu

There may be an increased risk of developing an infection, such as cold or flu, during Fiasp treatment. These infections were not commonly reported side effects in clinical trials of Fiasp.

Colds were reported in trials of adults and children taking Fiasp for type 1 diabetes. However, neither cold nor flu was reported in adults with type 2 diabetes. And it’s not known if cold or flu occurred in children with type 2 diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of an infection may include:

  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • fever
  • cough

What you can do

During your Fiasp treatment, be sure to watch for the above signs and symptoms of an infection.

If you develop symptoms of an infection, talk with your doctor. They will likely recommend resting and hydrating your body. In some cases, they may recommend an antibiotic or an antiviral medication to treat your cold or flu.

Tell your doctor if you notice you’re having frequent cold or flu symptoms. In this case, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Headache

Some people may experience headaches from taking Fiasp. Headaches were not a common side effect of this medication. In fact, headaches were only reported in children taking Fiasp for type 1 diabetes.

If you have headaches during your Fiasp treatment, talk with your doctor. In some cases, headaches may be a symptom of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be dangerous. Your doctor may recommend you check your blood sugar level right away to be sure it’s not too low.

If your headache is due to hypoglycemia, you may also experience other symptoms such as:

  • dizziness
  • blurry vision
  • anxiety or irritability
  • sweating

What you can do

If you have headaches, especially if they are frequent or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can help you determine what may be causing your headaches.

If you’re experiencing hypoglycemia that’s causing your headaches, your doctor will likely decrease your dosage of Fiasp. This will help decrease your risk of hypoglycemia, which can help reduce the risk of headaches.

Hypoglycemia can be very serious or even life threatening, so if your blood sugar level is low while you’re experiencing a headache, be sure to treat it right away. Your doctor will recommend the best ways to treat low blood sugar when you start taking Fiasp.

If your headaches aren’t due to low blood sugar, your doctor may recommend treating them with over-the-counter pain medications. For example, they may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Talk with your doctor about the best ways to decrease your headaches while you’re taking Fiasp.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Fiasp. Allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials of Fiasp but they were not common.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Fiasp, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

As with all medications, the cost of Fiasp can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. If your cost for Fiasp is high, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the cost of alternative rapid-acting insulins, such as the NovoLog cost. (Fiasp is a rapid-acting insulin. Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream.)

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Fiasp. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Before approving coverage for Fiasp, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Fiasp, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Fiasp, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called Patient Assistance Program is available for Fiasp. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 866-310-7549 or visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, see this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Fiasp may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Fiasp, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Biosimilar form

Fiasp is a biologic drug that’s available only as a brand-name medication. A biologic drug is a medication that’s made from living cells in a lab.

Fiasp isn’t currently available as a generic or biosimilar version. Biosimilars are “similar” to the brand-name biologic drug that they’re based on. Compared with generics, biologics and biosimilars aren’t exactly the same. However, as with generics, biosimilars typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Fiasp, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Some of the medications listed below may only be recommended for type 2 diabetes. Talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Alternatives for diabetes

Examples of other rapid-acting insulins* that may be prescribed to treat diabetes include:

Your doctor may also recommend other medications to manage your diabetes. These may include:

There’s also another version of Fiasp available in other countries called NovoRapid. However, this drug is not currently available in the United States.

* Rapid-acting insulin is a type of insulin that’s quickly released into your bloodstream.
† For more information on how Fiasp compares with these drugs, see “How does Fiasp compare with the insulin drugs NovoLog, Humalog, and Lyumjev?” in the “Common questions about Fiasp” section above.
‡ This drug is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes. To learn more about drugs for type 2 diabetes, see this article.

You’ll likely take Fiasp with other medications to help manage your diabetes.

Fiasp is a rapid-acting insulin that works at mealtimes. (Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream.) So you’ll likely also need to take a long-acting insulin to manage your blood sugar levels throughout the rest of the day. (Long-acting insulin is released over time into your bloodstream.)

Examples of long-acting insulins that your doctor may recommend taking with Fiasp include:

In some cases, your doctor may also recommend taking oral medications with Fiasp, such as metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza, Riomet). Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for you.

You should avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking Fiasp.

Alcohol can change the way Fiasp works to lower your blood sugar levels. It may increase or decrease the effect of Fiasp. This means your blood sugar can become too high or too low if you drink alcohol while taking Fiasp.

