Apidra

[kel4han]

Is Apidra different from the other fast acting insulins like Novolog? I keep reading that it helps minimize the post meal spike. Why would it be any better than others? Success stories? I have major problems w/ the spike but Novolog peaks for me it seems at hour 3, lasting 5 hours. Does the Apidra really only last 2-3 hours?

[JediSkipdogg]

It's a trial and error thing. The same with Novolog and Humalog. All 3 are basically the same thing and just comprised of different formulas. I know people that have had only 1 of the 3 work for them. I know people that they all work, but exactly the same. It's a trial type thing that if there's no difference in insurance coverage I recommend trying yourself.

[jeggeman31]

Is Apidra different from the other fast acting insulins like Novolog?


Out of Apidra, Novolog and Humalog Apridra works the best for me.

Humalog Took a while to work, and did not last that long
Novolog started working faster and lasted a little longer than Humalog
Apidra works way faster than the other 2, and seems to last longer.

[Cyborg]

I just tried a whole vial of Apidra and came to the conclusion that I like my Novolog better. You can probably get a free vial from your Endo to try out...

[jen_slc]

You can probably get a free vial from your Endo to try out...This is what I did. I didn't ask for it, I wasn't even interested in trying it, but my endo suggested it one day and gave me 2 free vials and I've been hooked ever since! Everyone's different, so all you can do is try it out for yourself and see how it works. The rapid acting insulins work the same way in me as jeggeman. Apidra, Novolog and Humalog are all classed as rapid-acting insulins, but there are 1-2 differences in their amino acid sequence that may give them slightly different action profiles:

Humalog = generic name 'lispro' = a lysine and a proline are reversed from the "normal" insulin structure

Novolog = generic name 'aspart' = a proline is substituted with aspartic acid

Apidra = generic name 'glulisine' = an asparagine is replaced by lysine and a different lysine is replaced by glutamic acid

[Injecto]

What is Apidra? What does it do?

[NoelD]

I use it because:

1.) Novolog does absolutely nothing for me. Might as well inject water.
2.) Humalog has a nasty tail for me.
3.) Apidra gets into me and is working within 10 minutes. Peaks in 2 hours, gone at 3 to 3.5 hours.

Only down side, is my resistence to it is higher than any other I have tried. 1:10 BG Sensitivity sucks. 1:5 carb sensitivity sucks too.

[jen_slc]

What is Apidra? What does it do?Apidra is the latest rapid-acting insulin analog to be approved for blood sugar control in T1 and T2 individuals. I believe it came out in 2004? but I could be wrong about that. It's produced by Sanofi-Aventis, the same giant that produces Lantus, a long-acting insulin. Obviously they wanted to get into the rapid-acting insulin market too. :wink: The first I'd ever heard of Apidra was here on this forum, sometime last year. It was only a few months ago that my doc even mentioned it to me. Like I mentioned above, it does the same thing as Humalog and Novolog; there are just slight structural differences between the three of them that may produce different action profiles among all of us. The anecdotal evidence I hear, based on stories I've heard from other diabetics, including my endo, is that Apidra tends to work a bit faster and is gone from your system/finished working faster than the other 2 analogs, Nov and Hum. But we're all different. I do love its speed and the way it works in my body and its ability to keep my post meal spikes down - that was nearly impossible for me before and those spikes always made me feel so bad.

[DanG]

I do love its speed and the way it works in my body and its ability to keep my post meal spikes down - that was nearly impossible for me before and those spikes always made me feel so bad.

"spike" and "tail" - are these the same?
Are you referring to the length of time that the prime action of the insulin is evident in your system? Or, is "spike" and/or "tail" referring to insulin caused hypo effect?

I was thinking that "tail" refferred to the length and type of peak, i.e. really sharp peak and fast, or shallow peak and looong drawn out effectiveness.

As I posted in another thread here, I am thinking humalog is acting in me for many hours after I take it - I mean, like 8 hours later it has run out. I am sure the literature does not show this, but, my experience is no real peak with humalog. I can take 12 units for lunch 45 minutes prior to eating, and have no hypo effects at all. And, then eating no more than breakfast or supper, I am at 250+ prior to dinner. Eat an equal loaded dinner using 5 units and see 150 prior to sleep and lantus. I am thinking that humalog is hanging around a looong time and acting without any real peak in my system. I am thinking the apidra may be a nice change of pace.

Someone find a free sample and mail it to me to try... :)

[JediSkipdogg]

"spike" and "tail" - are these the same?
Are you referring to the length of time that the prime action of the insulin is evident in your system? Or, is "spike" and/or "tail" referring to insulin caused hypo effect?

I was thinking that "tail" refferred to the length and type of peak, i.e. really sharp peak and fast, or shallow peak and looong drawn out effectiveness.


Spike is the peak of the insulin. This is where the insulin takes most effect.

The tail is referred to as the end action of the insulin. Basically where the insulin is almost completely exhausted, but yet still trails in the body a little.

A general though, very general, is that from injection to spike is where 50% of the insulin is used. This length of time is generally 60-90 minutes. Then the tail is where the last bit of insulin is used, generally the last 10% and will be basically hours 3-5 after injection.

Does that make sense? If not, I can find an insulin chart and graph it out for you.

[DanG]

Does that make sense? If not, I can find an insulin chart and graph it out for you.

Thanks for clarifying with good explanation.

Further question - does the spike and tail differ in each individual? I seem to find no spike action - especially for my 12 units humalog at lunch. But, that 12 units seems to have a looonger tail than the literature seems to indicate. I am theorizing... Can that be so? Can the spike disappear in me and instead manifest itself as a loooong tail?

My breakfast is 5 units, lunch is 12 units, supper is 5 units, lantus is 14 units. I am theorizing that a tail is hanging on for loooong time and messing with me. I can drop 100 points overnight and am wondering if that is more a tail function than a lantus function.

[lilituc]

Further question - does the spike and tail differ in each individual? I seem to find no spike action - especially for my 12 units humalog at lunch. But, that 12 units seems to have a looonger tail than the literature seems to indicate. I am theorizing... Can that be so? Can the spike disappear in me and instead manifest itself as a loooong tail?

I firmly believe that action can vary by individual. What you're describing could also be caused by a high level of anti-insulin hormones. You may want to consider being tested for them.

[DanG]

I firmly believe that action can vary by individual. What you're describing could also be caused by a high level of anti-insulin hormones. You may want to consider being tested for them.

What does that testing involve?
And, what is the solution?
Thanks.

[NoelD]

Works like a champ for me.

[BriOnH]

Humalog = generic name 'lispro' = a lysine and a proline are reversed from the "normal" insulin structure

Novolog = generic name 'aspart' = a proline is substituted with aspartic acid

Apidra = generic name 'glulisine' = an asparagine is replaced by lysine and a different lysine is replaced by glutamic acid

Do you know if the amino acid switches occur at the active site of the enzyme Jen?

[lilituc]

What does that testing involve?
And, what is the solution?
Thanks.

I think it's just a blood test. The only treatment I know if is to go on the pump, which apparently releases the insulin in a pattern that doesn't allow the body to make enough anti-insulin hormones, but that doesn't mean there aren't others. It might help to try different insulins.

[Aftiel]

My Endo gave me a free bottle on my last visit. I have not tried it out yet, but I might have to in order to see how it does with after meal spikes.

- Aftiel

[belyro]

I just found out from my CDE that Apidra will likely be available in Canada in Fall of 2007, for those Canadians who are interested.

[Jan2306]

Cyborg; Why do you like Novlog better. I just started pumping a week ago and decided to tr Apidra. Was on Novolog pen.