insulin glulisine at a glance
Medicine class
Rapid-acting insulin analogue
Licensed population
Adults, adolescents and children aged 6 years or older with diabetes requiring insulin
Administration
Subcutaneous injection or a compatible pump; intravenous administration is for healthcare professionals
Before use
Check the label and use only clear, colourless solution without visible particles
What is insulin glulisine used for?
Licensed use for the vial:
Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin in adults, adolescents and children aged 6 years or older.
How does insulin glulisine work?
Insulin glulisine activates insulin receptors, increasing glucose uptake by muscle and fat while reducing glucose production by the liver. After subcutaneous injection, it begins working faster and acts for less time than regular human insulin.
insulin glulisine preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 100 units/mL
How to take insulin glulisine
Use insulin glulisine exactly as taught by the diabetes team and in relation to food as directed. The vial is suitable for an insulin syringe with the corresponding unit scale or a compatible pump. Intravenous use is restricted to healthcare professionals.
Check the insulin name before every administration.
Inject into subcutaneous tissue using the technique demonstrated by the diabetes team.
Rotate injection or infusion sites and avoid lumpy or abnormal skin.
Do not massage the injection site.
Pump users should follow the insulin-specific pump instructions and keep an alternative delivery method available.
Do not use solution that is cloudy, coloured or contains visible particles.
insulin glulisine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hypoglycaemia, which may cause sweating, shaking, hunger, palpitations, dizziness, confusion or visual changes
- Injection-site reactions such as redness, swelling or itching
- Local allergic reactions
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypoglycaemia causing seizure, unconsciousness or inability to respond normally
- Generalised allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, widespread hives or facial or throat swelling
- Hyperglycaemia, ketosis or diabetic ketoacidosis, particularly after pump or infusion-set failure
- Unpredictable absorption from lipodystrophy or cutaneous amyloidosis at repeatedly used injection sites
insulin glulisine in pregnancy
Insulin can be used to treat diabetes during pregnancy, but specific pregnancy data for insulin glulisine are limited. Anyone planning pregnancy or already pregnant should have treatment reviewed by a specialist antenatal diabetes team because insulin needs can change and close glucose monitoring is important.
insulin glulisine while breastfeeding
Insulin glulisine can be used while breastfeeding. Insulin needs may change after birth and during breastfeeding, so specialist review and glucose monitoring remain important. Seek advice if the infant is unusually sleepy, pale, sweaty or shaky, or is not gaining weight as expected.
insulin glulisine interactions
Medicines and substances that alter glucose control may require closer monitoring and clinical review.
Other glucose-lowering medicines, ACE inhibitors, MAO inhibitors, fluoxetine, fibrates, salicylates or sulfonamide antibiotics
May strengthen glucose lowering and increase hypoglycaemia risk.
Corticosteroids, diuretics, thyroid hormones, sympathomimetics, some antipsychotics or hormonal contraceptives
May weaken glucose lowering and contribute to hyperglycaemia.
Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine or reserpine
May make hypoglycaemia warning symptoms less noticeable; some can also alter glucose lowering.
Common questions about insulin glulisine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is insulin glulisine a rapid-acting insulin?
Yes. It is a rapid-acting insulin analogue intended mainly to control meal-related rises in blood glucose.
Is it the same as regular human insulin?
No. It has equivalent glucose-lowering potency unit for unit but acts more rapidly and for a shorter period after subcutaneous injection.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.