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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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Watch the 'How to Take Apidra®' Video
Important Safety Information for Apidra®
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Apidra®. The most common side effect of insulin, including Apidra®, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Please click here for additional Important Safety Information.

*Offer is not valid for patients participating in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal- or state-funded benefit programs. Offer not valid in MA (except for cash-paying patients). Void where prohibited by law. Cards are the property of sanofi-aventis, and must be returned upon request. Both parties reserve the right to rescind, revoke, or amend this program without notice. Maximum offer value $250 per prescription. Cards valid through April 30, 2012.

How to Take Apidra®

Whether you're just starting your Apidra® insulin regimen as part of your overall diabetes treatment plan, or are looking for a quick refresher, this section will show you simple, step-by-step instructions for using rapid-acting Apidra®. Watch the instructional video or read the guide below to learn proper injection techniques for Apidra®. For information regarding Apidra® use with the Apidra® SoloSTAR®
pen, click here.



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Click here to view the full transcript for the Apidra® Injection Video

A GUIDE TO GETTING STARTED WITH APIDRA®

Always start by washing your hands.

Check Apidra® to make sure it is clear and colorless. Do not use Apidra® after the expiration date stamped on the label, or if it is cloudy or if you see particles. Throw the vial away and get a new one.

DO NOT MIX APIDRA® WITH ANY OTHER TYPE OF INSULIN THAN NPH. If you are mixing Apidra® with NPH human insulin, draw Apidra® into the syringe first, inject the mixture right away. The syringe must be new and must not contain any other medicine or residue. You do not need to shake the vial before use.

Always use a new needle and syringe every time you dose. Throw them away properly. Never share needles and syringes.

PREPARING THE DOSE

Remove the cap

Remove the cap
If you are using a new vial, remove the protective cap. DO NOT remove the stopper.

Sterilize top

Sterilize top
Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab. You do not have to shake the vial of Apidra® before use.

Inject air into vial

Inject air into vial
Draw air into the syringe equal to your insulin dose. Put the needle through the rubber top of the vial and push the plunger to inject the air into the vial.

Draw up dose

Draw up dose
Leave the syringe in the vial and turn both upside down. Hold the syringe and vial firmly in one hand. Make sure the tip of the needle is in the insulin. With your free hand, pull the plunger to withdraw the correct dose into the syringe.

Check for bubbles

Check for bubbles
Before you take the needle out of the vial, check the syringe for air bubbles.

Tap to release

Tap to release
If bubbles are in the medicine, hold the syringe straight up and tap the side of the syringe until the bubbles float to the top.

Eject air
Push the bubbles out with the plunger and draw the insulin back in until you have the correct dose. If you are mixing Apidra® with NPH check with your healthcare provider on how to mix.

Remove needle
Remove the needle from the vial. Do not let the needle touch anything. You are now ready to inject.


Injecting Apidra®


Inject Apidra® under your skin. Take Apidra® as prescribed by your healthcare provider.


Injection Area

Pick your spot: upper arm, thigh, or abdomen
Decide on an injection area—either upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. Injection sites within an injection area must be different from one injection to the next.
(see Rotating injection sites).

Clean skin with alcohol
Use alcohol or soap and water to clean the injection site. The injection site should be dry before you inject.

Pinch a fold of skin

Pinch a fold of skin
Pinch the skin and hold it. Insert the needle in the way your healthcare professional has shown you.

Complete the injection

Complete the injection
Administer Apidra®:

Slowly push in the plunger of the syringe all the way.
Make sure you have injected all the insulin.
Leave the needle in the skin for about 10 seconds.
Pull the needle straight out.
For several seconds, gently press on the spot where you injected yourself.

Do not rub the area.

Discard material safely

Discard material safely

Do not recap the used needle.
Follow your healthcare professional's instructions for throwing away the needle and syringe.


ROTATING INJECTION SITES

Apidra®is taken within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after the start of a meal. Because of how the body absorbs insulin, Apidra® is injected into the less-sensitive layer of fatty tissue just under the skin—not into the muscle.

The 3 most common areas to inject insulin are:

Areas To Inject Insulin

1. The abdomen, except for a 2-inch circle around the navel.
2. The top and outer thighs. Avoid injecting too close to the bony area above the knee.
3. The outer, upper arms. Use the outer back area of the upper arm where there is fatty tissue.

With Apidra®, injection sites may be easily rotated because whether you inject into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, the rate of absorption is the same for all 3 areas.

Once you've picked your area (upper arm, thigh, or abdomen), remember that sites within those areas must be different from one injection to the next.

Never inject Apidra® into muscle or too close to moles or scars. Also, be sure to rotate your injection sites as instructed by your healthcare team.

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.