Insulin glulisine

Insulin glulisine is a partially synthetic form of human insulin that acts rapidly to lower blood glucose levels. It is marketed as Apidra by sanofi-aventis LLC. It has a quicker onset of action and a shorter duration of action than regular human insulin and is normally be used in regimens that include a longer-acting insulin or basal insulin analog. In addition to being injected, insulin glulisine may also be used with an insulin pump or given intravenously.

Uses

Insulin glulisine is a rapid-acting man-made insulin that is like insulin made by the body. It is used to treat adults with diabetes for the control of high blood glucose (sugar). Insulin glulisine starts working faster than regular insulin and does not work as long. It is used with a longer-acting insulin or by itself as insulin pump therapy to maintain proper blood sugar control.

How It Works

Insulin glulisine works by regulating glucose metabolism. Insulins of all kinds lower blood glucose levels by stimulating muscle and fat to take up glucose, and preventing the liver from producing extra glucose.

Contraindications

Patients should not take insulin glulisine if they are allergic to it or to any of the inactive ingredients in the drug. Insulin glulisine is also not to be used in patients with low blood sugar.

Special Warnings

• Insulin glulisine should be taken within 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting the meal.

• Insulin needs may change because of illness, stress, other medicines, or changes in diet or activity level. The dose may need to adjusted.

• Blood sugar should be monitored regularly.

General Precautions

• Insulin glulisine should only be used if it is clear and colorless. If your insulin glulisine is cloudy or colored, return it to your pharmacy for a replacement.

• Injection sites within the same body area should be changed (rotated).

• Patients should always use a syringe that is marked for U-100 insulin. Using the wrong syringe may result in the wrong dosage, which could cause blood sugar levels that are too low or too high.

• If a patient is mixing insulin glulisine with NPH human insulin, he or she should draw insulin glulisine into the syringe first and the mixture should be injected right away. Insulin glulisine should not be used with any other type of insulin than NPH.

• Patients should not mix insulin glulisine with any other insulin when used in a pump.

Side Effects

This list is not a complete list of side effects reported with insulin glulisine.

The most common side effects of insulin glulisine include:

• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• allergic reactions

• injection site reactions

• lipodystrophy (loss of body fat at injection sites)

• itching

• rash

Clinical Trials

A list of ongoing trials involving insulin glulisine can be found here.

Research

A 2007 study showed insulin glulisine to be a viable option for prandial glucose control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.^[1]

References

1. ↑ Ulrich H, Snyder B, Garg SK. Combining insulins for optimal blood glucose control in type I and 2 diabetes: focus on insulin glulisine. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2007;3(3):245-54.PDF

External Links

• Official Website of Apidra
• Apidra Consumer Information