Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each)

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) is used to improve blood sugar control in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is a fast-acting type of insulin that helps to lower blood sugar levels after meals and reduce the chances of developing serious complications of diabetes.

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) is normally prescribed along with a long-acting type of insulin or other diabetes medicines. Your doctor or nurse will teach you the correct way of injecting it under the skin. It should be taken 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. It is only part of a treatment program that should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight reduction as advised by your doctor.

Check your blood sugar levels regularly, keep track of your results and share them with your doctor. This is very important to work out the correct dose of the medicine for you.

The most common side effects of this medicine include hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, itching, rash, and upper respiratory tract infections. To prevent these, it is important to always inject the correct dose of medicine, have regular meals (do not skip), and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.

Do not use this medicine when you have low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney, liver, or heart problems before starting treatment. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using it.

Diabetes

Your doctor or nurse will guide you how to use this medicine.

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) is fast-acting insulin which starts working within 10-20 minutes after injecting. It works similar to the insulin produced by the body. Insulin facilitates reuptake of glucose in muscle and fat cells and also blocks the release of glucose from the liver.

Q: What if you forget to take Apidra Solution for Injection?
A: If you have missed a dose of Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each), your blood sugar level may become too high (hyperglycemia). Check your blood sugar and then take the next dose accordingly.

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) helps to control blood sugar level and avoid long-term complications.

You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and take your other diabetes medicines along with Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each).

Take it 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Injection sites must be rotated to prevent hard lumps from developing at one site.

Injection below the skin of the abdomen results in faster absorption than other injection sites.

Do not use it if the preparation is no longer clear and colorless or if it contains particles.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) is a common side effect. Monitor your blood sugar level regularly.

Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you in case you experience hypoglycemia symptoms such as cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremors, weakness, and anxiety.

Opened vials/cartridges stay good at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, while unopened vials must be placed in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C).

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) helps to control blood sugar level and avoid long-term complications.

You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and take your other diabetes medicines along with Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each).

Take it 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) is a common side effect. Monitor your blood sugar level regularly.

Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you in case you experience hypoglycemia symptoms such as cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremors, weakness, and anxiety.

Injection sites must be rotated to prevent hard lumps from developing at one site.

Injection below the skin of the abdomen results in faster absorption than other injection sites.

Opened vials/cartridges stay good at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, while unopened vials must be placed in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C).

Do not use it if the preparation is no longer clear and colorless or if it contains particles.

Q. I am taking pioglitazone for diabetes. Can I take Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) with it?

You have to be extra careful if you are planning to take both pioglitazone and Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each). Consult your doctor first before taking any other medicine. The doctor will suggest if you can safely take Apidra with pioglitazone and if you would need regular follow-up. This is because Pioglitazone can cause fluid retention in your body, especially when used in combination with insulin. You may develop symptoms of heart failure like edema, swelling of hands and feet, weight gain, breathlessness, etc. Also if you already have heart failure, it may get aggravated.

Q. I started using Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) recently and was told to not inject into the same spot over and over again. Why?

It is correct that you should not use the same spot again, as it can cause changes in the fatty tissue just under the skin. It can either cause lipodystrophy or lipohypertrophy. Lipodystrophy means abnormal changes in the distribution of body fat. It includes lipohypertrophy (thickening of adipose tissue) and lipoatrophy (thinning of adipose tissue), and may affect insulin absorption. Rotate insulin injection or infusion sites within the same region to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy.

Q. What if I accidentally inject Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) into a muscle?

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) contains a fast-acting insulin. Injecting Apidra into a muscle would make its absorption even more rapid. As a result, the chance of having a serious episode of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar would increase. Therefore, you should inject the insulin just beneath the skin by pinching up some skin and fat.

Q. I have been taking metoprolol for high blood pressure for a long time. Do I need to be careful about anything if I have started glulisine now?

Yes, you need to be careful because symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) like increased heart rate may not be noticed by you. Keep a regular check on your blood sugar and consult your doctor if the problem persists.

Q. Can Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) be stopped once started?

It depends on whether you have type I diabetes mellitus (body does not produce insulin) or type II (body does not respond to insulin). For patients with type I external source of insulin is the only treatment available which cannot be stopped, as your body does not produce sufficient insulin. But for patients with type II diabetes mellitus, the doctor may stop Apidra if your blood sugar levels are well controlled with exercise, healthy diet and other diabetes pills. However, do not stop taking it on your own without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition.

Q. Can Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) cause hypoglycemia?

Yes, Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). Symptoms of hypoglycemia include nausea, headache, irritability, hunger, sweating, dizziness, fast heart rate and feeling anxious or shaky. It happens more often if you miss or delay your food, drink alcohol, over-exercise or take other antidiabetic medicine along with it. So, regular monitoring of the blood sugar level is important. Always carry some sugary candies, glucose, glucon-D or fruit juice with you.

Q. What class of drug is Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each)?

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) belongs to the class of antidiabetic medications. It is a man-made version of insulin which is prescribed in diabetic adults and children of age 1 year and above. This medicine is used to help improve blood sugar levels and glycemic control.

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level)

Allergic reaction

Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Lipodystrophy (skin thickening or pits at the injection site)

Itching

Rash

Upper respiratory tract infection

Alcohol:UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each).

Pregnancy:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving:CAUTION

Your ability to drive may be affected if your blood sugar is too low or too high. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney:CAUTION

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended for dose adjustment.

Liver:CAUTION

Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Apidra 100IU Cartridge (3ml Each) may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Frequent and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is advised.

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Nolte MS. Pancreatic hormones and antidiabetic drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 733.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 721.
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