Apidra (Insulin) for Diabetes

Overview

Apidra is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Apidra is also referred to by its drug name, Insulin glulisine (rDNA origin). Your doctor may prescribe another type of insulin or an oral medication such as Metformin to take along with Apidra.

Apidra is a fast-acting insulin and a human insulin analog. An insulin analog is a synthetic substance very similar to human insulin. Insulin analogs are designed to affect the body more predictably than human insulin does.

How do I take it?

Prescribing information states that Apidra should be administered via subcutaneous injection. Your doctor will explain when and where you should inject Apidra and how to measure your dosage. Apidra is usually injected within 15 minutes before or 20 minutes after the start of a meal.

Apidra comes as a liquid in vials and prefilled pens.

Side effects

The FDA-approved label for Apidra lists common side effects including hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), hypokalemia (low potassium), and minor redness or irritation at injection sites.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Apidra include a systemic allergic reaction.