Apidra (insulin glulisine) - Sanofi Canada
Apidra (insulin glulisine) - Sanofi Canada
Apidra (insulin glulisine) - Sanofi Canada
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PART III: CONSUMER INFORMATION<br />
APIDRA ® VIALS<br />
<strong>insulin</strong> <strong>glulisine</strong> (rDNA origin)<br />
This leaflet is part III of a three-part “Product<br />
Monograph” published when APIDRA was approved<br />
for sale in <strong>Canada</strong> and is designed specifically for<br />
Consumers. This leaflet is a summary and will not<br />
tell you everything about APIDRA. Contact your<br />
health professional if you have any questions about<br />
the drug.<br />
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION<br />
What the medication is used for:<br />
APIDRA [<strong>insulin</strong> <strong>glulisine</strong> (rDNA origin)] is an<br />
antidiabetic agent (short-acting recombinant human<br />
<strong>insulin</strong> analogue), used to reduce high blood sugar in<br />
adults and children (6 years or older) with diabetes<br />
mellitus.<br />
What it does:<br />
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a<br />
large gland that lies near the stomach. This hormone<br />
is necessary for the body's correct use of food,<br />
especially sugar. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas<br />
does not make enough <strong>insulin</strong> to meet your body's<br />
needs or when your body cannot use properly the<br />
<strong>insulin</strong> you normally produce.<br />
When your body does not make enough <strong>insulin</strong>, you<br />
need an external source of <strong>insulin</strong>. That is why you<br />
must take <strong>insulin</strong> injections. APIDRA is similar to<br />
the <strong>insulin</strong> made by your body.<br />
APIDRA has a rapid onset of action and a short<br />
duration of about 4 hours. APIDRA should normally<br />
be used with a longer-acting <strong>insulin</strong> to maintain<br />
adequate blood sugar. APIDRA can also be used with<br />
oral drugs to reduce blood sugar.<br />
You have been instructed to test your blood and/or<br />
your urine regularly for glucose (sugar); it is<br />
especially important to test even more often when<br />
changing <strong>insulin</strong>s or dosing schedule. If your blood<br />
tests consistently show above- or below-normal<br />
glucose levels, or your urine tests consistently show<br />
the presence of glucose, your diabetes is not properly<br />
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ<br />
controlled and you must let your health professional<br />
know.<br />
When it should not be used:<br />
You should not take APIDRA if you are allergic to<br />
this drug or to any ingredient in the formulation or<br />
component of the container.<br />
What the medicinal ingredient is:<br />
The active ingredient in APIDRA is <strong>insulin</strong> <strong>glulisine</strong>,<br />
(rDNA origin).<br />
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:<br />
The nonmedicinal ingredients are m-cresol,<br />
polysorbate 20, sodium chloride, trometamol, water,<br />
and hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for pH<br />
adjustment.<br />
What dosage forms it comes in:<br />
APIDRA is a solution for injection (100 U/mL)<br />
available in the following package size:<br />
10-mL vials<br />
It is also available in:<br />
-3-mL Cartridges, package of 5 (for use only with<br />
ClikSTAR and Autopen 24 * )<br />
-3-mL SoloSTAR (pre-filled disposable pen),<br />
package of 5<br />
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS<br />
Serious Warnings and Precautions<br />
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the most<br />
common adverse effect of <strong>insulin</strong>, including<br />
APIDRA.<br />
• Blood glucose (blood sugar) monitoring is<br />
recommended for all patients with diabetes.<br />
• Uncorrected hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) or<br />
hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) reactions can<br />
cause loss of consciousness, coma, or death.<br />
• Any change of <strong>insulin</strong> should be made cautiously<br />
*<br />
Registered trade-mark of Owen Mumford Limited, used<br />
under license.<br />
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