Novolog User Reviews & Ratings

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "After trying several types of insulin medications, which caused severe itching, I was put on Novolog 70/30. At first, there were no side effects, then dizziness started to occur, and it's getting worse. My ankles are starting to swell, and I am putting on weight. I'm at my wit's end. Novolog is very convenient to use, but unfortunately, now I have to go back to the doctor and start a new medication and go through trial and error with a new medication, which can also be very costly."

• MAR...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I put on a lot of weight with this Novolog insulin. No diet changes, but gained 60 lbs in a year. I was taking 15 units 3 times a day. I kept hearing, 'Hang in there.' 'Give it time to adjust to your body.' So now, my blood sugars are worse thanks to the extra weight, thanks to the Novolog FlexPen. I also experienced not urinating enough and ankle swelling. Probably because this stuff won't let you urinate. Did it lower my blood sugar? Of course! It's insulin. But at the cost of putting on 60 lbs? Not worth it. I finally stopped it even though my idiot doctor disagreed. Yeah, Doc, I'll keep taking it until I can't fit out of my doorway. Ridiculous! I worked hard to lose 60 lbs."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "On a bolus regimen (rapid + long-acting) since early 2021 and developed painful neuropathy in thighs/legs that is worsening to the point of insomnia. The sharp pain sensations feel like sewing needles. The doctor didn't know the cause and wants to test the thyroid, which was negative when hospitalized for DKA. It is always best to read the package insert from the manufacturer because it contains more detail. I learned all insulin products reduce potassium levels (low K can cause muscle cramps, burning, even death), and rapid glycemic control is 'associated with' transitory eye refractive disorder, worsening retinopathy, and 'acute painful peripheral neuropathy'. This has another name: Treatment-Induced Diabetic Neuropathy. I believe PN becomes chronic once it starts as long as you're using Novolog."

• Mae...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2015

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I was put on Novolog when I was diagnosed with Type 1 and have loved it ever since. I've never had any negative side effects, and when coupled with the Omnipod, it is phenomenal for me. It is important to note, however, that every person's body is different. My doctor recently had me try Humalog, to which I had multiple negative side effects. This does not mean one is better than the other, just that for my own body, the Novolog happens to be what it accepts and works with best. You should always tell your doctor how ANY medication makes you feel if you experience negative side effects. For me, the Novolog is a godsend, and I love it :)"

• Sca...
• February 20, 2010

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Novolog works very well and very fast (3-5 hours) in lowering sugar levels, but for those without insurance, be wary. Novolog is very expensive, especially when you have to couple the insulin with another slow-acting one, such as Lantus. Together, these are very effective, however."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 28, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Any fast-acting pen that fails to act even one time is a total loss. This Novolog pen fails to inject sometimes. So I rate it 1/10. What happens is: you put the flex pen on and click it into place, and then whatever amount you dial does NOT infuse after injection. So even though it works well when it works, not working even once when you absolutely need it makes it a terrible device."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Novolog on Friday. Amazing blood sugar control. However, by Monday I was in the ER with chest pains and shortness of breath. The hospital said this medicine caused it. Then I looked on their site and it says it right on the side effect list. Will never take it again!!!!"

• 5Do...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 29, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have used Novolog for 9-10 years. It has reasonably helped with controlling my glucose but has caused considerable weight gain. My units are determined by the carbohydrate count per meal - that has been adjusted from a ratio of 10 to a ratio of 7 per unit. A new endocrinologist has suggested Januvia, but the side effects sound horrendous. The other 5 oral medications I've tried over a period of years did nothing positive and actually caused too many gastrointestinal problems. Will decide in 3 months, at the next appointment."

