home > drugs a-z list > apidra (insulin glulisine [rdna origin] inj) drug center > apidra (insulin glulisine [rdna origin] inj) drug - consumer missed dose

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other insulin products (e.g., regular, NPH), oral diabetes medicine (e.g., glyburide, pioglitazone), ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril), clonidine, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), danazol, disopyramide, estrogens and progestins (including birth control pills), fibrates (e.g., clofibrate, gemfibrozil), fluoxetine, guanethidine, isoniazid, lithium, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), niacin, pentamidine, pentoxifylline, propoxyphene, protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir), anti-psychotic drugs (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine or atypical anti-psychotics such as clozapine, olanzapine), quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin), reserpine, salicylates (e.g., aspirin), somatropin, sulfa antibiotics (e.g., sulfamethoxazole), sympathomimetic drugs (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine), thyroid medicine, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).

Beta-blocker medications (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs.

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that could affect your blood sugar. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: shakiness, rapid heartbeat, unexplained sweating, loss of consciousness.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

It is recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand diabetes and all the important aspects of its treatment, including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medications, and getting regular eye, foot and medical exams.

Keep all medical appointments. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood counts) should be performed periodically to monitor for side effects and response to therapy. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Wear or carry identification stating that you have diabetes and are using this drug. See Medical Alert section.

MISSED DOSE: It is very important to follow your insulin regimen exactly. Do not miss any doses of insulin. Discuss specific instructions with your doctor now in case you miss a dose of insulin in the future.

STORAGE: It is best to refrigerate the unopened vial/cartridge/pen between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Discard the insulin if it has been frozen. Unopened insulin may also be stored at room temperature below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), but in that case it must be discarded after 28 days.

Opened vials may be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Opened cartridges with the delivery device attached should not be refrigerated but should be kept at room temperature. Do not store the delivery device in the refrigerator.

Opened pens should not be refrigerated but should be kept at room temperature.

When stored at room temperature, opened containers should be kept below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), away from direct heat and light. Discard all opened containers of insulin glulisine 28 days after opening.

If using this drug in an insulin pump, do not store this drug in the pump for more than 48 hours. Doing so may lead to ineffective therapy and high blood sugars. Do not expose the insulin in your pump to direct sunlight or temperatures above 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C).

Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised August 2010 Copyright(c) 2010 First DataBank, Inc.