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Compare Humalog vs. Apidra

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Humalog (insulin lispro) and Apidra (insulin glulisine) are both rapid-acting insulins used to control blood sugar in people with diabetes. Humalog can be used in children as young as 3 years old with Type 1 diabetes, while Apidra is approved for children 4 years and older. Humalog is typically injected within 15 minutes before or right after a meal, whereas Apidra can be injected within 15 minutes before or up to 20 minutes after starting a meal. Both medications are available in vials and prefilled pens, but Apidra can also be given through an IV injection in a hospital setting. Humalog and Apidra can be mixed with NPH insulin within the same syringes, but not with other insulins. Both medications have similar side effects, such as low blood sugar and weight gain, but Apidra has a slightly higher risk of causing low blood sugar in children.

Humalog (insulin lispro)
Apidra (insulin glulisine)
Humalog (insulin lispro)
Apidra (insulin glulisine)
Summary of Humalog vs. Apidra
Summary for Insulin
Prescription only
Humalog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It helps prevent and treat high blood sugar from meals. This medication lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar from your blood and into your body. Humalog (insulin lispro) is typically given as an injection under the skin. In certain situations, it's injected into the veins by a healthcare provider. Humalog (insulin lispro) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Summary for Insulin
Prescription only
Insulin glulisine is a rapid-acting insulin that's available as a vial (Apidra) and a pre-filled pen (Apidra Solostar). It's used to control blood sugar from meals for people with either Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Apidra (insulin glulisine) is given under the skin as either a quick injection or continuously through an insulin pump. It can also be given as an injection through the veins (IV) for people in the hospital. Side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and common cold symptoms.
Indications of Humalog vs. Apidra
Indications for

•Type 1 diabetes in adults and children

•Type 2 diabetes in adults

Indications for

•Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in people ages 4 years and older

•Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people ages 18 years and older
Pros and Cons of Humalog vs. Apidra
Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros

•Starts to work within 15 minutes to lower blood sugar levels

•Dose can be easily adjusted to make a treatment plan that's tailored to your specific needs

•Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use

•Can use at home after proper training

•Can use in children as young as 3 years old with Type 1 diabetes

Cons

•Given multiple times a day (before each meal)

•Must give as an injection

•Might be hard for some people to take properly

•Risk of low blood sugar

•Can cause weight gain

Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros

•Works within 15 minutes to lower blood sugar

•Available as a prefilled pen, which might be easier to use than the vial

•Can be used with some insulin pumps

•Can be mixed with NPH insulin (e.g., Novolin N), if instructed by your care team

Cons

•Raises risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels

•Given as an injection

•Might need to inject multiple times a day

•Might cause weight gain
Common Side Effects of Humalog vs. Apidra
Common Side Effects for
Type 1 diabetes:

•Flu-like symptoms (35%)

•Sore throat (33%)

•Runny nose (25%)

•Headache (30%)

•Pain (20%)

•Cough (17%)

•Infection (14%)

Type 2 diabetes:

•Headache (12%)

•Pain (11%)

•Infection (10%)

Common Side Effects for
Type 1 diabetes

•Common cold (11%)

•Low blood sugar (up to 7%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)

•Headache (7%) - children only

•Seizure from low blood sugar (6%) - children only

•Flu (4%)

Type 2 diabetes

•Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 11%)

•Common cold (8%)

•Swelling in the hands, ankles, or legs (8%)

•Flu (6%)

•Joint pain (6%)
Warnings of Humalog vs. Apidra
Common Side Effects for

•Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

•Low blood potassium levels

•Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications

•Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

Common Side Effects for

•Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies

•Risk of high and low blood sugar levels

•Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)

•Allergic reaction

•Low blood potassium levels

•Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure

•Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)
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Compare Humalog vs. Apidra

Key takeaways

Summary of Humalog vs. Apidra

Indications of Humalog vs. Apidra

Pros and Cons of Humalog vs. Apidra

Common Side Effects of Humalog vs. Apidra

Warnings of Humalog vs. Apidra

Prices with our coupons for Humalog vs. Apidra

Compare other Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1 drugs

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