insulin glulisine
Brand names: Apidra
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 5,809 FDA adverse event reports.
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
Death-Related Reports
795
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 |
| 4 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 567 |
| 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 |
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.
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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Other drugs grouped near insulin glulisine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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bromocriptine
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Medication Guides
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Common Drug Interactions
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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 5,809 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.
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