Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
Rapid-acting Insulin Analogue

Insulin Glulisine

Brand names: Apidra

Insulin glulisine is a rapid-acting recombinant insulin analogue used at mealtimes to control postprandial glucose in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It activates the insulin receptor to drive glucose uptake into muscle and fat and inhibit hepatic glucose production; amino-acid substitutions reduce self-association so it is absorbed rapidly after subcutaneous injection.

Prescribing in practice

  • Its rapid onset means hypoglycaemia can occur soon after dosing if a meal is delayed or missed, so it is given just before or shortly after eating.
  • Use as the bolus component alongside a basal insulin in a basal-bolus regimen, rotating injection sites.
  • Match the timing of the dose closely to carbohydrate intake to avoid post-meal highs and inter-meal lows.

Monitoring

Monitor capillary blood glucose around meals and HbA1c, titrating the mealtime dose to carbohydrate intake and glycaemic response.

Counselling the patient

  • Inject immediately before eating and do not give a dose if you are not going to eat.
  • Keep fast-acting glucose to hand to treat hypoglycaemia promptly.
  • Rotate injection sites and never share pens or needles.

Evidence & guidelines

Rapid-acting insulin analogues are standard mealtime therapy in basal-bolus regimens within UK diabetes practice.

Reference: NICE NG17 (Type 1 DM); MHRA Insulin Safety Alert; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Drugs
Pathways