Apidra® gives you mealtime dosing flexibility because you can take
your dose within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after you start a meal.
Having the option of flexible dosing can help, especially at restaurants where your
food may not arrive on time. You can also taste your food to see if you like it
and determine how much you will eat before you decide on your insulin dose. Of course,
you should always eat sensible portions and follow your diet. The flexibility of
Apidra® may be an excellent fit for your daily routine.
Click here to watch an instructional video and view step-by-step instructions on How to Take Apidra®.
Take your insulin before you eat or after you eat. Apidra® rapid-acting insulin lets you decide
You can take Apidra® rapid-acting insulin within 15 minutes before your meal, or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. You decide what works best for you. This flexible time frame for insulin dosing can really help. Let's face it, even under the best circumstances, mealtime schedules can be unpredictable. That is why it's important to take a mealtime insulin that works quickly, and over a short period of time, to help you manage blood sugar spikes that occur with eating a meal. Apidra® does just that. It starts to work within 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about an hour, and continues working for 2 to 4 hours to give your body mealtime insulin coverage.
And Apidra® rapid-acting (mealtime) insulin is effective. In a clinical study, when taken within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal, Apidra® was found to be as effective as regular human insulin given 30 to 45 minutes before a meal.
The flexibility to be used with an insulin pump, pen, or vial and syringe
When administering Apidra®, you can take it using a vial and syringe. Apidra® may also be used with the OptiClik® injection pen. You may even want to take it in an insulin pump. That's OK. Apidra® is a flexible, rapid-acting insulin. In clinical studies, Apidra® was found to be safe and effective when used in an insulin pump, injection pen, or vial and syringe. Apidra® should be used as part of an overall diabetes treatment plan, which may include diet, exercise, and other diabetes medications.
Of course, you should always check with your doctor about any changes you would like to make with your diabetes treatment. Your doctor can tell you if an insulin pump is right for you. He or she can also recommend the proper pump and instruct you on its use. It's important to note that rapid-acting Apidra® cannot be mixed with any other insulin or liquid when used in a pump.
Finding the right mealtime insulin dose for you
Because everybody with diabetes is different, everybody has different insulin needs. That's why Apidra® rapid-acting insulin is dosed differently for different people. To find out which mealtime insulin dose is right for you, your healthcare provider will take many different things into account, such as your lifestyle, how much you exercise, your diet, and the other medications you are taking. Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program. By working closely with your healthcare provider, you can come up with an insulin dosing strategy that gives you the mealtime blood sugar control you need.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, since these can change the way insulin works.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR APIDRA®
Apidra® is for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for the control of high
blood sugar. Apidra® should normally be used with a longer-acting insulin. Do
not use Apidra® during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you are
allergic to insulin glulisine.
OptiClik® is a reusable insulin delivery device (insulin pen) for use with a
3-mL Apidra® cartridge (U-100). Needles and the OptiClik® pen must not
be shared.
Apidra® differs from regular human insulin by its rapid onset and shorter
duration of action. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra® should be given
within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Due to the
short duration of action of Apidra®, patients also require a longer-acting insulin
or insulin infusion pump therapy. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously
and only under medical supervision. Tell your doctor about all other
medicines and supplements you are taking. Glucose monitoring is recommended for
all patients with diabetes.
Possible side effects may include low blood sugar; 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.
When used in a pump, do not mix Apidra® with any other insulin or liquid.
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.
Exercise or activity level may change the way your body uses insulin. Check with your healthcare provider before you start an exercise program because your dose may need to be changed.
Click here for additional important information for Apidra®.
