Prescription medication · Rapid-Acting Insulin
insulin glulisine
Also sold as Apidra. Apidra is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 9,944
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 9
- InteractionsFew interactions
- $8.17
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
insulin glulisine (Apidra) is a prescription Rapid-Acting Insulin, reported less often than most tracked drugs (9,944 FDA reports), with 9 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
insulin glulisine (Apidra) is a prescription Rapid-Acting Insulin. Apidra is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.
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.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$8.17/unit
Generic Available
No
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Apidra is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.
Common side effects
Upper respiratory infection, Nasopharyngitis (common cold), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Key warnings
Never share your Apidra SoloStar pen with anyone else, even if you change the needle.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from insulin glulisine's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Apidra is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. You can inject it into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Change your injection site each time to avoid skin problems. Apidra can also be given through an insulin pump.
This is a plain-language summary of insulin glulisine's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
This is a plain-language summary of insulin glulisine's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Apidra, take your next dose as soon as you remember, making sure to take it close to mealtime. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
This is a plain-language summary of insulin glulisine's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store unopened Apidra in the refrigerator, protected from light, until the expiration date. Once opened, the 10 mL vial and the SoloStar pen can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days. Do not freeze.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 9,944 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for insulin glulisine, by number of reports
- High blood sugar
High blood sugar
1,527 reports
- Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar
756 reports
- High blood sugar
High blood sugar
634 reports
- Low blood sugar 445
Low blood sugar
445 reports
- Feeling dizzy 401
Feeling dizzy
401 reports
- Feeling unwell 392
Feeling unwell
392 reports
- Difficulty breathing 383
Difficulty breathing
383 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach 369
Feeling sick to your stomach
369 reports
- Throwing up 335
Throwing up
335 reports
- Sudden kidney damage 304
Sudden kidney damage
304 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for insulin glulisine each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where insulin glulisine sits
insulin glulisine has more FDA adverse-event reports than 39% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is insulin glulisine; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 9,944 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2005–2025.
Total Reports
9,944
Reports Mentioning Death
795
8.0% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
4,001
Top Indication
Diabetes Mellitus
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED | 1,526 |
| 2 | HYPOGLYCAEMIA | 756 |
| 3 | HYPERGLYCAEMIA | 634 |
| 5 | BLOOD GLUCOSE DECREASED | 445 |
| 6 | DIZZINESS | 401 |
| 7 | MALAISE | 392 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 383 |
| 9 | NAUSEA | 370 |
| 10 | VOMITING | 335 |
| 11 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 304 |
| 12 | FATIGUE | 297 |
| 13 | ASTHENIA | 293 |
| 14 | DIARRHOEA | 279 |
| 15 | PAIN | 271 |
| 16 | FALL | 269 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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).
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with APIDRA Drugs that May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics.
Mechanism: Fluoxetine can increase the risk of low blood sugar when taken with insulin.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dose and you should check your blood sugar more often.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with APIDRA Drugs that May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics.
Mechanism: Pramlintide can increase the risk of low blood sugar when taken with insulin.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dose and you should check your blood sugar more often.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with APIDRA Drugs that May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics.
Mechanism: Octreotide can increase the risk of low blood sugar when taken with insulin.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dose and you should check your blood sugar more often.
Drugs that May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of APIDRA Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, phenothiazine derivatives, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones.
Mechanism: Albuterol can cause blood sugar levels to rise, which counteracts the effect of the insulin.
What to do: You should monitor your blood sugar levels more often as your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dose.
Drugs that May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of APIDRA Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. Drugs that May Blunt Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine. ( 7 ) Antiadrenergic Drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine): Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent.
Mechanism: Clonidine can change how insulin affects your blood sugar and can also hide the warning signs of low blood sugar.
What to do: Watch your blood sugar levels carefully because you might not feel the usual symptoms if your blood sugar drops too low.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What should I do if my blood sugar is too high?
Can I mix Apidra with other insulins?
How often should I check my blood sugar?
What are the symptoms of low blood sugar?
What should I do if I have low blood sugar?
Can other medicines affect Apidra?
What if my insulin pump malfunctions?
How long does Apidra last in my system?
Can I travel with Apidra?
What do I do with used needles?
What are the common side effects of insulin glulisine?
Does insulin glulisine interact with other medications?
What drug class is insulin glulisine?
Is insulin glulisine safe during pregnancy?
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
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Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for insulin glulisine
The FDA label for insulin glulisine (sold under brand names such as Apidra) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Rapid-Acting Insulin class. Apidra is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Upper respiratory infection, Nasopharyngitis (common cold), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 9,944 voluntary reports. The database also lists 9 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 25, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages