Pricing
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Apidra SoloStar is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Insulin glulisine, like other insulins and insulin analogs, works mainly by regulating glucose metabolism. It lowers blood glucose in two ways: it stimulates glucose uptake by skeletal muscle and fat (the peripheral tissues), and it inhibits glucose production in the liver. Insulins also inhibit lipolysis and proteolysis, and they enhance protein synthesis.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Inject within 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal, into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Rotate injection sites within the same region to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Insulin glulisine should generally be used in regimens with an intermediate or long-acting insulin.
Dosage for other forms (2)
Individualize and adjust the dosage of insulin glulisine according to the route of administration, the person's metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results and the glycemic control goal. The dosage may also need changing when switching from another insulin, when physical activity changes, when other medicines are added or changed, when meal patterns change, when kidney or liver function changes, or during an acute illness.
Give it by continuous subcutaneous infusion using an insulin pump, in a region recommended in the pump manufacturer's instructions. Rotate infusion sites within the same region to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Do not dilute or mix insulins in external insulin pumps.
Intravenous Administration: Give it only under medical supervision, after diluting to a concentration of 0.05 to 1 unit/mL insulin glulisine in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, USP, using polyvinyl chloride infusion bags.
Side Effects
The side effects most often seen with Apidra (insulin glulisine) are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash and weight gain.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Never share an Insulin Glulisine injection pen between patients, even if the needle is changed. Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia can follow a change in the Insulin Glulisine regimen. Any change to a patient's insulin regimen (for example insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) should be made under close medical supervision, with blood glucose checked more often. Hypoglycemia may be life-threatening. Check glucose more often when there is a change in insulin dosage, coadministered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern or physical activity. Do the same in patients with renal impairment, hepatic impairment or hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia can also happen because of medication errors, since accidental mix-ups between insulin products do occur. Tell patients to check the insulin label before injection. Hypokalemia may be life-threatening. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk for hypokalemia and treat if indicated. Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions can be severe and life-threatening, with generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis. If this happens, stop Insulin Glulisine, monitor the patient and treat if indicated. Fluid retention and heart failure can occur with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Watch for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure occurs, consider reducing the dose of the TZD or stopping it. A malfunction of the Insulin Glulisine pump device can cause hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Monitor glucose, and if the pump malfunctions, give Insulin Glulisine by subcutaneous injection.
Contraindications
Don't give insulin glulisine while the patient is having a hypoglycemia episode. It must also not be used in anyone who is hypersensitive to insulin glulisine or to any of the excipients in the product.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Insulin Glulisine is Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans. Even so, the potential benefits may warrant use of the medicine in pregnant women despite the potential risks.
Nursing mothers: it is unknown whether insulin glulisine is excreted in human milk. Many drugs are excreted in human milk, so caution should be exercised when Insulin Glulisine is given to a nursing woman. Using Insulin Glulisine is compatible with breastfeeding, but women with diabetes who are breastfeeding may need their insulin doses adjusted.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Pediatric use: Subcutaneous injections of Insulin Glulisine have been shown to be safe and effective in children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years with type 1 diabetes. It has not been studied in children with type 1 diabetes who are younger than 4 years, or in children with type 2 diabetes. As in adults, the dose of Insulin Glulisine must be set for each child individually, based on their metabolic needs and frequent monitoring of blood glucose.
Geriatric use: In clinical trials (n=2408), Insulin Glulisine was given to 147 patients aged ≥65 years and 27 patients aged ≥75 years. Most of these elderly patients, a small group, had type 2 diabetes. The change in HbA1c values and the frequency of hypoglycemia did not differ by age. Even so, caution should be exercised when Insulin Glulisine is given to geriatric patients.
Renal impairment: Dose reduction may be needed.
Hepatic impairment: Dose reduction may be needed.
Overdose
Too much insulin can cause hypoglycemia, and when insulin glulisine is given intravenously it can also cause hypokalemia. A mild episode of hypoglycemia can usually be treated with oral glucose. The dose, meal pattern or exercise may also need adjusting.
More severe episodes, with coma, seizure or neurologic impairment, may be treated with intramuscular or subcutaneous glucagon, or with concentrated intravenous glucose. The person may need to keep taking carbohydrate and be watched for some time, because hypoglycemia can come back even after they seem to have recovered. Hypokalemia must be corrected appropriately.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep unopened Insulin Glulisine vials and cartridge systems in a refrigerator at 2°C-8°C, and protect them from light. Don't keep the insulin in the freezer, and don't let it freeze. If it has been frozen, discard it.
Unopened vials or cartridge systems that are not stored in a refrigerator must be used within 28 days. Opened vials must also be used within 28 days, whether or not they are refrigerated. If refrigeration is not possible, the vial you are using can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 28 days, away from direct heat and light, as long as the temperature is not greater than 25°C.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Apidra SoloStar 3 ml
What is Apidra SoloStar 3 ml SC Injection?
Apidra SoloStar 3 ml SC Injection is a medicine that contains Insulin Glulisine. It is made by Synovia Pharma PLC. It belongs to the Rapid Acting Insulin group of medicines.
What is Apidra SoloStar used for?
Apidra SoloStar is used for: Diabetes Mellitus.
What are the side effects of Apidra SoloStar?
The side effects most often seen with Apidra (insulin glulisine) are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash and weight gain.
Can I take Apidra SoloStar during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Insulin Glulisine is Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Apidra SoloStar?
Too much insulin can cause hypoglycemia, and when insulin glulisine is given intravenously it can also cause hypokalemia. A mild episode of hypoglycemia can usually be treated with oral glucose. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Apidra SoloStar?
Keep unopened Insulin Glulisine vials and cartridge systems in a refrigerator at 2°C-8°C, and protect them from light. Don't keep the insulin in the freezer, and don't let it freeze.
Can I take other medicines with Apidra SoloStar?
Some medicines can interact with Insulin Glulisine, for example: Clonidine Hydrochloride. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Apidra SoloStar?
Apidra SoloStar is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.