Novo Nordisk and Charlie Kimball Team Up to Challenge Diabetes Patients to Re-think How They Take Insulin

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, is partnering with 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series driver Charlie Kimball to launch the educational program, Drive the Switch, encouraging diabetes patients who use insulin and caregivers to pledge to talk to their health care professional about options for insulin delivery, like the prefilled insulin pen device. Nearly 90 years since the discovery of insulin, Americans still have not embraced more recent options in insulin delivery. In fact, the United States lags behind the rest of the world, with less than 20 percent of people with diabetes using a prefilled insulin pen to inject their insulin. In other parts of the world, pen usage is as high as 85 percent, according to a 2008 survey.  

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For each person who pledges, Novo Nordisk will make a donation to Diabetes Hands Foundation up to a total of $10,000. Patients and caregivers will be able to pledge online by visiting www.DrivetheSwitch.com. Website visitors will also be able to see how many people have pledged, identify locations where Charlie and his car will appear throughout the 2011 season and learn about Novo Nordisk treatment options like the prefilled insulin device Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) FlexPen®.

"We are excited to be partnering with Charlie on this initiative since his story exemplifies how today's insulin delivery devices can help patients manage their diabetes," said Camille Lee, Vice President, Diabetes Marketing. "With devices like FlexPen®, the #1 selling prefilled insulin pen in the world, people with diabetes now have the ability to take their insulin with them on-the-go."

Diagnosed with diabetes in 2007, Charlie Kimball uses Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) FlexPen® as part of his treatment regimen. Kimball also uses NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) to help manage his diabetes. As part of his race preparation, Kimball monitors his blood sugar closely before, during and after each race.

"I'm living proof that today's insulin delivery device options can help you successfully manage your diabetes in the most challenging circumstances," said Kimball, who drives the No. 83 Levemir® and NovoLog® FlexPen® Honda Dallara car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing. "I hope to serve as a role model for people living with diabetes to let them know that with the right tools, diabetes doesn't have to stop you from pursuing your dreams."

Novo Nordisk offers a comprehensive line of insulin analog products that are available for use with the FlexPen®, including Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) FlexPen®, NovoLog® [insulin aspart (rDNA origin) injection] FlexPen®, and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]) FlexPen®.  FlexPen® is covered on more than 90 percent of insurance plans.

To learn more about the program and pledge to speak to your health care professional, visit www.DrivetheSwitch.com. You can also follow Kimball and his work with Novo Nordisk on Twitter - @racewithinsulin.

About Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection)

Indications and Usage:

Levemir® is a man-made long-acting insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Important Safety Information:

Do not take Levemir® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in Levemir®. If you take too much Levemir® your blood sugar may fall too low.

Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take Levemir®.

Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.

Never mix Levemir® with other insulin products or use in an insulin pump.

Needles and Levemir® FlexPen® must not be shared.

Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your Levemir® dose may change if you take other medicines.

The most common side effect of insulin therapy, including Levemir®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction, such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Please see www.levemir-us.com for Levemir® complete Prescribing Information.

About NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection)

Indications and Usage:

NovoLog® is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Important Safety Information:

Do not take NovoLog® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in NovoLog®. If you take too much NovoLog® your blood sugar may fall too low.

NovoLog® is a fast-acting insulin. You should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after using NovoLog® to avoid low blood sugar. Do not inject NovoLog® if you do not plan to eat right after using NovoLog®. Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take NovoLog®.

Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.

Do not mix NovoLog® with any other insulins when used in a pump or with any insulins other than NPH when used with injections by syringe.

Needles and NovoLog® FlexPen® must not be shared.

Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your NovoLog® dose may change if you take other medicines.

NovoLog® has not been studied in children with type 2 diabetes or in children with type 1 diabetes under the age of two.

The most common side effect of NovoLog® is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction, such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Please see www.novolog.com for NovoLog® complete Prescribing Information.  

About NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin])

Indications and Usage:

NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]) is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus.

It is not known if NovoLog® Mix 70/30 is safe or effective in children.

Important Safety Information:

Do not take NovoLog® Mix 70/30 if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in NovoLog® Mix 70/30. If you take too much NovoLog® Mix 70/30, your blood sugar may fall too low (hypoglycemia).

NovoLog® Mix 70/30 starts acting fast. If you have Type 1 diabetes, inject it up to 15 minutes before you eat a meal. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you may inject NovoLog® Mix 70/30 up to 15 minutes before or after starting your meal.

Check your blood sugar levels regularly. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin unless your health care provider tells you to. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take NovoLog® Mix 70/30.

Before using NovoLog® Mix 70/30, tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you have kidney or liver problems or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known if NovoLog® Mix 70/30 will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk. Your NovoLog® Mix 70/30 dose may change if you take other medicines.

Do not inject NovoLog® Mix 70/30 with any other insulin products or use in an insulin pump.

Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.

The most common side effects of NovoLog® Mix 70/30 include skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy), weight gain, swelling of your hands and feet, and vision changes. Serious adverse events may include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), local allergic reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling, and itching), and whole body reactions. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reactions: a rash over the whole body, have trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating or if you feel faint. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information.

Please see www.novologmix70-30.com for complete NovoLog® Mix 70/30 Prescribing Information.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 87 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to social responsibility to employees and customers, environmental soundness and economic success. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 30,000 employees in 81 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

About Diabetes

In the United States 25.8 million people have diabetes, a condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Prescribing information for Levemir®, NovoLog®, and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 are available by contacting Novo Nordisk at 1-800-727-6500 or visiting Levemir-us.com, NovoLog.com, and NovoLogMix70-30.com.

Levemir® and NovoLog® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk