Apidra Vials

Description

Apidra is people with diabetes use a rapid-acting, safe, and effective diabetes medication to manage high blood sugar. It is commonly used by adults and children (under four years old) with diabetes mellitus.

The Apidra vials are to be used with insulin syringes and insulin pumps with the corresponding unit scale. A ml of insulin glulisine contains 100 units (equivalent to 3.49 mg).

The vials contain 10 ml of solution for injection, equivalent to 1000 units.

Before using a vial, examine it. Use it only if the solution is clear, colourless, and has no visible particles.

Apidra is commonly prescribed when oral medications and diet modifications fail to correct the condition.  It is a fast-acting insulin and is usually used after meal time. The release duration is similar to those of Fiasp products.

This medication is also available in SoloStar Pens and cartridges.

Apidra should be injected subcutaneously or by external insulin pumps.

This insulin medication should be taken before 15 minutes of mealtime or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Warnings and Precautions

Insulin pens and needles must never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Do NOT reuse needles, as this can cause severe consequences.

Monitor blood glucose in all patients treated with insulin. Modify insulin regimens only under medical supervision. Changes in insulin regimen, including strength, manufacturer, type, injection site, or method of administration, may result in the need for a change in insulin dose or an adjustment in concomitant oral antidiabetic treatment. Dosing should be individualized based on patient characteristics and lifestyle.

Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis may result in hyperglycemia; the sudden change in the injection site (to the unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia. Advise patients to rotate injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction associated with insulins, including Apidra, and maybe life-threatening.

To avoid medication errors between Apidra and other insulins, instruct patients to check the insulin label before each injection.

All insulin products, including Apidra, can cause hypokalemia. Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Use caution in patients who may be at risk for hypokalemia.

Severe life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulin products, including Apidra. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue Apidra, treat per standard of care, and monitor until symptoms and signs resolve.

Fluid retention and heart failure can occur with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) with insulin. Observe for signs and symptoms of heart failure. Consider dosage reduction or discontinuation of TZD if heart failure occurs.

Malfunction of the insulin pump or insulin infusion set or insulin degradation can rapidly lead to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Patients using insulin infusion pump therapy must be trained to administer insulin by injection and have alternate insulin therapy available in case of pump failure.

Side Effects

Common side effects include: low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), dizziness or light-headedness, swelling, sweating, headache, confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, irritability or mood changes, hunger, shakiness, increase heartbeat, anxiety, weight gain, allergic reactions, skin irritations at the site of injection.

Contact a doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of these severe side effects: heart failure, rash covering the entire body, shortness of breath, fast pulse, sweating, feeling faint.

Your doctor should monitor your health closely, including if you are experiencing hypoglycemia (low potassium levels) or taking TZD’s with Apidra.

Bring a list of your current prescription drugs, herbal remedies, and vitamins you are currently taking when you visit your doctor.

Safety Information

Do not use Apidra if you have an allergy to insulin glulisine or are susceptible to low blood sugar reactions (see allergic reactions tab for more information)

Do not share syringes, pens, or needles even if it has been changed. This can result in spreading severe infections. Do not reuse needles.

Change injection sites to reduce causing skin irritations, localized cutaneous amyloidosis (skin with lumps), or lipodystrophy (thickened or pitted skin). If lumpy, pitted, tender, bruised, scaly, thickened, stiff, or damaged, do not inject insulin medication in the same spot.

If you have any medical conditions such as kidney, liver, or heart problems or are pregnant, planning or breastfeeding, advise your doctor before starting Apidra (see pregnancy tab for more information).

Advise your doctor if you take other medications, herbal remedies, supplements, vitamins, or OTC medicines.

Suppose you are taking this medication along with TZD’s (thiazolidinediones). In that case, heart failure can occur even if you have never had any history of heart failure or cardiovascular issues in the past.

Do not change the type of insulin or dosage without consulting your doctor first. All changes should be made with supervision by a medical expert.

If you are currently using Apidra insulin, you should carry personal identification that states you have diabetes. Keep an extra supply of insulin, syringe, and needle.

Your doctor may stop or alter your drug regimen if you are experiencing any symptoms, including: heart failure, sudden weight gain, swelling of ankles or feet, shortness of breath.

Check the label on your insulin before use to ensure it’s the correct brand and type. Do not use if the substance contains particles or is clear/colorless.

Do not operate any heavy machinery or drive after using Apidra until you understand how your body reacts to it.

Administration

Always check insulin label before administration and inspect visually for particulate matter and discloration. Only use the medication if the solution appears clear and colorless.

Practice injection technique before initiating.

Apidra may be administered by subcutaneous injection, by continuous subcutaneous infusion (insulin pump), or intravenously/

DO NOT administer Apidra intramuscularly.

Allergic Reactions

Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, may occur with any insulin, including Apidra. Generalized allergy to insulin may cause whole body rash (including pruritus), dyspnea, wheezing, hypotension, tachycardia, or diaphoresis.

In controlled clinical trials up to 12 months duration, potential systemic allergic reactions were reported in 79 of 1833 patients (4.3%) who received Apidra and 58 of 1524 patients (3.8%) who received the comparator short-acting insulins. During these trials, treatment with Apidra was permanently discontinued in 1 of 1833 patients due to a potential systemic allergic reaction.

Pregnancy

Available pharmacovigilance data have not established an association with insulin glulisine use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy. Animal reproduction studies have been conducted with insulin glulisine in rats and rabbits using regular human insulin as a comparator. Insulin glulisine was given to female rats throughout pregnancy at subcutaneous doses up to 10 units/kg/day (2 times the average human dose, Apidra Vials based on body surface area comparison) and to rabbits during organogenesis at subcutaneous doses up to 1.5 units/kg/day (0.5 times the average human dose, based on body surface area comparison). The effects did not differ from those observed with subcutaneous regular human insulin.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6% to 10% in women with pre-gestational diabetes with an HbA1c >7 and has been reported to be as high as 20% to 25% in women with an HbA1c >10. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Apidra Vials