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.
