Alternatives to NovoLog Mix 70/30 If You Can't Fill Your Prescription

When NovoLog Mix 70/30 is out of stock at your pharmacy, you need options — fast. But insulin is not a medication where you can simply pick a substitute off the shelf. Different insulins have different onset times, peak activity, and durations. Switching without medical guidance can be dangerous. This guide outlines the most common alternatives and what you need to know about each one — but always consult your doctor or pharmacist before making any change.

Why You Can't Just Switch Insulins on Your Own

NovoLog Mix 70/30 is a premixed combination of 70% intermediate-acting insulin aspart protamine and 30% rapid-acting insulin aspart. The fixed ratio is designed for twice-daily dosing to cover both meal spikes and background insulin needs. Any substitute must account for these same physiological needs — but the timing, dose, and schedule may be different.

Using the wrong insulin or wrong dose can cause severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) or severe hyperglycemia. Both are medical emergencies. That said, there are several reasonable alternatives that your doctor may prescribe if NovoLog Mix 70/30 is unavailable.

Option 1: Humalog Mix 75/25 (Insulin Lispro Protamine / Insulin Lispro)

Humalog Mix 75/25 is the closest like-for-like alternative to NovoLog Mix 70/30. Made by Eli Lilly, it combines 75% insulin lispro protamine (intermediate-acting) and 25% insulin lispro (rapid-acting). Like NovoLog Mix 70/30, it is a premixed analog insulin designed for twice-daily dosing.

Key differences: the ratio is slightly different (75/25 vs 70/30), and the rapid-acting component is insulin lispro rather than insulin aspart. Some patients may need a dose adjustment when switching. Eli Lilly also makes Humalog Mix 50/50 for patients who need a more even distribution.

Option 2: Humulin 70/30 or Novolin 70/30 (Human Insulin Premixes)

Humulin 70/30 (Eli Lilly) and Novolin 70/30 (Novo Nordisk) are premixed human insulins — not analogs. They combine NPH (intermediate-acting) and regular human insulin. The key difference is that these have a slower onset and require injection 30-45 minutes before a meal, compared to 15 minutes for NovoLog Mix 70/30.

These are significantly less expensive — Novolin 70/30 is available at Walmart pharmacies as a ReliOn brand — and may be an option for patients in a short-term emergency. However, the pharmacokinetic profile is meaningfully different. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose and timing when switching.

Option 3: Separate Basal + Bolus Insulin Therapy

Rather than a premixed insulin, some patients transition to using a long-acting (basal) insulin like Lantus (insulin glargine), Tresiba (insulin degludec), or Levemir (insulin detemir) combined with a rapid-acting (bolus) insulin like NovoLog or Humalog at mealtimes.

This approach offers more flexibility — you can adjust mealtime doses independently — but it requires more injections per day and more complex dosing. Many endocrinologists prefer this "basal-bolus" approach for tighter long-term glycemic control. If your doctor recommends this transition, expect a period of adjustment and more frequent blood glucose monitoring.

Option 4: Biosimilar Insulin Aspart Products

As of 2025-2026, biosimilar versions of insulin aspart (the rapid-acting component in NovoLog Mix 70/30) have received FDA approval. Merilog (insulin aspart-szjj, by Sanofi) and Kirsty (insulin aspart-xjhz, by Biocon/Viatris) are both approved biosimilars to NovoLog. However, these are the rapid-acting component only — there is not yet a biosimilar specifically for the NovoLog Mix 70/30 premixed combination.

Comparison at a Glance

• Humalog Mix 75/25: Closest analog alternative; similar dosing, slight ratio difference
• Humulin 70/30 / Novolin 70/30: Lower cost, slower onset (30-45 min before meals), not analog
• Basal + Bolus: More flexible, more injections, widely available during shortages
• Biosimilar insulin aspart: Rapid-acting component only; no premixed biosimilar mix available yet

The Most Important Step: Call Your Doctor

Before switching to any alternative insulin, call your doctor or endocrinologist. In many cases, an office can quickly send an alternative prescription to your pharmacy. If you're actively struggling to find NovoLog Mix 70/30, try medfinder first to check which pharmacies near you have it — you may find it closer than you think. But if it's truly unavailable in your area, your doctor can help you transition safely to an alternative.

For background on the shortage itself, read our post: Why Is NovoLog Mix 70/30 Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026].