{"id":632240,"date":"2025-05-09T18:24:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T22:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632240"},"modified":"2025-05-09T18:24:04","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T22:24:04","slug":"novolin-vs-novolog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/novolin-vs-novolog\/","title":{"rendered":"Novolin vs. NovoLog: Differences, similarities & side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Insulin<\/span><\/a> is often found in the homes of millions of people with diabetes in the United States. You might have heard about different <\/span>types of insulin<\/span>, like <\/span>Novolin<\/span> and <\/span>NovoLog<\/span>, and might wonder which one is best. Both <\/span>Novolin<\/span> and <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> are used to <\/span>manage blood sugar<\/span><\/a>, helping the body process glucose when it cannot make enough insulin on its own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both insulins are given through injections and are used for the same general purpose, but they are not exactly the same. <\/span>Novolin<\/span> and <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> differ in how fast they work, how long they last in the body, and potential costs. While choosing between these options, it helps to know how these insulins compare before making a decision with a doctor or <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between <\/span>Novolin<\/span> vs. <\/span>NovoLog<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Novolin<\/span> is a type of <\/span>human insulin<\/span> and comes in two main forms: <\/span>Novolin R<\/span> and <\/span>Novolin N<\/span>. <\/span>Novolin R<\/span><\/a> is regular, <\/span>short-acting insulin<\/span>, while <\/span>Novolin N<\/span><\/a> is an <\/span>intermediate-acting insulin<\/span> (also called <\/span>NPH<\/span> insulin). <\/span>NovoLog<\/span>, by contrast, is a <\/span>rapid-acting insulin<\/span><\/a> analog<\/span> known as <\/span>insulin aspart<\/span>, which starts working much faster after injection than <\/span>Novolin R<\/span> or N.<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin R<\/span> typically starts to work in about <\/span>30 minutes to an hour<\/span><\/a> and is often taken before eating. <\/span>Novolin N<\/span> has a slower onset of about one to four hours and lasts longer, making it helpful for controlling blood sugar between meals or overnight. <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> usually starts working within 15 to 30 minutes and is meant to be taken right before meals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin R<\/span> and <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> are <\/span>bolus insulins<\/span><\/a> taken around meals to control blood sugar spikes. <\/span>Novolin N<\/span> is a <\/span>basal insulin<\/span> that maintains steady <\/span>blood sugar levels<\/span> between meals and overnight. Bolus insulins act quickly, while <\/span>basal insulins<\/span> work more slowly and last longer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare Novolin vs. NovoLog key differences<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nNovolin R<\/b>, <\/b>Novolin N<\/b><\/td>\nNovoLog<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nInsulin<\/span><\/td>\nInsulin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nHuman insulin<\/span><\/td>\nInsulin aspart<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nSolution for subcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\nSolution for subcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nInsulin doses are highly variable and should be determined based on a person\u2019s condition, diet, and lifestyle.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onset of action<\/b><\/td>\nNovolin R<\/span>: 30 to 60 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin N<\/span>: 2 to 4 hours<\/span><\/td>\n

15 to 30 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peak action<\/b><\/td>\nNovolin R<\/span>: 2 to 3 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin N<\/span>: 6 to 10 hours<\/span><\/td>\n

30 to 90 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration of action<\/b><\/td>\nNovolin R<\/span>: 6 to 8 hours<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin N<\/span>: 14 to 16 hours<\/span><\/td>\n

3 to 5 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Novolin 70<\/span>\/30 vs. <\/span>NovoLog 70\/30<\/span><\/h3>\n

Novolin<\/span> and <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> help manage blood sugar, but their <\/span>premixed<\/span> \u201c70\/30\u201d versions differ slightly from their regular forms. The \u201c70\/30\u201d mixes combine two kinds of insulin in one shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin 70<\/span>\/30<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>NovoLog Mix 70<\/span>\/30<\/span><\/a> contain 70% <\/span>intermediate-acting insulin<\/span> and 30% of a faster-acting type. More specifically, <\/span>Novolin 70<\/span>\/30 contains 70% <\/span>NPH<\/span> insulin and 30% regular <\/span>human insulin<\/span>, a <\/span>short-acting insulin<\/span>. On the other hand, <\/span>NovoLog Mix 70<\/span>\/30 is made up of 70% <\/span>insulin aspart<\/span> protamine<\/span> and 30% <\/span>insulin aspart<\/span>, a <\/span>rapid-acting insulin<\/span>. Combination insulins help provide a steady effect and a quick onset of action.<\/span><\/p>\n

What conditions are treated with <\/span>Novolin<\/span> vs. <\/span>NovoLog<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Novolin<\/span> and <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> are both used to help manage <\/span>Type 1 and <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. People with <\/span>type 1 diabetes<\/span> often use these insulins to control their blood sugar because their bodies do not make insulin at all. Those with <\/span>type 2 diabetes<\/span> might use these when <\/span>other medications<\/span><\/a> are not enough to keep <\/span>blood glucose levels<\/span> in a healthy range.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, <\/span>healthcare providers<\/span> combine these insulins or use them with <\/span>long-acting insulin<\/span> to improve blood sugar control throughout the day and night. A <\/span>balanced diet<\/span><\/a>, regular exercise, and managing stress are also key to keeping <\/span>blood glucose levels<\/span> in a safe range.<\/span><\/p>\n

Novolin<\/span> or <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> can sometimes be used to manage diabetes during pregnancy (<\/span>gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a>) when diet alone isn\u2019t enough. In <\/span>diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)<\/span><\/a>\u2014a serious condition in which the body breaks down fat too quickly and acids called ketones build up in the blood\u2014short-acting and <\/span>rapid-acting insulins<\/span> can help rapidly lower blood sugar.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare Novolin vs. NovoLog conditions treated<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nNovolin<\/b><\/td>\nNovoLog<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type 1 diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gestational diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diabetic ketoacidosis<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> better than <\/span>Novolin<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Novolog<\/span> and <\/span>Novolin<\/span> are effective insulins. However, studies suggest <\/span>rapid-acting insulin analogs<\/span>, like <\/span>NovoLog<\/span>, <\/span>control blood sugar spikes<\/span><\/a> after meals better than <\/span>regular insulin<\/span>, such as <\/span>Novolin R<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because it starts working faster, you can take <\/span>NovoLog<\/span> just 15 minutes before eating (instead of 30 minutes or more with <\/span>regular insulin<\/span>), which may make it easier and more convenient to use. It also helps people better match their insulin to what they eat, lowering the chance of having <\/span>low blood sugar<\/span> later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other <\/span>types of insulin<\/span><\/a> are available and may be recommended by a <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span>, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

Rapid-acting Insulins<\/span><\/p>\n