{"id":634923,"date":"2026-01-06T14:05:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T19:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634923"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:44:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:44:39","slug":"fiasp-vs-novolog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/fiasp-vs-novolog\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiasp vs. Novolog: Differences and similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fiasp<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Novolog<\/span><\/a> are two brand-name fast-acting insulins used to lower <\/span>blood sugar levels<\/span><\/a> in people with <\/span>Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. They both contain <\/span>insulin aspart<\/span><\/a>, an <\/span>insulin analog<\/span><\/a> (slightly modified form of human insulin). Though these two insulins contain the same active ingredient, they differ in how quickly they start working, their current retail prices, and their approval for use in pediatric patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the main difference between Fiasp and Novolog?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Fiasp and Novolog are very similar. They contain the same active ingredient, insulin aspart, and are used as a bolus: rapid-onset, mealtime insulin used at the start of a meal to prevent blood sugar spikes (versus all-day glycemic control). However, Fiasp\u2019s formulation also contains <\/span>niacinamide<\/span><\/a> (vitamin B3) for <\/span>faster absorption<\/span><\/a> and L-arginine to stabilize the formulation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFiasp and Novolog are both categorized as rapid-acting insulins,\u201d says <\/span>Angela Ginn-Meadow<\/span><\/a>, RN, registered dietitian, and certified diabetes educator, based in Baltimore, Maryland. \u201cFiasp is an ultra-fast-acting insulin that begins working within approximately 2.5 minutes, while Novolog takes around 5.2 minutes to start working.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiasp and Novolog are both available in multi-dose vials and injection pens and are administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Fiasp vs. Novolog key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Differences<\/b><\/td>\nFiasp<\/b><\/td>\nNovolog<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAntidiabetic, rapid-acting insulin<\/span><\/td>\nAntidiabetic, rapid-acting insulin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nInsulin aspart<\/span><\/td>\nInsulin aspart<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 10 mL vial<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 3 mL prefilled pen (called Fiasp\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Flextouch pen) or 3 mL Fiasp PenFill (for refillable Fiasp NovoPen Echo)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 1.6 mL single-patient-use PumpCart cartridges (for insulin pumps)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 10 mL vial\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 3 mL prefilled pen (called Novolog FlexPen)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 3 mL penfill cartridge<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nVaries\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus<\/span><\/td>\nAdult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Both <\/span>Fiasp<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Novolog<\/span><\/a> are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for <\/span>glucose management<\/span><\/a> in people with either <\/span>Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. In some cases, fast-acting insulins like Fiasp and Novolog are <\/span>used together with long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Fiasp vs. Novolog conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nFiasp<\/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<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Which is the best Type 2 diabetes medication?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Fiasp and Novolog are both effective for lowering blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. However, Fiasp works slightly faster than Novolog. <\/span>\u201cIn Type 2 diabetes, [Fiasp] begins working about 9 mins faster than Novolog,\u201d says <\/span>Blair Gingerich<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., an ambulatory care pharmacist in northern Indiana. \u201cIf a person consistently forgets to take their rapid insulin prior to eating, they may have a very small benefit by choosing Fiasp over Novolog, but it’s really in Type 1 diabetes that a more significant difference was seen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One <\/span>research simulation<\/span><\/a> also found that using Fiasp instead of Novolog in a <\/span>MiniMed insulin pump<\/span><\/a> increased the time users spent in a <\/span>healthy blood sugar range<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Another clinical study<\/span><\/a> comparing Fiasp and Novolog in hospitalized Type 2 diabetes patients found that, at the four-hour post-meal time point, 45% of Fiasp users maintained a <\/span>healthy blood sugar level<\/span><\/a>, compared with 36% of Novolog users.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, the most effective <\/span>diabetes treatment<\/span><\/a> for each person should be determined only by a healthcare professional familiar with their medical condition, history, any other medications they are taking that could interact with Fiasp or Novolog, and the patient\u2019s response to previous treatments for glucose control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiasp vs. Novolog: Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cNovolog is usually more accessible,\u201d Gingerich says. \u201cIt’s been around longer, is less expensive, and is more readily covered by insurance companies.\u201d<\/span> That said, insurance coverage for specific insulins varies by health plan and can change from year to year. Most plans cover insulin, but your policy may offer better coverage for certain insulin products over others. The best way to find out whether your plan covers <\/span>Fiasp<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Novolog<\/span><\/a> is to contact your insurance company directly. According to the <\/span>American Diabetes Association<\/span><\/a>, most Medicaid beneficiaries can access free insulin; however, the specific insulin product offered varies by state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetes Coupons & Discount Diabetic Supplies<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Patients without insurance coverage for Fiasp or Novolog can save on the cash price of insulin by using SingleCare coupons. For instance, the average retail price of Fiasp is $400 for 1, 10 mL of a 100-unit\/mL vial, but using a free<\/span> SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> or<\/span> coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower the price to $36. The average retail price of Novolog is lower: $127 for 1, 3mL of a 100-unit\/mL pen, but using a<\/span> SingleCare coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower that price to $29.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An important note:<\/b> Novo Nordisk<\/span><\/a>, the manufacturer of both Fiasp and Novolog,<\/span> has recently begun lowering the retail prices<\/span><\/a> of insulin products.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Fiasp vs. Novolog cost & coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Coverage details<\/b><\/td>\nFiasp<\/b><\/td>\nNovolog<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan<\/span><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan<\/span><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicaid?<\/b><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by state<\/span><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by state<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n1, 10 mL of 100-unit\/mL vial<\/span><\/td>\n3mL of 100-unit\/mL pen<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$36 at Walgreens<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n$29 at Kroger<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 6, 2026. Click the \u201cSingleCare cost\u201d link to see the latest drug prices.<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Novolog vs. Fiasp side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Novolog, Fiasp, and other insulins tend to cause similar side effects. The most common <\/span>side effects of Novolog<\/span><\/a> are hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels), allergic <\/span>reactions, local injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, rash, and pruritus. The most common <\/span>side effects of Fiasp<\/span><\/a> are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, injection or infusion site reactions, lipodystrophy, and weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypoglycemia is the most serious side effect of insulin. People with diabetes and their caregivers learn to watch for <\/span>early signs of low blood sugar<\/span><\/a>, such as hunger, lightheadedness, and shakiness, as hypoglycemia can become life-threatening if blood sugar levels continue dropping.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s essential to familiarize yourself with potential side effects before starting Fiasp, Novolog, or other insulin products. Consult your healthcare provider for a full list of side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiasp and Novolog drug interactions and warnings<\/span><\/h2>\n

Patients with an allergy to insulin aspart or a history of low blood sugar should avoid both Fiasp and Novolog. Fiasp should be avoided by anyone with hypersensitivity to its added ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other medications, including <\/span>ACE inhibitors<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>corticosteroids<\/span><\/a>, can impact your body\u2019s blood sugar regulation. Always tell your provider about any over-the-counter or prescription medications you are taking to prevent the possibility of a drug interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a few other precautions that are important to know when starting Fiasp or Novolog:<\/span><\/p>\n