Insulin Glulisine Has a Faster Onset of Action Compared with Insulin Aspart in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Aim: Because of its zinc-free formulation insulin glulisine (GLU) might have a faster onset of action than other short-acting analogues. We compared the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GLU with those of insulin aspart (ASP).

Methods: Twelve healthy subjects, aged 18–65 years, participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Subjects received 0.2 U/kg GLU or ASP under euglycaemic glucose-clamp conditions.

Results: GLU showed a significantly higher early metabolic effect (area under the glucose infusion rate (GIR) curve in the first 30 min AUC-GIR_0-30↓ min 30.3±26.4 vs. 16.2±18.4 mg/kg, P=0.0421) than ASP, an earlier onset of action (time to 10% of GIR_max (GIR_max-t_10%) 9 vs. 17 min, P=0.0146) and a faster absorption (shorter times to 10% and 20% of INS_max, P=0.0005 each).

Conclusions: As demonstrated previously versus lispro, GLU, the only analogue formulated without zinc, also has an earlier onset of action than ASP.

Key words

pharmacokinetics - pharmacodynamics - insulin glulisine - insulin aspart

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