Apidra is the brand name for human analog insulin glulisine. It is used to help treat diabetes by lowering levels of glucose in the blood. It can be used by both adults and children over four years old, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Apidra is one of the insulins in the fast-acting class (also called rapid-acting). This means that the onset of Apidra is about 15 minutes from the time you take it. Long-acting insulins take two to four hours to begin working.
Apidra was developed by Sanofi-Aventis, who also produces the most popular type of long-acting insulin, Lantus. The two (Apidra and Lantus) can be taken in conjunction, and in fact, you should be on a longer-acting insulin if you’re taking Apidra for mealtimes. Apidra will only work for two to four hours total, so you need another type of insulin to cover you between mealtimes and overnight.
Apidra is available in several ways. You can inject it with a needle subcutaneously, you can put it in an insulin infusion pump, you can get it in pen form, and it can also be administered via an IV, if you’re in the hospital.
If you’re using the pre-filled pens, it’s important to note that your pens should be kept refrigerated until you’re ready to start using one. Once you start using a pen, it’s good for 28 days unrefrigerated, but only if it’s kept at a room temperature no warmer than 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Apidra is known as a mealtime insulin and was designed to only be taken when you’re eating, in order to manage mealtime spikes as well as to correct high blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes or those who have been instructed to do so.
It’s been approved to be injected up to 15 minutes before or up to 20 minutes after the start of a meal.
Studies have shown that Apidra has a quicker onset and longer duration than Humalog, another insulin in the fast-acting class.
Although Apidra works more quickly than regular human insulin when injected, the two take effect at about the same rate when administered intravenously.
Sanofi-Aventis was first awarded FDA approval for Apidra to be prescribed to adults in April of 2004. Four years later, Apidra was approved for use in children (over four years old) with diabetes.
In 2007, Apidra was approved to be used intravenously for hospitalized diabetics. Finally, in February, 2009, a pre-filled disposable Solostar pen was approved for use with Apidra.
As with any insulin, there is a risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Be sure you know how to recognize and treat a low blood sugar episode. When you first start a new insulin, test often to see how your body responds to it.
If you’re on any of the medications known as anti-adrenergic (such as beta blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine), you may have trouble recognizing a hypoglycemic episode if you take Apidra. Your family members, housemates, and other caretakers should be aware of this possibility and know how to recognize and treat hypoglycemia, as well.
If you have an allergy to insulin glulisine, you should not take Apidra. If you develop signs of an allergy, such as a rash or hives, you might be able to take an anti-allergy medication to manage your symptoms. You should contact your doctor right away, however, because more serious allergic reactions are also possible.
Apidra can cause injection site reactions, including changes to the fatty tissue. Always be sure to rotate your injection sites and to clean the area before injection in order to reduce this risk.
Photo Credit: Sanofi.us
