Indications and Usage for Apidra
Prescription Apidra is a fast (rapid) acting insulin used for adults and children with diabetes mellitus to control high blood sugar. It is not known if Apidra is safe or effective in children less than 4 years of age with type 1 diabetes or in children with type 2 diabetes.
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.
Important Safety Information
Do not use Apidra if you have low blood sugar reaction or if you are allergic to insulin glulisine or any of the ingredients in Apidra.
Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others even if the needle is changed. Do NOT reuse needles. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
Change (rotate) your injection sites within the area you chose with each dose to reduce your risk of getting pitted or thickened skin (lipodystrophy) and skin with lumps (localized cutaneous amyloidosis) at the injection sites. Do not use the same spot for each injection or inject where the skin is pitted, thickened, lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, or damaged.
Before starting Apidra, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have liver or kidney problems, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Heart failure can occur if you are taking insulin together with pills called TZDs (thiazolidinediones), even if you never had heart failure or other heart problems. If you have heart failure, it may get worse while you take TZDs with Apidra. Your treatment with TZDs and Apidra may need to be changed or stopped by your doctor if you have new or worsening heart failure. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening symptoms, including:
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden weight gain
- Swelling of your ankles or feet
Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including OTC medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal supplements.
When used a mealtime insulin, Apidra should be taken within 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Test your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor when using Apidra. Do not change your dose or type of insulin without talking to your doctor. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Check your insulin label to verify that you have the correct insulin before each injection. Use Apidra only if the solution is clear and colorless with no particles visible.
While using Apidra, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Apidra affects you. Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that contain alcohol.
Apidra may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, hunger.
- Serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you have: a rash over your whole body, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, fast pulse, sweating or feeling faint
- Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia). Your doctor should monitor you for low blood potassium levels.
- Heart failure. Your doctor should monitor you closely while you are taking TZDs with Apidra.
Get emergency medical help if you have:
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, sweating, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion.
The most common side effects of Apidra include: low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), weight gain, itching, rash, swelling, allergic reactions including injection site reactions, skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy).
Important Safety Information for Apidra® (insulin glulisine injection) SoloStar®
Apidra SoloSTAR is a disposable single-patient-use prefilled insulin pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection techniques and follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
Important Safety Information for Apidra when used in a pump
Replace the infusion sets (reservoir, tubing, and catheter), and the Apidra in the reservoir at least every 48 hours and select a new infusion site. Do not mix or dilute Apidra when used in the pump.
Failure of your insulin pump or infusion set or degradation of the insulin in the pump can cause hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Always carry an alternate form of insulin administration in the case of pump failure.
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These are not all the possible side effects of Apidra. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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.
*Eligibility & Offer Terms:
Insulins Valyou Savings Program: This savings program is not insurance. For a complete list of participating brands, products, and National Drug Codes (NDCs) Click Here. This offer is not valid for prescriptions covered by or submitted for reimbursement, in whole or in part, under Medicare, Medicaid, VA, DOD, TRICARE, similar federal or state programs, including any state pharmaceutical programs, or commercial/private insurance. Only patients without prescription medication insurance can apply for this offer. Void where prohibited by law. For the duration of the program, eligible cash paying patients will pay $35 per 30 Day Supply. To pay $35 per 30 Day Supply, you must fill all your Sanofi Insulin prescriptions at the same time, together each month. The Insulins Valyou Savings Program applies to the cost of medication. There are other relevant costs associated with overall treatment. Sanofi reserves the right to rescind, revoke, terminate, or amend this offer, eligibility, and terms of use at any time without notice. Upon registration, patients will receive all program details. For questions regarding your eligibility or benefits, or if you wish to discontinue your participation, call the Insulins Valyou Savings Program at (833) 813-0190 (8:00 am-8:00 pm EST, Monday-Friday).
Sanofi Insulins Co-pay Savings Program: This savings program is not insurance. For a complete list of participating brands, products, and National Drug Codes (NDCs) Click Here. This offer is not valid for prescriptions covered by or submitted for reimbursement, in whole or in part, under Medicare, Medicaid, VA, DOD, TRICARE, similar federal or state programs, including any state pharmaceutical programs. If you have an Affordable Care (Health Care Exchange) plan, you may still be qualified to receive and use this savings card. Please note: the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program is not a federal or state government health care program for purposes of the savings program. Void where prohibited by law. For the duration of the program, eligible commercially insured patients pay no more than $35 per 30-day supply, up to 10 packs per fill; Offer valid for one fill every 30 days. Savings may vary depending on patients’ out-of-pocket costs. The Sanofi Insulins Co-pay Savings Program applies to the cost of medication. There are other relevant costs associated with overall treatment. Sanofi reserves the right to rescind, revoke, terminate, or amend this offer, eligibility, and terms of use at any time without notice. Upon registration, patients will receive all program details. For questions regarding your eligibility or benefits, or if you wish to discontinue your participation, call the Sanofi Insulins Co-pay Savings Program at (866) 255-8661 (8:00 am-8:00 pm EST, Monday-Friday).
