| Active substance(s) | insulin glulisine |
| Country of admission | gb |
| Marketing authorisation holder | Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH |
| ATC Code | A10AB06 |
| Pharmacological groups | Insulins and analogues |
Apidra is an antidiabetic agent, used to reduce high blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus; it may be given to adults, adolescents and children, 6 years of age and older. Diabetes mellitus is a disease where your body does not produce enough insulin to control the level of blood sugar.
It is made by biotechnology. It has a rapid onset within 10-20 minutes and a short duration, about 4 hours.
Follow closely the instructions for dose, monitoring (blood tests), diet and physical activity (physical work and exercise) as discussed with your doctor.
Special patient groups
If you have liver or kidney problems, speak to your doctor as you may need a lower dose.
There is insufficient clinical information on the use of Apidra in children younger than the age of 6 years.
Travel
Before travelling consult your doctor. You may need to talk about
Illnesses and injuries
In the following situations, the management of your diabetes may require extra care:
If you have type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), do not stop your insulin and continue to get enough carbohydrates. Always tell people who are caring for you or treating you that you require insulin.
Some patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease or previous stroke who were treated with pioglitazone and insulin experienced the development of heart failure. Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you experience signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath or rapid increase in weight or localised swelling (oedema).
Some medicines cause changes in the blood sugar level (decrease, increase or both depending on the situation). In each case, it may be necessary to adjust your insulin dose to avoid blood sugar levels that are either too low or too high. Be careful when you start or stop taking another medicine.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Before taking a medicine ask your doctor if it can affect your blood sugar level and what action, if any, you need to take.
Medicines that may cause your blood sugar level to fall (hypoglycaemia) include:
Medicines that may cause your blood sugar level to rise (hyperglycaemia) include:
Your blood sugar level may either rise or fall if you take:
Pentamidine (used to treat some infections caused by parasites) may cause hypoglycaemia which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycaemia.
Beta-blockers like other sympatholytic medicines (such as clonidine, guanethidine and reserpine) may weaken or suppress entirely the first warning symptoms which help you to recognise a hypoglycaemia.
If you are not sure whether you are taking one of those medicines ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your blood sugar levels may either rise or fall if you drink alcohol.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant, or if you are already pregnant. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after giving birth. Careful control of your diabetes, and prevention of hypoglycaemia, is important for the health of your baby.
There are no adequate data on the use of Apidra in pregnant women.
If you are breast-feeding consult your doctor as you may require adjustments in your insulin doses and your diet.
Your ability to concentrate or react may be reduced if:
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per dose, i.e. it is essentially ?sodium-free?.
Apidra contains metacresol, which may cause allergic reactions.
Dose
Based on your life-style and the results of your blood sugar (glucose) tests and your previous insulin usage, your doctor will determine how much Apidra you will need.
Always use Apidra exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Apidra is a short-acting insulin. Your doctor may tell you to use it in combination with an intermediate, long-acting insulin, a basal insulin or with tablets used to treat high blood sugar levels.
If you switch from another insulin to insulin glulisine, your dosage may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Many factors may influence your blood sugar level. You should know these factors so that you are able to react correctly to changes in your blood sugar level and to prevent it from becoming too high or too low. See the box at the end of this leaflet for further information.
Method of administration
Apidra is injected under the skin (subcutaneously). It may also be given intravenously by healthcare professionals under close supervision by a doctor.
Your doctor will show you in which area of the skin you should inject Apidra. Apidra can be injected in the abdominal wall, the thigh or upper arm or by continuous infusion in the abdominal wall. The effect will be slightly quicker if the insulin is injected into your abdomen. As for all insulins, injection sites and infusion sites within an-injection area (abdomen, thigh or upper arm) must be rotated from one injection to the next.
Frequency of administration
Apidra should be taken shortly (0-15 minutes) before or soon after meals.
Instructions for proper use
Apidra vials are for use with insulin syringes with the corresponding unit scale and for use with an insulin pump system.
Look at the vial before you use it. Only use it if the solution is clear, colourless and has no visible particles in it. Do not shake or mix it before use.
