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

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)

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Apidra

(insulin glulisine)

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Summary for Toujeo

Prescription only

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

Indications for Toujeo

Pros and Cons for Toujeo

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 under the skin
Might be hard for some people to administer correctly
Has a risk of causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Might cause weight gain
Can't mix with other insulins

Common Side Effects for Toujeo

Warnings for Toujeo

Risk of infections with pen sharing
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low potassium levels
Swelling and heart failure when used with certain diabetes medications
Allergic reactions

Summary for Apidra

Prescription only

Apidra (insulin glulisine) is a fast-acting (or rapid-acting) insulin. It's used to control blood sugar from meals for people with either Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D). This insulin comes in vials (Apidra) and prefilled pens (Apidra Solostar). It's injected under the skin within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. It can also be given continuously under the skin through an insulin pump. And in the hospital, it can be given as an infusion into a vein (IV). Side effects include low blood sugar and cold symptoms.

Indications for Apidra

Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

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

Cons

Given as an injection
Might need to inject multiple times a day because it's used at mealtimes
Has a risk of low blood sugar and weight gain

Common Side Effects for Apidra

Type 1 diabetes:

Common cold (11%)
Low blood sugar (7%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)
Flu (4%)

Type 2 diabetes:

Upper respiratory tract infection (11%)
Common cold (8%)
Swelling in the hands, ankles, or legs (8%)
Flu (6%)
Joint pain (6%)
High blood pressure (4%)

Warnings for Apidra

Don't share Apidra SoloStar pens, syringes, or needles
Risk of too high or too low blood sugar with changes to your insulin regimen
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Allergic reaction
Low potassium levels
Fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when used with certain diabetes medications
High blood sugar or buildup of ketones if insulin pump isn't working properly