Apidra SoloStar Pens

What are Apidra SoloSTAR Pens?

Apidra SoloSTAR Pens are disposable insulin pens pre-filled with Apidra. Apidra is the brand name of insulin glulisine, which is a rapid-acting insulin analog that is used during mealtime for the treatment of high blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes. It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) within 15 minutes before or 20 minutes after starting a meal. This medication comed in 3 mL pens and in a package of five.

What is it used for?

Apidra SoloSTAR Pens are used for the subcutaneous injection of insulin glulisine for the control of your blood sugar during and after meals. It is a man-made rapid-acting insulin, otherwise known as a mealtime or bolus insulin. Along with regular exercise, a healthy meal plan, and an intermediate- or long-acting insulin, this medicine is shown to be helpful in reducing blood sugar levels in adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes or adults with type 2 diabetes.

How does this insulin glulisine work?

Apidra, or insulin glulisine which is its generic name, is very similar in structure to naturally occurring human insulin and therefore it has a very similar mechanism of action in the when injected. In healthy people insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. Its main job in the body is to control blood sugar levels by promoting the absorption of sugar from the blood into the cells of the liver, fat and skeletal muscle. It also blocks the production of sugar in the liver and reduces the release of sugar back into the blood stream. This allows sugar to remain in the cells of you body to be used as energy to carry out all the basic functions of life. Insulin glulisine is a type of man-made insulin called a mealtime, or bolus insulin which is developed to help protect you against the blood sugar spiked seen after and during meals. It has a rapid onset of about 15 minutes and a duration of action of about four hours. This allows greater flexibility for your mealtimes, so you don’t have to wait a long time for your insulin to start working before eating. The pen is comes pre-filled and is disposable after it is finished. Each pen contains multiple doses of insulin glulisine and you can set your doses from 1 to 80 units in steps of one unit. Each pen contains multiple doses. Once opened, your pen can be used for up to 28 days unrefrigerated.

Important information

• Do not share injection pens, cartridges, needles or syringes with anyone even if the needle on the injection pen is changed
• Always attach a new needle before each use
• Do not select a dose and press the injection button without a needle attached
• Always perform the safety test before each injection
• If your injection is given to you by another person, they must take special caution to avoid any accidental needle injury and transmission of infection
• Never use your SoloSTAR pen if it is damaged or if you are not sure if it is working properly
• Always have a spare SoloSTAR pen just in case yours is damaged or lost

Warnings and Precautions

Do not take it:

• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Apidra
• When your blood sugar is too low
• Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• Have heart failure or other heart problems
• Are taking drugs called TZDs (thiazolidinediones)

   

Apidra is given by subcutaneous injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Injection sites should be changed within the same region from one injection to the next to help decrease the risk of lipodystrophy. Aprida is a rapid-acting mealtime insulin which means it should be given within 15 minutes before the start of a meal or within 20 minutes after you started the meal.