Insulin glulisine: a review of its use in the management of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

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.