Insulin glulisine (
Apidra) is a human
insulin analogue approved for the improvement of glycaemic control in adults, adolescents and children with
diabetes mellitus. It has similar binding properties, and is associated with a faster onset but similar level of
glucose disposal, to regular human
insulin (RHI).
Insulin glulisine and
insulin lispro have similar effects on
glucose levels.
Insulin glulisine is effective when compared to other short- and rapid-acting
insulins, demonstrating either noninferiority, no significant difference, or superiority in primary endpoints in studies involving patients with type 1 and
type 2 diabetes. It is more effective and has a faster onset and shorter duration of activity than RHI.
Insulin glulisine is as effective as
insulin lispro in patients with
type 1 diabetes; however, there is a need for further, well designed head-to-head comparisons with
insulin lispro in patients with
type 2 diabetes and with
insulin aspart in patients with type 1 or
type 2 diabetes to fully establish the place of
insulin glulisine in the management of diabetes.
Insulin glulisine has a flexible administration period, as it can be administered immediately before or after meals. Hypoglycaemia, a common risk with
insulins, occurs at a similar rate among recipients of
insulin glulisine to that seen with other
insulins. Thus,
insulin glulisine is an effective and well tolerated option for the treatment of patients with type 1 and
type 2 diabetes.