What is Apidra: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Opened medicine: Apidra® SoloStar® prefilled pen: Store at room temperature, away from direct heat and light. Do not refrigerate. Throw away any opened pen after 28 days.Vials: Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature in a cool place, away from direct heat and light. Use within 28 days.

Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

IV: A nurse or other health professional may give you this medicine into a vein if you are in the hospital.

Your healthcare provider will work with you to personalize your dose and treatment based on your insulin needs and lifestyle. You will be taught how to give yourself the injections or use your insulin pump. Make sure you understand all instructions. Ask the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have questions.

Always double-check both the concentration (strength) of your insulin and your dose. Concentration and dose are not the same. The dose is how many units of insulin you will use. The concentration tells how many units of insulin are in each milliliter (mL), such as 100 units/mL (U-100), but this does not mean you will use 100 units at a time.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not use the exact same spot for each injection.

Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine. If you use a syringe, use only the kind that is made for insulin injections. Some insulin must be given with a specific type of syringe or needle. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure which one to use.

Check the label before use. Do not change the brand, type, or concentration unless your doctor tells you to. If you use a pump or other device, make sure the insulin is made for that device.

Use this medicine within 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Always remove the needle after each injection. Do not store the pen with a needle attached.

The insulin solution should look clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, clumpy, discolored, or has particles in it.

Insulin pump: Change the insulin and the infusion set at least every 48 hours, or any time that the insulin is over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37°C). Do not mix this insulin with any other insulin. Always follow the pump instructions for your specific brand of insulin. Tell your doctor right away if your insulin pump breaks or leaks. Your blood sugar levels may change rapidly. You may need to give yourself injections until your pump is fixed.

Do not mix different types of insulin, unless your doctor tells you to. If you are told to mix glulisine with a longer-acting insulin, draw up insulin glulisine into the syringe first. Then draw up the longer-acting insulin and inject it right away.

Unopened medicine: Store in the refrigerator. Protect from light. Do not freeze. You may also keep the unopened medicine at room temperature for up to 28 days.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to insulin glulisine.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, or heart failure.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Low blood sugar or low potassium levels in the bloodFluid retention or heart failure (when used with a thiazolidinedione [TZD] medicine)

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Never share insulin pens or needles with anyone. Sharing these can pass hepatitis virus, HIV, and other illnesses from one person to another.

Some medicines can change the amount of insulin you need to use and make it harder for you to control your diabetes. Tell your doctor about all other medicines that you are using.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Never share insulin pens with anyone. Shared needles or pens can pass hepatitis virus, HIV, and other illnesses from one person to another.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.