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Compare Toujeo vs. Apidra

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

Key takeaways

Toujeo (insulin glargine) and Apidra (insulin glulisine) are both insulins used to manage both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but they have some key differences. Toujeo is a long-acting insulin that provides consistent blood sugar control for up to 36 hours and is typically injected once a day. In contrast, Apidra is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and is usually taken before or right after meals to control blood sugar spikes. Neither medication is available in a generic form yet, but Apidra is comes in both vials and prefilled pens and can also be used in an insulin pump. Apidra can be mixed with NPH insulin, but Toujeo cannot be mixed with any other insulins. Both medications can cause low blood sugar and weight gain, but Apidra has a higher risk of causing low blood sugar due to its rapid action. Additionally, Toujeo is suitable for children as young as 6 years old, whereas Apidra can be used in children starting at age 4.

  • Toujeo (insulin glargine)
    Apidra (insulin glulisine)
  • Toujeo (insulin glargine)
    Apidra (insulin glulisine)

  • Summary of Toujeo vs. Apidra

    Summary for Insulin
    Prescription only

    Toujeo SoloStar and Toujeo Max SoloStar are a pair of brand names for insulin glargine. This medication is a long-acting insulin that's used for diabetes in adults and children. It's a more concentrated version of insulin glargine containing 300 units/mL. It comes as prefilled pens that you use for once-daily injections under the skin. Side effects include common cold symptoms and low blood sugar.

    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 Toujeo vs. Apidra

    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes
    •Type 2 diabetes
    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 Toujeo vs. Apidra

    Pros and Const for Insulin
    Pros
    •Long-lasting insulin that provides consistent, all-day blood sugar control
    •Given once a day
    •Available as a prefilled pen
    •Good choice for people who need high doses of long-acting insulin
    •Can use in children as young as 6 years old
    Cons
    •Must inject the medication under the skin
    •Might be difficult for some people to administer correctly
    •Can cause weight gain and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Can't be mixed with other insulins
    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 Toujeo vs. Apidra

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar
    •Common cold symptoms
    •Infection involving the nose, throat, and lungs
    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 Toujeo vs. Apidra

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of infections with pen sharing
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling and heart failure when used with certain diabetes medications
    •Allergic reactions
    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)

  • Prices with our coupons for Toujeo vs. Apidra

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    Learn more about Apidra

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