| Diabetes Mellitus
Apidra vs Afrezza - (Insulin Human) Inhalation Powder
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for diabetes mellitus.Deep comparison between: Apidra vs Afrezza with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsAfrezza has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Apidra based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Afrezza but not Apidra, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Apidra
Afrezza
At A Glance
SC injection
With meals
Rapid-acting insulin analog
Oral inhalation
At each meal
Rapid-acting insulin
Indications
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Diabetes Mellitus
Dosing
Diabetes Mellitus Inject SC within 15 minutes before a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm; generally use with an intermediate or long-acting insulin.
Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion (Insulin Pump) Administer by CSII using an insulin pump per manufacturer instructions; change reservoir at least every 48 hours; do not dilute or mix with other insulins in the pump.
Intravenous Administration Administer only under medical supervision; dilute to 0.05-1 unit/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection using polyvinyl chloride infusion bags.
Diabetes Mellitus Insulin-naive patients: 4 units inhaled at the beginning of each meal; patients switching from subcutaneous mealtime insulin convert per table (up to 3 units -> 4 units, 4-5 units -> 8 units, 6-7 units -> 12 units, >=8 units -> 16 units); adjust dose based on metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring, and glycemic control goal.
Contraindications
- During episodes of hypoglycemia
- Known hypersensitivity to insulin glulisine or any of the excipients in APIDRA
- Episodes of hypoglycemia
- Chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD due to risk of acute bronchospasm
- Previous severe hypersensitivity reaction to any regular human insulin product or any inactive ingredient in AFREZZA
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=5%) Nasopharyngitis, hypoglycemia, upper respiratory tract infection, influenza, peripheral edema, arthralgia, headache
Serious Severe hypoglycemia, anaphylaxis and generalized allergic reactions, hypokalemia, lipodystrophy, worsening of diabetic retinopathy, acute painful peripheral neuropathy
Postmarketing Medication errors with long-acting insulins, localized cutaneous amyloidosis, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia associated with injection into amyloidosis sites
Most common (>=2%) Cough, throat pain or irritation, headache, diarrhea, productive cough, fatigue, nausea
Serious Acute bronchospasm, hypoglycemia, decline in pulmonary function, lung cancer, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypersensitivity reactions
Postmarketing Bronchospasm
Pharmacology
Rapid-acting human insulin analog; lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat and inhibiting hepatic glucose production, with more rapid onset and shorter duration of activity than regular human insulin when given subcutaneously.
Insulin lowers blood glucose in adult patients with diabetes mellitus by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake by skeletal muscle and fat and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production; it also inhibits lipolysis in adipocytes, inhibits proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Apidra
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
Afrezza
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Apidra
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (1/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Afrezza
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (6/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Apidra
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Afrezza
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (1/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Apidra.
$99/momo
Afrezza Patient Direct ProgramCommercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.