Novo Nordisk Creates 'App' to Help Doctors Dose Insulin, Supporting New Trend in Diabetes Care

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk announced today the availability of NovoDose™– the first-ever mobile insulin dosing guide for physicians to look up dosing guidelines and blood glucose goals for their patients with diabetes, a disease that affects nearly 24 million Americans. The guide is available as an application on iTunes and is specific to Novo Nordisk's modern insulin analog portfolio: Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection), NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection), and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]).

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/novonordisk/45875/

Through a series of questions with easy touch-screen answers, NovoDose™ allows physicians to select the type of insulin they want to research, review suggested guidelines for dosing, titration and even blood glucose goals for their patients. The app also provides important safety information on the products and only those who self-identify as healthcare professionals can download the app.

"The dosing app from Novo Nordisk is a great tool that provides healthcare professionals with diabetes management information at the touch of a finger," said Anup Kumar Sabharwal, MD, an endocrinologist in Miami. "The app can save time for primary care physicians and hospitalists, who may not have the experience dosing analog insulins, and may help them to calculate doses from their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. This is where modern medicine is headed."

This new technology is part of a trend of physicians using hand-held devices (i.e., PDAs or SmartPhones) when treating their patients. According to a survey conducted by Manhattan Research of nearly 2,000 physicians:

• 70 percent believe their PDA/SmartPhone is "essential" to their practice, and
• 81 percent want more apps related to their specialty.

Specific to the dosing guide app Novo Nordisk created,

• Nearly half of those interviewed (44 percent) have accessed a dosing calculator online from their phone, and
• 61 percent would prefer to access a dose calculator through their PDA vs. their computer.

"Physicians are embracing the Internet as part of how they practice medicine – from accessing clinical trials online to networking with peers across the country through sites like SERMO, most physicians agree that access to information online is an asset to their practice," said Camille Lee, Vice President, Diabetes Marketing, Novo Nordisk. "We're taking that one step further with NovoDose™ by literally putting that information in the palm of their hands."

NovoDose™ is now available for free download at www.novodose.com/app or on iTunes for those who self-identify as a healthcare professional. Doctors should type "NovoDose" in the search field to find the application, or search under Health.

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®.

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 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.

Levemir® and NovoLog® are registered trademarks and NovoDose™  is a trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

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.

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 29,650 employees in 76 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchange in Copenhagen and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk, Inc.