• Sti...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 25, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I take a combination of Novolog R and N. It has worked just as well as the high dollar medications that I had taken in the past. I was taking some high dollar medications and always ran through my insurance coverage after 6 months. After moving back to Kansas from Missouri, my specialist here changed me to the Novolog regimen, which is all out of pocket but cheaper than 6 months of out of coverage for the high dollar medication."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 1, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on Novolog because Lantus alone didn't keep A1C low enough. It is effective, and I have had to rely on it more as my insurance switched me to Basaglar, which is less effective than Lantus. Being on two insulins does cause weight gain, which only decreases insulin sensitivity. Sort of a losing battle to use more insulin and gain more weight. But that's what happens."

• Joh...
• May 2, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Novolog for a month, also using Basaglar, 30 units a day, and Metformin ER. A1c too high at 9.1, so the doctor told me I needed to try short-acting insulin. Cost is high, one pen is $107, I pay $325 for 5 Basaglar pens. Seems like this disease is making drug companies wealthy. I do see improvement when using the Novolog when I take it at a big meal when carb intake is higher. Has improved fasting levels. But the cost will prevent me from sticking with it. Insurance pays some, I hope, but I went off Lantus because of costs. I think Lantus worked better than Basaglar, but that's just my own observation and experience. I've tried Januvia, Starlix, Victoza, and none really work consistently even being on a low-carb diet. Besides, the insulin is affecting my weight in a negative way, which can't be good for insulin resistance. After a while, the injected insulin probably also becomes resistant to cell intake. So then you take more and more. Yeah, an expensive band-aid for a disease that fights back."

• Tru...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 14, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I was diagnosed with diabetes in 1994. Began using Novolog. It worked great. Years later, my insurance told me I could no longer use Novolog, it was 'premium.' I would have to pay 2x as much for it. They told me I had to use Humalog to get the same Rx co-pay. Aren't ins. companies great (for themselves)? I used Humalog for years, and it worked well. Lately, in the last two years, my blood sugars (BS) went through the roof, and I had no idea why. On a guess, I doubled my Humalog, and my BS came back down. Now, using twice as much each dose, my BS is okay. Recently, I had a chance to use Novolog again. Great!!! No double dose, and it starts working 20 minutes faster than Humalog. Lilly will no longer be conning me with their prices. I am no longer using their ineffective and overpriced junk. Thanks, Novolog. It is good to use an insulin that works."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 7, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Good for lowering blood sugar and quick, but the side effects were bad, it caused severe itching and a bad rash running down both of the inside of my legs. Heading in to get it changed to something new."

• Ill...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Novolog about three years now. Take it at meals, mostly lunch and dinner. Also take Basaglar, too. Biggest complaint with Novolog is slow reaction time, which allows my carbs to raise BGL too high. If I take more, it just drops me too low later. Much more difficult to judge dosing, given that I am type 2 and my own insulin works some days better than others. I have basically accepted the spikes, as my fasting level overnight is good. Personally, I think if the Basaglar worked better, it would help balance out my numbers better."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2023

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Been on Humalog for 6 years. My A1c just kept getting worse. Finally, I found a doctor that listened and put me on Novolog, and now my A1c is going down. If only my original doctor had prescribed me Novolog 6 years ago, I probably wouldn't be so messed up, fat, and near amputation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Novolog pen does not glide well when giving yourself a shot. The medication worked well for me with minimal side effects. I have been on it for 2 years, but my coupon has expired, and I cannot afford it now."

