| Diabetes Mellitus
Apidra vs Humulin R U-500
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for diabetes mellitus.Deep comparison between: Apidra vs Humulin 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 signalsHumulin has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Apidra based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Humulin but not Apidra, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Apidra
Humulin
At A Glance
SC injection
With meals
Rapid-acting insulin analog
SC injection
2-3 times daily
Human 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 SC injection 2-3 times daily approximately 30 minutes before meals; individualize dose based on metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results, and glycemic control goal; do not mix with other insulins or administer IV.
Contraindications
- During episodes of hypoglycemia
- Known hypersensitivity to insulin glulisine or any of the excipients in APIDRA
- Active episodes of hypoglycemia
- Hypersensitivity to HUMULIN R U-500 or any of its excipients
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 Hypoglycemia
Serious Severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, shock; hypokalemia
Postmarketing Lipodystrophy, localized cutaneous amyloidosis, injection site reactions, weight gain, peripheral edema, anti-insulin antibodies
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.
Human insulin; lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat and inhibiting hepatic glucose production, and also inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis while enhancing protein synthesis.
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Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Apidra
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (9/12)
Humulin
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (1/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Apidra
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (1/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humulin
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (1/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (6/8)
Humana
Apidra
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (1/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Humulin
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (0/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (0/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
No savings programs available for Apidra.
No savings programs available for Humulin.
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ApidraView full Apidra profile
HumulinView full Humulin profile
Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.