Novo Nordisk Announces Winner for the 'Where Have You Flexed?' Photo Contest

PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk announced today that Mark Sides from Longview, Texas is the grand prize winner of the Where Have You Flexed online photo contest.  The contest was designed to help change the way people think about taking insulin, and asked those who use Novo Nordisk pre-filled insulin pens to submit photos of unique and interesting places they have gone with their device. Mark received the most votes for a photo of himself with his NovoLog® FlexPen® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) in a hot air balloon.

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"I entered the contest to show how you really can go anywhere with insulin – even in a hot air balloon!" said Mark Sides, 38, an Emergency Medical Technician. "I don't let my diabetes hold me back, and being able to take my insulin wherever I go, including at work and where my hobbies take me, helps me to live my life the way I want to."

The U.S. 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.  To be eligible for the contest, patients had to take photos with either the Levemir® FlexPen® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection), NovoLog® FlexPen®, and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 FlexPen® (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]).

"The Where Have You Flexed contest is a way to help empower people with diabetes who need insulin, to show that they can lead an active life," said Camille Lee, Vice President of Diabetes Marketing, Novo Nordisk Inc. "We were thrilled by all the wonderful photo submissions of people with their FlexPen® in so many different environments, and hope that people using insulin with a vial and syringe will be inspired to talk to their doctor about FlexPen®."

Visitors to the contest website, WhereHaveYouFlexed.com, cast more than 1,000 votes for their favorite photo submission. The winners were determined by a panel of judges and the most visitor votes. The grand prize is a trip for two to Miami, Florida, where Mark will meet Firestone Indy Lights racecar driver, Charlie Kimball, who uses the Levemir® FlexPen® to help manage his diabetes.  

"All the photos were terrific and congratulations not only to Mark, but to everyone who entered the contest," said Kimball, who drives the No. 26 Levemir® FlexPen® car and is the only licensed racer with type 1 diabetes in the Indy Racing League. "As a racecar driver, I 'flex' all over the country and applaud others who took the opportunity to share where they 'flex'."  

The second place winner, Gabrielle Riviere from Whitestone, New York, submitted a photo from a Mets baseball game, and Rene Kokoska from Monroe Township, New Jersey, submitted a picture from her wedding, which won third place. In fourth place was Eric Hyatt from Sandy Hook, Connecticut, with a shot of himself kayaking. The runners up will receive exercise equipment and five lucky voters were randomly selected to receive an iPod touch portable music player.

The winning photo, along with the runners up and all submissions are currently on display at www.wherehaveyouflexed.com.  

Novo Nordisk makes the Levemir® FlexPen®, NovoLog® FlexPen®, and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 FlexPen® to provide a portable insulin delivery device as an alternative to using a vial and syringe. To encourage diabetes patients to try the FlexPen® - the #1 prefilled insulin pen in the world - the company offers a satisfaction guarantee, with an offer to refund out-of-pocket expenses for FlexPen® to any new user who isn't fully satisfied with their FlexPen®.  FlexPen® is only available with the Novo Nordisk insulin products.

The FlexPen® has an easy-to-use, discreet design that allows patients to accurately set their insulin dose and carry it in their pocket or purse.  Once in use, the FlexPen® may be stored at room temperature (below 86 degrees F) for up to 42 days with Levemir®, up to 28 days with NovoLog®, and up to 14 days with NovoLog® Mix 70/30.  FlexPen® is covered on more than 90 percent of insurance plans. For more information about FlexPen®, visit www.novonordiskcare.com/flexpen.

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.

About Levemir®

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

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 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 complete Levemir® Prescribing Information.

About NovoLog®

NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Important Safety Information for NovoLog®

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 complete NovoLog® Prescribing Information.

About NovoLog® Mix 70/30

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 for NovoLog® Mix 70/30

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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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.

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

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 29,000 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 one in 13, or 23.6 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.  Poorly or untreated diabetes can lead to a long list of health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve problems and amputations.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk, Inc.