Always use a new vial if you notice that your blood sugar control is unexpectedly getting worse. This is because the insulin may have lost some of its effectiveness. If you think you may have a problem with Apidra, have it checked by your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have to mix two types of insulin
Apidra must not be mixed with any preparation other than NPH human insulin.
If Apidra is mixed with NPH human insulin, Apidra should be drawn into the syringe first. Injection should be given immediately after mixing.
How to handle an infusion pump system
Apidra must never be mixed with diluents or any other insulin when used in a pump.
Before use of Apidra in the pump system you should have received comprehensive instructions of this use. In addition, information about any action to be taken in case of illness, too high or too low blood sugar or failure of the pump system.
Use the type of pump system recommended by your doctor. Read and follow the instructions that accompany your insulin infusion pump. Follow your doctor?s instructions about the basal infusion rate and the mealtime insulin boluses to be taken. To get the benefit of insulin infusion, and to detect possible malfunction of the insulin pump, you should measure your blood sugar level regularly.
The infusion set and reservoir should be changed every 48 hours using aseptic technique.
What to do in case of pump system failure?
You should always have alternative insulin available for injection under the skin in case of pump system failure.
This could lead to severe hyperglycaemia (very high blood sugar) and ketoacidosis (build-up of acid in the blood because the body is breaking down fat instead of sugar). Do not stop Apidra without speaking to a doctor, who will tell you what needs to be done.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
You must always check the insulin label before each injection to avoid medication mix-ups between Apidra and other insulins.
Like all medicines, Apidra can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can be very serious. If your blood sugar level falls too much you may become unconscious. Serious hypoglycaemia may cause brain damage and may be life-threatening. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, take actions to increase your blood sugar level immediately.
If you experience the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:
large-scale skin reactions (rash and itching all over the body), severe swelling of skin or mucous membranes (angiooedema), shortness of breath, a fall in blood pressure with rapid heart beat and sweating. These could be symptoms of generalised allergy to insulin, including anaphylactic reaction, which may be life-threatening.
The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention: very common (affects more than 1 user in 10)
common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)
uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000)
rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000)
very rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000)
not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Very common reported side effects
- Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) means that there is not enough sugar in the blood. See the box at the end of this leaflet for important further information about hypoglycaemia and its treatment.
Common reported side effects
- Skin and allergic reactions
Reactions at the injection site may occur (such as reddening, unusually intense pain on injection, itching, hives, swelling or inflammation). They can also spread around the injection site. Most minor reactions to insulins usually resolve in a few days to a few weeks.
Uncommon reported side effects
- Systemic allergic reactions
Generalised allergy to insulin. Associated symptoms may include large-scale skin reactions (rash and itching all over the body), severe swelling of skin or mucous membranes (angiooedema), shortness of breath, a fall in blood pressure with rapid heart beat and sweating. Severe cases of generalised reactions, including anaphylactic reaction, may be life-threatening.
Rare reported side effect
- Skin changes at the injection site (lipodystrophy)
If you inject your insulin too often at the same skin site, fatty tissue under the skin at this site may either shrink or thicken. Insulin that you inject in such a site may not work very well. Changing the injection site with each injection may help to prevent such skin changes.
- Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) means that there is too much sugar in the blood. If your blood sugar level is too high, this tells you that you could have needed more insulin than you injected. See the box at the end of this leaflet for further information.
- Eye reactions
A marked change (improvement or worsening) in your blood sugar control can disturb your vision temporarily. If you have proliferative retinopathy (an eye disease related to diabetes) severe hypoglycaemic attacks may cause temporary loss of vision.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Apidra after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton and on the label of the vial. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Unopened vials
Store in a refrigerator (2°C ? 8°C).
Do not freeze.
Do not put Apidra next to the freezer compartment or a freezer pack. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
Opened vials
Once in use, the vial may be stored for a maximum of 4 weeks in the outer carton below 25°C away from direct heat or direct light. Do not use the vial after this time period.
It is recommended that the date of the first use be noted on the label.
Do not use Apidra if it does not appear clear and colourless.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Apidra 100 Units/ml solution for injection in a vial is a clear, colourless, aqueous solution with no particles visible.
