Sanofi says Apidra (insulin glulisine rDNA origin injection) is to be used in regimens that include a longer-acting insulin or basal insulin analog such as Lantus. The company also said that Apidra cartridges would now be available for use with the insulin injection pen OptiClik. This reusable pen device is designed to help to ensure that diabetes patients get the correct dose of insulin.
Apidra has a more rapid onset of action and a shorter duration of action than regular human insulin, and offers people with diabetes greater mealtime dosing flexibility versus regular human insulin because they can take Apidra either before or after a meal. Apidra is also flexible for use in adults with diabetes whose BMIs range from lean to obese.
“Controlling mealtime blood sugar spikes is a crucial part of managing diabetes,” said Dr Richard Bergenstal, executive director of the International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet, Minneapolis. “Apidra is a welcome addition to the armamentarium of all healthcare professionals who treat adults with diabetes.”