• Hil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "From day 2 - diarrhea. Heartbeat weird. Blood sugar - not much change. Maybe down a little. Stomach jumpy. Dosage - as per blood sugar at mealtimes. The pen is like shoving a serrated needle in that sticks. Not smooth or painless. My long-acting pen from Tresiba is very smooth in comparison. Age - 69. Female. Not sure of next step, due to the above-mentioned sides. Hopefully will discuss discontinuing with my diabetic team members. I have never met the endocrinologist…only CRNPs, PAs, nurses, office staff. The endo. office still charges a bill for a specialist office visit. My opinion, until I am seen by the specialist, no specialist charge."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have had type 2 for over 15 years. I controlled it well with diet for a while, but then moved to a long-acting insulin for better control and finally added fast-acting Novolog for meal control. I concur that the slow-acting never caused much weight gain, but the Novolog has contributed to more weight control challenges. Not completely blaming Novolog because I think my diabetes has progressed over time in causing more metabolism issues as well. My issue more with Novolog is that it really has a slower effect on reducing blood glucose than claimed. I do not find it works that quickly and in fact seems to provide little help in reducing early spikes. It does have a better effect if I significantly reduce my carb intake for dinner, but my slow-acting insulin does well controlling this without Novolog. I take Novolog to specifically handle carb intake at my bigger daily meals, but it does not seem to be that effective. The itching definitely is more so with Novolog than with Basaglar alone."

• Sco...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I assume the Novolog insulin is doing what it is designed to do, my complaint is with the delivery pen! It gets stuck and will not plunge, thereby leaving the insulin unusable. Humalog has a better pen!"

• Aga...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2018

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Novolog has worked for me so far. It does increase my appetite, though. I got a sample from my doctor's office to begin. I then went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription and found that it costs over $500.00. I did find a discount RX card on Novonordisk's website, but it states that you may pay as little as $25.00. I read the fine print and it states, reimbursement $100 per prescription. Has anyone here ever used it? I had to find a card so I could afford my Lantus as well. I would just like to know what to expect. If it's $25.00 or only up to $100 per RX of what they cover. I'm newly diagnosed, and I would appreciate any help."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Type 2 diabetic 30 years, and have heart problems, attacks/stents (14 pills each day & Tresiba daily, Trulicity weekly & Novolog 3 times daily). Have taken Novolog a few months now, and it has not done anything as well as Humalog. I am frustrated and do not trust my doctors & pharmacy folks much anymore."

• Jjo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2018

For Diabetes, Type 1 "The insulin works, but they leak and come apart inside and are horrible inaccurate because they leak and get air in them. Be very careful. I rarely use them because of problems. A syringe is way more accurate because they don't fall apart or get air in them like the other cheap ones."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was forced to switch to this from Humalog when I changed insurance companies, and so far, I've had a terrible experience with this product. It says it's short term, yet I've been told to take it way before eating, unlike my previous Humalog, which was right before eating. So far, in my experience, it's more like mid-term insulin that takes far too long to begin to work, and then when it finally does, it takes six hours or more before it wears off. This has caused me numerous low blood sugar events, some of which have woken me in the night with a blood sugar read of 47. Really scary. Unfortunately, I was told by one doctor, that's what your insurance pays for, so get used to it. I understand the insurance companies want to make money and all, but they're allowed to dictate what medications I can and can't take. Answer: YES! I'm going to see my doctor in a couple of days and will be discussing this with her in the hopes of being able to go back to Humalog."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 10, 2025

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Was on several different insulins as a child in 1962. I never had insurance. I married in 1974. The doctor changed from Humalog to Novolog around 1982-85, which worked much better for me than Humalog. Novolog works much faster than Humalog. I've been type 1 for 68 years. In 1982, it cost $9.80. The price went up over several years. A friend became diabetic, and he had insurance. He supplied my insulin and syringes for many years. I called the drug store and found out that Novolog insulin was $380.00. I retired and got on Medicare and insurance supplements. I got the pump in 2024 now, but I “had” to switch back to Humalog later. Medicare would not help me. My blood sugars are all over the board, and my insurance, Cigna, does not cover Novolog. I’ll be changing insurance hoping the end of 2025 to whoever the heck carries Novolog insulin on their plan if I don’t die."

• Fra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 29, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "After increasing my dosage from once to twice daily, I have gained 20 lbs in 5 months. After the first 2 months, developed heart failure, and I get out of breath very easily. Will be speaking to my endocrinologist regarding these unwanted side effects. Have only seen the doctor one time in 6 months, otherwise, dealing with a nurse practitioner."