Each vial contains 10 ml solution (1000 Units). Packs of 1, 2, 4 and 5 vials are available. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
D-65926 Frankfurt am Main
Germany.
Manufacturer:
Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
Industriepark Höchst, D-65926 Frankfurt
Germany
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder.
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Always carry some sugar (at least 20 grams) with you.
Carry some information with you to show you are a person with diabetes.
Why does hyperglycaemia occur?
Examples include:
Warning symptoms of hyperglycaemia
Thirst, increased need to urinate, tiredness, dry skin, reddening of the face, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, fast heart beat, and glucose and ketone bodies in urine. Stomach pain, fast and deep breathing, sleepiness or even loss of consciousness may be signs of a serious condition (ketoacidosis) resulting from lack of insulin.
What should you do if you experience hyperglycaemia?Test your blood sugar level and your urine for ketones as soon as any of the above symptoms occur. Severe hyperglycaemia or ketoacidosis must always be treated by a doctor, normally in a hospital.
If your blood sugar level falls too much you may become unconscious. Serious hypoglycaemia may cause a heart attack or brain damage and may be life-threatening. You normally should be able to recognise when your blood sugar is falling too much so that you can take the right actions.
Why does hypoglycaemia occur?
Examples include:
Examples of symptoms that tell you that your blood sugar level is falling too much or too fast: sweating, clammy skin, anxiety, fast heart beat, high blood pressure, palpitations and irregular heartbeat. These symptoms often develop before the symptoms of a low sugar level in the brain.
Examples of symptoms that indicate a low sugar level in the brain: headaches, intense hunger, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, sleepiness, sleep disturbances, restlessness, aggressive behaviour, lapses in concentration, impaired reactions, depression, confusion, speech disturbances (sometimes total loss of speech), visual disorders, trembling, paralysis, tingling sensations (paraesthesia), numbness and tingling sensations in the area of the mouth, dizziness, loss of self-control, inability to look after yourself, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
The first symptoms which alert you to hypoglycaemia ("warning symptoms") may change, be weaker or may be missing altogether if:
In such a case, you may develop severe hypoglycaemia (and even faint) before you are aware of the problem. Be familiar with your warning symptoms. If necessary, more frequent blood sugar testing can help to identify mild hypoglycaemic episodes that may otherwise be overlooked. If you are not confident about recognising your warning symptoms, avoid situations (such as driving a car) in which you or others would be put at risk by hypoglycaemia.
1. Do not inject insulin. Immediately take about 10 to 20 g sugar, such as glucose, sugar cubes or a sugar-sweetened beverage. Caution: Artificial sweeteners and foods with artificial sweeteners (such as diet drinks) are of no help in treating hypoglycaemia.
2. Then eat something that has a long-acting effect in raising your blood sugar (such as bread or pasta). Your doctor or nurse should have discussed this with you previously.
3. If the hypoglycaemia comes back again take another 10 to 20 g sugar.
4. Speak to a doctor immediately if you are not able to control the hypoglycaemia or if it recurs.
Tell your relatives, friends and close colleagues the following:
If you are not able to swallow or if you are unconscious, you will require an injection of glucose or glucagon (a medicine which increases blood sugar). These injections are justified even if it is not certain that you have hypoglycaemia.
It is advisable to test your blood sugar immediately after taking glucose to check that you really have hypoglycaemia.
Apidra can be administered intravenously, which should be carried out by health care professionals. Instruction for intravenous administration
Apidra should be used at a concentration of 1 Unit/ml insulin glulisine in infusion systems with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for infusion with or without 40 mmol/l potassium chloride using coextruded polyolefin/polyamide plastic infusion bags with a dedicated infusion line. Insulin glulisine for intravenous use at a concentration of 1 Unit/ml is stable at room temperature for 48 hours.
After dilution for intravenous use, the solution should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. Never use the solution if it has become cloudy or contains particles; use it only if it is clear and colourless.
Apidra was found to be incompatible with Glucose 5% solution and Ringer?s solution and, therefore, must not be used with these solution fluids. The use of other solutions has not been studied.
Last updated on 24.08.2022
The following drugs also contain the active ingredient insulin glulisine. Consult your doctor about a possible substitute for Apidra 100 Units/ml solution for injection in a vial
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