Insulin aspart protamine/insulin aspart is used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. This product is a combination of two man-made insulins: intermediate-acting insulin aspart protamine and rapid-acting insulin aspart. This combination starts working faster and lasts for a longer time than regular insulin. Insulin is a natural substance that allows the body to properly use sugar from the diet. It replaces the insulin that your body no longer produces, thereby lowering your blood sugar. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

See also the How to Use section. Redness, swelling or itching at the injection site may occur. These effects usually go away after a few days or weeks. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This effect may also occur if you do not consume enough calories. The symptoms include chills, cold sweats, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, fast heartbeat, weakness, headache, fainting, tingling of the hands/feet, or hunger. It is a good habit to carry glucose (sugar) tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, raise your blood sugar quickly by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, candy, or drinking a glass of fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule and do not skip meals. Too little insulin can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms of high blood sugar include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your treatment plan may need to be changed. This medication may cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia). Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following signs of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Protect insulin from light and heat. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze, and do not use insulin that has been frozen. Throw away all insulin products after the expiration date on the package, or after the specified number of days after it has been opened or kept at room temperature, whichever date is earlier. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. A product that may interact with this drug is: rosiglitazone. Many drugs can affect your blood sugar, making it harder to control. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet. Beta-blocker medications (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products) carefully. Some products may contain sugar or alcohol and may affect your blood sugar. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using these products safely. Other medications can affect the results of urine tests for sugar or ketones. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.