Key takeaways
Lantus (insulin glargine) and Apidra (insulin glulisine) are both insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but they have some key differences. Lantus is a long-acting insulin that is typically injected once daily and helps control blood sugar levels for about 24 hours. In contrast, Apidra is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and is usually taken before or right after meals to manage blood sugar spikes. Lantus is used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in adults and children, while Apidra is used for Type 1 diabetes in children aged 4 and older and for Type 2 diabetes in adults. Apidra can also be administered through an insulin pump or an IV injection in a hospital setting, whereas Lantus is only given as a subcutaneous injection. Both medications can cause low blood sugar and weight gain, but Apidra needs to be taken multiple times a day, which might be less convenient than the once-daily dosing of Lantus.
