Apidra Insulin (Glulisine) SoloSTAR Pens 100IU/mL 5 x 3 Pk

About Apidra Insulin SoloSTAR Pens

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Apidra Insulin (Glulisine) SoloSTAR Pens 100IU/mL 5 x 3 Pkis a fast-acting insulin that lowers blood sugar after meals pre-filled with an Aprida Insulin SoloSTAR pen. The pre-filled pen with Insulin glulisine is known by the brand name Apidra. Then, within 15 minutes of starting a meal or 20 minutes, after it has begun, it is injected subcutaneously (under the skin). This drug is sold as a package of 5 pens, each pen containing 3 mL Apidra. Apidra also comes packaged in Apidra Insulin Vials (Glulisine) – 10 mL 100 UI/mL

What is Apidra Insulin used for?

Use Apidra Insulin SoloSTAR Pens to administer insulin glulisine subcutaneously to manage your blood sugar levels before, during, and after meals. Apidra is a synthetic, rapid-acting insulin known as a bolus or lunchtime insulin. Apidra lower blood sugar levels in adults and children (6 years and older) with Type 1 diabetes or people with type 2 diabetes. Apidra Insulin should be used with regular exercise, a sound eating regimen, and an intermediate- or long-acting insulin.

How does this insulin glulisine work?

Apidra Insulin, or insulin glulisine, shares many structural similarities with naturally occurring human insulin, and it has a very similar mode of action when administered intravenously. The pancreas’ beta cells create insulin in healthy individuals. Naturally produced insulin helps in the absorption of blood sugar into the cells of the liver, fat, and skeletal muscle, thus regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally, it prevents the liver from producing sugar and lessens the sugar released back into the bloodstream. Apidra Insulin enables sugar to stay in your body’s cells, where sugar gets converted to energy to carry out all essential bodily activities. Bolus insulin, such as insulin glulisine, was created to shield you from blood sugar spikes before, during, and during meals. It starts working quickly (15 minutes or so), lasting around four hours. So that you don’t have to wait a long time for your insulin to start acting before eating, this gives you more flexibility concerning mealtimes.

The pen is pre-filled, and you must discard it whenever it runs out. You can adjust your doses from 1 to 80 units in the step of one unit, and each pen comes with multiple doses of insulin glulisine. Each pen contains multiple doses.

Each APIDRA Insulin SoloStar comes pre-filled with 3 ml insulin glulisine divided into 300 units. You can select a dose from 1 to 80 units in steps of 1 unit. After each injection, the pen plunger moves to the end of the cartridge when 300 units of insulin are given. Apidra Insulin is also available in Vials with 10 ml insulin glulisine and 10 mL 100 UI/mL. 

Apidra Insulin Storage

• Store any unopened APIDRA Insulin SoloStar in a refrigerator, 36°F–46°F (2°C–8°C)
• Discard the pen if the liquid is frozen.
• Do not store the Apidra Insulin SoloSTART pen in refrigerated condition after the first use
• Throw away the open pen after 28 days of first use, even if there is enough amount left in the pen
• Keep the used pen in a dry and cold area with a temperature below 25°C

How to take APIDRA Insulin SoloStar

Knowing how to take Apidra Insulin properly is crucial because you may need to administer numerous daily injections of this mealtime insulin. Never change your insulin dosage or injection schedule without talking to your doctor first. Always heed their advice.

Important information

• Never share injection pens, cartridges, needles, or syringes, even if the needle on the injection pen has been changed.
• Always attach a new needle before each usage.

• Without a needle attached, do not choose a dose and click the injection button.
• Conduct the safety check before each injection.
• If someone else administers your injection, they must exercise extreme caution to prevent infection and accidental needlestick injuries.
• Do not use your SoloSTAR pen if broken or not functioning correctly.
• Always keep a backup SoloSTAR pen for missing or misplaced pens.

How to use the Apidra Insulin SoloStar pen?

Step 1. Preparing for an Injection

• Check for the expiry date
• Take off the pen cap
• The pen is clean inside and outside

Step 2. Attaching the Needle

• Clean rubber seal with alcohol
• Take out a needle and remove its cover

Insert the needle into the pen (screw or push on)

Step 3. Doing a Safety Test

• Select a dose of 2 units on the dosage selector.
• Remove the needle cover.
• Hold the pen vertically with the pen facing upwards
• Now tap on the pen and press the injection to remove any air bubbles in pen. Excess insulin will flow out.

Step 4. Selecting your Dose

• Change the selector to the dose units your doctor has suggested
• You will not be able to turn the dosage selector past the number of units left in pen.
• Do not force the dosage selector to turn.

Step 5. Giving the Injection

• Select a new spot each time for injection. Insert the needle into your skin.

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• Press the injection button when ready to inject and count to 10. The number in the dose window will return to “0” as you inject. Discard the needle after use.

Apidra Insulin Side Effects

Common adverse effects may include:

• Hypoglycemia
• Less common adverse effects may include:
• Injection site reactions
• Lipodystrophy
• Hypokalemia
• Weight gain
• Edema
• Allergic reaction

Adverse Reaction of Apidra Insulin

Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is the most typical adverse reaction to Apidra Insulin and insulin therapy. Therefore, you should familiarise yourself with the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to handle them. Severe reduction in blood sugar can result in unconsciousness, seizures, temporary or permanent brain function issues, and even death.

Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion – Lipodystrophy is a disease that can result from the long-term use of Apidra Insulin. Repeated insulin injection can cause lipohypertrophy, which is the thickening of the fat tissue around the injection site, or lipoatrophy, which is the thinning of the fat tissue surrounding the injection site. To lower the danger of these skin site problems, always remember to alternate the locations where you inject insulin.

Hypokalemia – Apidra and all other insulin products alter potassium (K+) levels, which may result in hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can result in respiratory paralysis, cardiac arrhythmia, and even death if left untreated.

With insulin therapy, weight gain is also possible. This is possible because insulin is involved in anabolism, the process by which the body transforms simpler molecules into larger, more complex ones. In addition, insulin may decrease the amount of sugar excreted in the urine, contributing to weight gain.

Edema – Edema, or swelling brought on by fluid and sodium retention, might develop when you’re on insulin. It can happen everywhere on your body but is more noticeable on the legs, arms, ankles, hands, and feet.

Hypersensitivity and Allergic Reactions

Any type of insulin, including Apidra, can cause a severe, all-encompassing allergy, including anaphylaxis. If you start to get a rash all over your body, your heart starts to beat rapidly, you have difficulties breathing, or you start sweating, you may have a significant allergic reaction, often known as a full-body reaction. If you have any of these side effects, seek treatment right away.

What are Warnings and Precautions of Apidra Insulin?

Do not take Apidra Insulin SoloSTAR:

• When your blood sugar is very low
• If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in Apidra

Inform your doctor of all of your medical issues, especially if you:

• Have difficulties with the kidneys or liver
• Conceived, intend to conceive or are currently breastfeeding
• Experiencing heart failure or other cardiac issues
• Are using TZDs as a medication (thiazolidinediones)

Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Because your cells become more responsive to insulin while you are active, your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can be lowered more successfully. Take your medications regularly and follow up with your healthcare specialist.