Apidra Vs Humalog

[flash]

What's the difference in pumping Apidra vs Humalog ? Does one start or last longer than the other, is one supposed to be better at keeping one in control ?

[JediSkipdogg]

Supposedly it was recently pointed out by someone on here that Apidra is too only be in a pump for a max of 48 hours. In terms of comparing Apidra and Humalog for a pump I'd think they are the same. I personally think Novolog is the best in a pump and I've had the most success with it, which is why when I'm done with my last 200 units of Apidra I'm going back to Novolog.

[RLK]

Good question, flash. I've been wondering the same thing too. However, I won't try Apidra until my insurance company covers it, so I'm "stuck" with Humalog or Novolog.
While we're comparing Apidra and Humalog, can anyone add Novolog to the comparison? I've heard anecdotally that Novolog is faster than Humalog in terms of how quickly it begins working after a bolus is given, but Apidra is supposedly faster than either. Individual reactions play a role, but has anyone found this to be true?
Jedi, any idea why Apidra is only good in a pump for 48 hours? Temperature issues or contact with the plastic? I routinely use Humalog in a reservoir for ~6 days and haven't had any trouble.

[JediSkipdogg]

Here's what that wonderful long little pamplet they include with insulin vials says...actually, the following is from DailyMed: About DailyMed (http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=1930) and looks to be the same as that paper in the box....

"To minimize insulin degradation, infusion set occlusion, and loss of the preservative (m-cresol), the infusion sets (reservoir, tubing, and catheter) and the APIDRA in the reservoir should be replaced every 48 hours or less and a new infusion site should be selected. "

Of course I just looked up Novolog on the above site and it said the same thing. So I give up, lol.

[flash]

Jedi, why do you think Novolog is the best for the pump ?
Does it begin faster than Humalog, does it last longer ?
What's the story Jedi ............

Flash

[JediSkipdogg]

For me I just seemed to have more stable and predictable results on Novolog. Novolog also has the fasted initial peak of all three fast acting insulins. Apidra supposedly has the shorted duration, however, I've found that not true in my own experience. I just haven't had good luck with it. It works like Novolog and I'm sure with some pump tweaking I could get it to work fine, but it costs twice as much as Novolog (on my copay scale), so I think I'll pass.

[NoelD]

Kev, I go through a 300u res about every 4 days or so, and I haven't noticed any degredation on Apidra. I think they put that blurb in there to CTA (similar to "CYA", but T=their). I tried Novolog twice and got the same result. Works great for the first 12 hours, and after that, nothing. It just doesn't work or lower my BG at all. I know, it's very strange, but that's how it works in me. I have noticed Apidra is completely gone in 3 hours in my case, when Novolog works, it's 4.5 hours for me. I wish Novolog would work for me, because Apidra costs me double on the co-pay too, but I'd rather live than worry with $35 personally, and it's only $35 extra, so I don't worry about it...... I have not tried Humalog. I don't think I will either, well, because, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"....

[Lloyd]

What's the difference in pumping Apidra vs Humalog ? Does one start or last longer than the other, is one supposed to be better at keeping one in control ?

My doctor chose Apidra for me because it is supposed to have 40% fewer clogs when pumping and the shortest duration.

It seems to work well for me.

-Lloyd

[JediSkipdogg]

My doctor chose Apidra for me because it is supposed to have 40% fewer clogs when pumping and the shortest duration.

That's what my doc said as well, however...I never had clogs on Novolog or Humalog....and I think the shorter duration is too short as it causes me to have more lows, which may explain my 10 lows (under 50) in the past 3 weeks.

[Lloyd]

That's what my doc said as well, however...I never had clogs on Novolog or Humalog....and I think the shorter duration is too short as it causes me to have more lows, which may explain my 10 lows (under 50) in the past 3 weeks.

I don't understand why "too short" duration could case a low with a pump. Could you explain please?

-Lloyd

[JediSkipdogg]

I don't understand why "too short" duration could case a low with a pump. Could you explain please?

-Lloyd

Well, compared to Novolog it did. The problem is apidra has a longer time till it peaks. Let me first say my body is weird...food spikes extremely fast and then lingers in the body a long time. With that Apidra takes too long to cover the spike making me spike higher longer. Then it covers it fast once it catches up putting me in a fast downfall. Well, the problem is my slow digestion and this causes me to then run low until the food catches up later.

Essentially, what I would need to do is give the insulin say 10-20 minutes before eating to help with the spike and then put it on an extended bolus to help cover the long digestion process. The problem is, I was only given 2 vials of Apidra from my doctor for free, so not really enough to solve the problem. And since it costs twice as much as Novolog in terms of copay, I'll pass since I haven't seen a huge benefit to me for it.

[Lloyd]

Well, the problem is my slow digestion and this causes me to then run low until the food catches up later.

Essentially, what I would need to do is give the insulin say 10-20 minutes before eating to help with the spike and then put it on an extended bolus to help cover the long digestion process.

Thanks for explaining. Extended bolus is the first thing that came to my mind. Perhaps a combo bolus might also have worked.

Tweaking takes time, and you weren't given much.

My situation is not as complex.

So much to learn about the big D.

-Lloyd