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Sanofi Diabetes
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Apidra® insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection
For U.S. Residents Only
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Insulin: A Substance Your Body Needs

Injecting something into your child can be scary. Normally the body makes insulin in the pancreas. It's important to remember that the insulin you inject is replacing the insulin your child's body would make if it could.

Why your child needs insulin

Without insulin, food cannot be properly converted to energy. When we eat, most food is broken down into sugar, which goes into the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Insulin is the key to unlocking the cells so that sugar from food can get in and be used for energy.

What having diabetes means

When you have diabetes, the sugar stays in the bloodstream and prevents cells from getting the energy they need. With type 1 diabetes, your child's pancreas can't make insulin on its own. So every time you inject insulin, you're just giving back something your child's body would create if it could.

How to choose an appropriate insulin

Most children with type 1 diabetes use an intermediate- or long-acting (basal) insulin to lower blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, and a rapid-acting (bolus) insulin to help lower blood sugar levels at mealtimes. You and your child's healthcare team may decide that Apidra® is the right choice for your child's rapid-acting insulin.

Rapid-Acting Insulin Analog

A few facts about insulin

Insulin is an effective tool your child's treating healthcare provider may use to help manage blood sugar.

  • Insulin is injected "subcutaneously," or just under the skin
  • You take insulin with a very small needle
  • It goes into the fatty layer of the skin, where there are fewer nerve endings
  • Most people actually feel little discomfort

If you have any questions or concerns about insulin or diabetes, talk to your child's treating healthcare provider. Like you, he or she wants to make sure your child's blood sugar is under control.

Important Safety Information for Apidra®

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®

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 additional important information for Apidra®.


Important Safety Information for Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)

Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive ingredients in Lantus®.

You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®. 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.

Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution. It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be serious. Lantus® 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.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, 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 injection site reactions, including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening.

Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, 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.

Indications and Usage for Lantus®

Prescription Lantus® is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It should be taken once a day at the same time each day to lower blood glucose.

Do not use Lantus® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

Click here for additional important information for Lantus®.

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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.