TRURAPI (Insulin Aspart) for Diabetes

TRURAPI is an insulin analogue that is used to control high blood sugar (glucose) in people with diabetes.

TRURAPI will start to lower your blood sugar 10-20 minutes after you take it. It has a maximum effect between 1 and 3 hours, lasting for 3-5 hours. Due to this short action, TRURAPI should be taken in combination with intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin preparations.

Your doctor will tell you which insulin to use, how much, when, and how often to inject it. It also depends on the individual. Due to its faster onset of action, TRURAPI should be given close to a meal (the start of the meal should be no more than 5-10 minutes after the injection). When necessary, TRURAPI can be given soon after a meal, instead of before the meal.

Never inject your insulin directly into a vein.

Prior to first use:

• New pens should be stored in a refrigerator between 2 ºC and 8 ºC.
• Do not freeze and do not expose it to heat or sunlight.

After first use:

• The TRURAPI pen that you are currently using should not be refrigerated but should be kept as cool as possible (below 30 ºC) and away from direct heat and light.
• Do not use TRURAPI if it has been frozen.
• Pens you are using, or those that are not refrigerated should be discarded after 28 days, even if they still contain TRURAPI.

Possible side effects you may feel when taking TRURAPI can include the following:

• Hypoglycemia (too little glucose in the blood): is one of the most common adverse events experienced by insulin users. Signs of hypoglycemia include sweating, shaking, nervousness, feeling faint, feeling hungry, and palpitations. Blood glucose monitoring is recommended for all patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia is caused by:
  • Missing or delaying meals
  • Taking too much insulin
  • Exercising or working more than usual
  • Infection or illness (especially with diarrhea or vomiting)
  • Change in the body’s need for insulin
  • Diseases of the pituitary, adrenal, or thyroid gland, or progression of liver or kidney disease
  • Interactions with other drugs that lower blood glucose, such as oral hypoglycemics, salicylates, sulfa antibiotics, and certain antidepressants
  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages

• Skin Changes at the injection site: This occurs when you inject your insulin too often in the same place. The fatty tissue under the skin may shrink or thicken. The insulin may not work if you inject it into a lumpy area. Tell your doctor if you are currently injecting into a lumpy area before you start injecting into a different area. Your doctor will tell you to check your blood sugar more closely and to adjust your insulin or your other anti-diabetic medication.

• Serious Allergic Reactions: Seek medical advice immediately if you suddenly feel unwell or if signs of an allergy spread to different parts of your body, have difficulty breathing, start sweating, feel dizzy, or rapid heartbeat these can indicate a serious allergic reaction.

• Local Allergic Reactions: You may experience reactions at, and around, the injection site (such as reddening, itching, hives, pain on injection, swelling, or inflammation). These usually disappear after a few weeks of using your insulin. If they do not disappear, or if they spread throughout your body, talk to your doctor immediately.

• TRURAPI has a rapid onset of effect therefore if hypoglycemia occurs, you may experience it earlier after injection when compared to soluble human insulin.
  • Signs of allergy (hives, rash). Seek medical advice immediately if you have any of the signs, or if you suddenly feel unwell, and you start sweating, start being sick (vomiting), have difficulty breathing, have a rapid heartbeat or feel dizzy.
  • Vision problems (temporary)
  • Lipoatrophy (depression in the skin)
  • Lipohypertrophy (enlargement or thickening of tissue)
  • Swollen joints (temporary)
  • Diabetic retinopathy (eye background changes)
  • Painful neuropathy (nerve-related pain)
  • Hypokalemia (low potassium). You might be more at risk if you are on potassium-lowering drugs or losing potassium (e.g., diarrhea).

Prior to first use:

• New pens should be stored in a refrigerator between 2 ºC and 8 ºC.
• Do not freeze and do not expose it to heat or sunlight.

After first use:

• The TRURAPI pen that you are currently using should not be refrigerated but should be kept as cool as possible (below 30 ºC) and away from direct heat and light.
• Do not use it if it has been frozen.
• Pens you are using, or those that are not refrigerated should be discarded after 28 days, even if they still contain TRURAPI.