Humalog vs. Apidra for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

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)

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Apidra

(insulin glulisine)

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Summary for Humalog

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).

Indications for Humalog

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Humalog

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

Common Side Effects for Humalog

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%)

Warnings for Humalog

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)

Summary for Apidra

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 for Apidra

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 for Apidra

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 for Apidra

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 for Apidra

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)