Be sure to avoid medications that contain alcohol. For example, certain cold or flu medications, such as NyQuil, have alcohol in them.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like to drink alcohol during your Fiasp treatment. They can recommend how much, if any, is safe for you. Also, be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you take before starting Fiasp. They can help determine if any of your medications contain alcohol.

Fiasp can interact with several other medications and certain supplements. Fiasp is not known to interact with foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Before taking Fiasp, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Fiasp and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Fiasp in different ways. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Fiasp.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Some drugs may increase your risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). These drugs include:

In addition, other medications may decrease the way Fiasp works to lower your blood sugar level. This means Fiasp may be less effective in treating your diabetes. These medications include:

Other medications can increase or decrease how well Fiasp works to manage your diabetes. This means you may experience low or high blood sugar levels if you take Fiasp with these drugs. Examples include:

Your doctor may also caution you about taking other medications during Fiasp treatment. These drugs can decrease the symptoms you would typically experience from low blood sugar. If you don’t have symptoms, you may not even know that your blood sugar is low. This can become dangerous. Examples include:

  • Beta-blockers such as:
    • metoprolol (Toprol-XL, Lopressor)
    • propranolol (Inderal LA)
    • carvedilol (Coreg)
  • Clonidine (Catapres-TTS-3, Kapvay, Nexiclon XR)

Fiasp and herbs and supplements

Fiasp can interact with niacin (vitamin B3). Some people may take niacin to help with digestion or for skin health. However, niacin can decrease the ability of Fiasp to manage your blood sugar levels. This may increase your blood sugar to high levels while you’re taking niacin.

Fiasp and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Fiasp.

However, you should eat when you take your dose of Fiasp. Or you should eat soon after taking your dose. (To learn more, see the “How to take Fiasp” section below.) Fiasp works to decrease your blood sugar levels. So, taking it without eating can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Fiasp, talk with your doctor.

You should take Fiasp according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Fiasp comes as a solution in a vial, FlexTouch pen, or PenFill cartridge that you’ll inject subcutaneously (under the skin). You’ll inject your dose of Fiasp at the start of your meal. Or you’ll inject it within 20 minutes after starting your meal.

Before you start Fiasp treatment, your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to inject the medication. It can be injected into your upper arms, abdomen, or upper thighs. Do not inject Fiasp into your muscle or into any areas that are bruised, scarred, or damaged. Also, be sure to change injection sites with each dose of Fiasp. This will help decrease your risk of side effects* from the medication.

You may administer your dose differently depending on the delivery option you’re prescribed. In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking your medication using an insulin pump, such as Omnipod. In rare cases, Fiasp can be given as an IV infusion. This will only be done by a healthcare professional.

For step-by-step instructions and videos on how to use your Fiasp vials, FlexTouch pens, or PenFill cartridges, see the manufacturer’s webpage.

* For additional information about side effects with Fiasp treatment, see the “Fiasp side effects” section above.

When to take

Fiasp is a rapid-acting insulin, which should be taken at mealtimes. (Rapid-acting insulin is released quickly into your bloodstream.) You’ll take your dose of Fiasp at the start of your meal or within 20 minutes after starting your meal.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

Taking Fiasp with food

You should take your dose of Fiasp at the start of your meal or within 20 minutes after starting it. This drug is also known as a “mealtime insulin.” It should be taken with meals.

Fiasp is a brand name prescription medication that’s approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

With diabetes, your body can’t manage your blood sugar levels as usual. When you eat certain foods, your body breaks it down into glucose (sugar). When glucose is released into your blood, your body typically releases insulin (a hormone) to help decrease your blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, this process doesn’t work the way it should, so your blood sugar becomes too high. Fiasp can be prescribed for type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, your body stops making insulin completely. This may be due to your body attacking itself. If you don’t have any insulin, there’s nothing to manage your blood sugar levels. This can cause high blood sugar.

In type 2 diabetes, your body still makes insulin. However, it isn’t using it correctly or making enough. So, your body is unable to manage your blood sugar as well as it should.

Fiasp is a rapid-acting insulin that works to treat diabetes by lowering your blood glucose levels. (Rapid-acting insulin releases quickly into your bloodstream.) It works quickly to help your body absorb glucose and convert it to energy. It also stops your liver from releasing glucose, which would typically increase your blood sugar.

