Important Safety Information for Apidra® (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection)

Do not use Apidra® during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Apidra®.

You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Apidra®. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Apidra® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.

Apidra®, when given by injection under the skin, should not be mixed with insulins other than NPH. Do not mix Apidra® with any insulin when used in the pump or for intravenous administration.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Apidra®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life threatening. It may cause harm to your heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include low blood potassium, injection site reactions, such as changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, such as itching and rash. Less common, but potentially more serious or life-threatening, is generalized allergy to insulin, including anaphylactic reactions.

Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Before starting Apidra®, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed.

If the pump or infusion set does not work right, you may not receive the right amount of insulin. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or ketosis can happen. Problems should be identified and corrected as quickly as possible. Change the Apidra® in the pump reservoir every 48 hours.

Apidra® has not been studied in children with type 2 diabetes or in children younger than 4 years of age with type 1 diabetes. In a clinical study of children with type 1 diabetes, there was a higher rate of severe symptomatic hypoglycemia in the two treatment groups (Apidra® or insulin lispro) compared to adult trials with type 1 diabetes.

Apidra® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.

Indications and Usage for Apidra® (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection)

Prescription Apidra® is a rapid-acting insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes to improve blood sugar control. Apidra® given by subcutaneous injection is usually used with a longer-acting insulin. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra® should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Apidra® may be infused subcutaneously by external insulin infusion pumps.

Click here for Full Prescribing Information for Apidra®.

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The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

*Offer is not valid for patients if their prescriptions are paid in part or full by any state or federally funded programs, including, but not limited to, Medicare or Medicaid, Medigap, VA, DOD, or TriCare. Offer is not valid where prohibited by law. Sanofi US reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this offer without notice. Maximum benefit is $100 off per prescription depending on your out of pocket costs. Offer expires 12/31/2013.