insulin glulisine vs insulin lispro
Side-by-side comparison of insulin glulisine and insulin lispro Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Apidra
Humalog
Apidra is a rapid-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It works quickly to lower blood sugar after meals.
Admelog is a rapid-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels. It is used to treat diabetes in adults and children.
Apidra is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels. This medicine helps to lower your blood sugar levels.
Admelog is used to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. This medicine helps your body use sugar from the food you eat.
Apidra is a type of insulin that works fast. It helps your body use sugar from the food you eat. This lowers the amount of sugar in your blood.
Admelog is a man-made insulin that works like the insulin your body should be making. It helps sugar move from your blood into your cells. This lowers your blood sugar levels.
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
- • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- • Edema peripheral (swelling in hands or feet)
- • Arthralgia (joint pain)
- • Common cold
- • Upper respiratory infection
- High blood sugar 1,527
- Low blood sugar 756
- High blood sugar 634
- Medicine not working 567
- Low blood sugar 445
- High blood sugar 38,181
- Wrong dose given 9,067
- Low blood sugar 8,760
- Medicine not working 8,065
- Vision problems 5,392
Never share your Apidra SoloStar pen with anyone else, even if you change the needle. Sharing pens can spread blood-borne diseases. Changes in your insulin regimen should be made carefully under medical supervision because it can cause hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Low potassium levels in your blood can occur and may be life-threatening. Watch for signs of heart failure if you are also taking thiazolidinediones (TZDs).
Never share your Admelog SoloStar pen or syringe with anyone else, even if you change the needle. Sharing can spread blood-borne diseases. Changes in your insulin plan can cause high or low blood sugar. Make these changes carefully with your doctor's help. Low blood sugar can be life-threatening. Watch your blood sugar closely.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy can harm both the mother and the baby. Discuss the risks and benefits of using Apidra with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy can harm both the mother and the baby. Discuss the risks and benefits of using Admelog with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
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How to Read This insulin glulisine vs insulin lispro Comparison
insulin glulisine is classified in the Rapid-Acting Insulin drug class, while insulin lispro sits within the Rapid-Acting Insulin class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, insulin glulisine has 3,929 submissions while insulin lispro has 69,465. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between insulin glulisine and insulin lispro — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.