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.
