Is Admelog the same as NovoLog?

• No, Admelog (insulin lispro) is not the same as NovoLog (insulin aspart). These insulins have different chemical structures but they act very similarly.
• Admelog contains insulin lispro and NovoLog contains insulin aspart, both man-made, rapid-acting forms of insulin used to help lower blood sugar (glucose) levels in adults and children with diabetes. Admelog is a “follow-on” insulin to Humalog.
• Rapid-acting insulins start to work about 15 minutes after injection, peak in about 1 hour, and continue to work for 2 to 4 hours. These insulins are used to help lower blood sugar spikes that can occur during mealtime.

Admelog comes as 100 units per mL (U-100) of insulin lispro. It is supplied as a multiple-dose vial or as the Admelog Solostar prefilled pen for single patient use.

NovoLog comes as 100 units per mL (U-100) of insulin aspart. It is available as a multiple-dose vial, as the PenFill cartridges for the 3 mL PenFill cartridge device, as the NovoLog FlexPen and as the NovoLog FlexTouch.

NovoLog is made by Novo Nordisk and Admelog is made by Sanofi-Aventis.

In 2017, the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s Fiasp (insulin aspart injection) 100 Units/mL. Fiasp is a new formulation of NovoLog in which the addition of niacinamide (vitamin B3) helps to increase the speed of the initial insulin absorption. Fiasp can be dosed at the beginning of a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Learn More: Diabetes Treatment Options

What is a “follow-on” insulin?

Follow-on insulins have the same insulin as the original brand name product, but cannot be substituted for each other at the pharmacy without your doctor's approval. They are approved via an abbreviated FDA process in which the manufacturer demonstrates that the "follow-on" product is as safe and effective as the original insulin.

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What are the approved follow-on insulins?

• Basaglar (insulin glargine): a follow-on insulin for Lantus and was approved in 2015.
• Admelog (insulin lispro): a follow-on insulin for Humalog and was approved in 2017.
• Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn): a follow-on insulin for Lantus and was approved in 2020.
• Lyumjev (insulin lispro-aabc): a follow-on insulin for Humalog and was approved in 2020.

Follow-on insulins may help to save you money at the pharmacy compared to the original brands, so be sure to compare prices. However, authorized generic options for insulin lispro and insulin aspart are now available at the pharmacy which may offer significant savings.

In July 2021, Semglee was approved as the first interchangeable, biosimilar insulin for Lantus. If you use Lantus, switching to Semglee may be able to save you money. Ask your pharmacist, who can automatically substitute Semglee for Lantus (insulin glargine).

Check with your insurance company to see which insulins are covered or ask your pharmacist about how to best save on insulin costs.

Learn More: Lifestyle Lessons: 9 Tips For Managing Type 2 Diabetes

This is not all the information you need to know about Admelog and Novolog for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full prescribing information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.