For a video on how Fiasp works, see the manufacturer’s webpage. To learn more about how Fiasp works, you can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does it take to work?

Fiasp works very quickly to decrease your blood sugar levels. The drug is present in your blood about 2.5 minutes after taking your dose. This is why you should take Fiasp at the start of your meal or within 20 minutes of eating.

If you believe that Fiasp is not working for you or is taking too long to work, talk with your doctor.

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Fiasp during pregnancy. There haven’t been any clinical trials of Fiasp in pregnant people to determine if the drug is safe.

However, insulin aspart (the active ingredient in Fiasp) was studied in females* during their second trimester of pregnancy. This study did not show an increased risk of congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects).

In animal studies, giving insulin aspart to animals during pregnancy didn’t increase the risk of congenital anomalies. However, giving animals higher than usual doses of the drug caused pregnancy loss and skeletal problems in the fetus. These effects may be due to the pregnant animals having low blood sugar levels rather than exposure to the drug. It’s also important to note that animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans.

Diabetes can cause other concerns during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, premature delivery, or pregnancy loss. So, if you have diabetes and are pregnant, it’s important to have a plan to manage your blood sugar levels. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

It’s unknown if Fiasp is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Fiasp treatment.

For more information about taking Fiasp during pregnancy, see the “Fiasp and pregnancy” section above. You can also talk with your doctor.

Keep in mind that birth control pills may decrease the way Fiasp works to lower your blood sugar level. This means Fiasp may be less effective in treating your diabetes. For this reason, your doctor may need to adjust your Fiasp dosage while you’re taking birth control pills. They may also have you check your blood sugar levels more often than usual.

If you have questions about using birth control with Fiasp, talk with your doctor.

It’s not known if it’s safe to breastfeed while taking Fiasp. It’s possible that the drug may pass into breastmilk, so a breastfed child could be exposed to the drug. However, it’s not known what effects the drug would have on the child.

If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment options for your diabetes.

Before taking Fiasp, talk with your doctor about your health history. Fiasp may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Heart failure. If you have heart failure and you’re taking thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and Fiasp, your heart failure may worsen. Due to this risk, your doctor will monitor your heart more often during your treatment with Fiasp and TZDs. If you notice any symptoms of worsening heart failure, such as weight gain or shortness of breath, tell your doctor right away.
  • Low potassium levels. Fiasp can cause low potassium levels. If you already have low potassium levels, taking this medication may worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor to see if it’s safe to take Fiasp if you have low potassium levels.
  • Kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, you may have an increased risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) from taking Fiasp. So, your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood sugar levels more often if you have this condition. They may adjust your dose of Fiasp to help prevent your blood sugar levels from getting too low.
  • Liver problems. If you have liver problems, you may have an increased risk of developing hypoglycemia while taking Fiasp. Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood sugar more often while you’re taking this drug. In some cases, they may decrease your Fiasp dose if you have low blood sugar.
  • Low blood sugar. If you currently have low blood sugar, you should not take Fiasp. This medication works to decrease your blood sugar. If you already have low blood sugar, taking this drug may lower your blood sugar even further. This can be serious or even life threatening.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Fiasp or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It’s not known if it’s safe to take Fiasp during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Fiasp and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s not known if it’s safe to breastfeed while you’re taking Fiasp. For more information, see the “Fiasp and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Fiasp, see the “Fiasp side effects” section above.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Fiasp can lead to serious side effects. Do not use more Fiasp than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

An overdose of Fiasp can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) or hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Symptoms may include:

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Fiasp from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to use can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Unopened Fiasp vials, FlexTouch pens, or PenFill cartridges should be kept in the refrigerator, between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Once opened, you should only keep Fiasp vials, FlexTouch pens, or PenFill cartridges for 28 days in the refrigerator.

You may also store Fiasp vials, FlexTouch pens, or PenFill cartridges at room temperature, below (30°C (86°F) for up to 28 days. For this purpose, they can be unopened or opened.

Do not freeze Fiasp. Also, you should not expose the drug to heat or light. Be sure to keep your Fiasp vials, FlexTouch pens, or PenFill cartridges in the packaging that they came in. This will help protect the drug from light.

Disposal

Right after you’ve used a syringe, needle, or autoinjector, dispose of it in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident or harming themselves with the needle. You can buy a sharps container online, or ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health insurance company where to get one.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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