Novo Nordisk Asks 'Where Have You Flexed?'

Online Photo Contest to Award Trip to the Firestone Indy Lights Championship Race in Miami, FL

News provided by

May 03, 2010, 08:45 ET

PRINCETON, N.J., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk is launching an online photo contest to help change the way people think about taking insulin. The "Where Have You Flexed" contest is open to patients who use Levemir® FlexPen® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection), NovoLog® FlexPen® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection), and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 FlexPen® (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]). FlexPen® users can submit photos showing the unique and interesting places they have gone with the convenient, portable insulin delivery device – a modern alternative to using a vial and syringe.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/novonordisk/43828/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100503/MM95701 )

Now through July 18, 2010, FlexPen® users* can visit WhereHaveYouFlexed.com to submit photos they have taken in unique locations with their FlexPen®. Smart phone users can also submit photos by visiting the website directly from a mobile device. Anyone visiting the website can learn about FlexPen®, play a custom online racing game, and – between August 8 and 29 – vote on the contest entries.

"Where Have You Flexed is an exciting way for people using the FlexPen® to show first-hand how they can conveniently take their insulin on-the-go," said Camille Lee, Vice President of Diabetes Marketing, Novo Nordisk Inc. "Through the interactive voting function on the site, we look forward to seeing which entries have the biggest impact within the diabetes community and hope that people still taking insulin with a vial and syringe will be inspired to talk to their doctor about FlexPen®."

Novo Nordisk wants patients taking insulin in a vial and syringe to try FlexPen® - the #1 prefilled insulin pen in the world. The company is introducing 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®. More details are available on the website.

Also on the WhereHaveYouFlexed.com site, viewers can watch video with stories from Firestone Indy Lights racecar driver Charlie Kimball, who uses the Levemir® FlexPen® to help manage his diabetes. The grand prize winner of the Where Have You Flexed contest (determined by a panel of judges and consumer votes) will receive a trip for two to the Firestone Indy Lights championship in Miami on October 2 to see Kimball race, or an elliptical trainer exercise machine delivered to their home.

"As a professional racing driver, I get to 'flex' all over the country – including on the racetrack," said Kimball, who drives the No. 26 Levemir® FlexPen® car and is the only licensed racer with type 1 diabetes in the history of the Indy Racing League. "I'm looking forward to seeing the photos of where other patients with diabetes use their FlexPen® and sharing videos of my experiences on the road."

Second and third place winners will receive exercise equipment for their home, while anyone who registers to vote on the site will be entered in a random drawing to win one of five iPod touch portable music players.

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°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.

Official Rules of the Where Have You Flexed contest are available by visiting www.WhereHaveYouFlexed.com.

*Certain restrictions apply. See official rules for entry information.

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.

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 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.

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.

Important Safety Information for NovoLog® Mix 70/30

Do not use NovoLog® Mix 70/30 if your blood glucose is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in NovoLog® Mix 70/30. If you take too much NovoLog® Mix 70/30 your blood sugar may fall too low.

NovoLog® Mix 70/30 is a pre-mixed insulin. You should eat a meal within 15 minutes after using NovoLog® Mix 70/30 to avoid low blood sugar. Do not inject NovoLog® Mix 70/30 if you are not planning to eat within 15 minutes. Check your blood glucose regularly. 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® Mix 70/30.

Never mix NovoLog® Mix 70/30 with other insulin products or use it in an insulin pump.

Needles and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 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® Mix 70/30 dose may change if you take other medicines.

The most common side effect of NovoLog® Mix 70/30 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.

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