Lantus contains the drug insulin glargine, which is classified as a long-acting insulin. Lantus is given as an injection just under your skin (a subcutaneous injection). The drug comes as a solution inside 10-milliliter (mL) vials that hold 100 units of insulin glargine per ml. The vial is used with needles, which aren’t included with the vial. Lantus also comes as a prefilled Solostar pen. Each pen contains 3 mL of drug solution that has 100 units of insulin per mL of solution.
Lantus is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It is for use in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and in children at least 6 years old with type 1 diabetes. Some brands of insulin glargine are for use only in adults. Carefully follow all instructions for the brand of insulin glargine you are using.
HOW TO USE
Follow all package directions for proper use/injection/storage of the particular type of device/insulin you are using. Your health care professional will teach you how to properly inject this medication. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not inject cold insulin because this can be painful. The insulin container you are currently using can be kept at room temperature (see also Storage section). Wash your hands before measuring and injecting insulin. Before using, check the product visually for particles, thickening, or clumps. If any are present, discard that container. Insulin glargine should be clear and colorless. To avoid damaging the insulin, do not shake the container.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Measure each dose carefully, and use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Even small changes in the amount of insulin may have a large effect on your blood sugar. If you are using the cartridge form of this insulin and a special injecting device with a digital display, take care to read the display right-side up. If you read the display upside-down, you may inject the wrong amount of insulin. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to properly use this type of injecting device.
Before injecting each dose, make sure the injection site is clean and dry. Inject this medication under the skin of the abdomen, upper arms, or thighs, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Do not rub the injection site. Do not inject into a vein or muscle. Change where you inject each time to lessen the risk of problems or damage under the skin (for example, pits/lumps or thickened skin). Do not inject into skin that is red, swollen, itchy, or damaged.
Use this medication regularly as directed by your doctor in order to get the most benefit from it. You may inject insulin glargine once daily at any time during the day (such as before breakfast or at bedtime) but you should inject at the same time each day. Carefully follow the insulin treatment plan, meal plan, and exercise program your doctor has recommended. Do not mix this product with other insulins or solutions, or use it in an insulin pump. Do not change brands or types of insulin without directions on how to do so from your doctor. Monitor your blood sugar on a regular basis. Keep track of the results, and share them with your doctor. This is very important in order to determine the correct insulin dose.
If you are measuring doses from vials, do not reuse needles and syringes. If you are using the cartridges or pens, use a new needle each time. Do not share your pen device with another person, even if the needle is changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (your blood sugar is too high or too low).
SIDE EFFECTS:
Lantus can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Lantus. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
The more common side effects* of Lantus can include:
- injection site reactions (redness, itchiness, pain, or tenderness around the injection area)
- lipodystrophy (changes in skin thickness near the injection site)
- itchy skin
- rash · edema (swelling), typically in your legs, ankles, or feet
- weight gain · upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold · hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS:
Serious side effects from Lantus aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following: · Hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Symptoms can include:
o weakness
o fatigue (lack of energy)
o muscle cramping o abnormal heart rhythm (a heartbeat that’s too fast, too slow, or uneven) o paralysis (loss of movement in a body part) o respiratory failure (meaning your lungs can’t release oxygen into your blood)
- Severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels). · Allergic reaction.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:
- Never share a LANTUS Solostar prefilled pen between patients, even if the needle is changed. (5.1)
- Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia with changes in insulin regimen: Make changes to a patient’s insulin regimen
(e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, injection site or method of administration) under close medical
supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring.
- Hypoglycemia: May be life-threatening. Increase frequency of glucose monitoring with changes to: insulin
dosage, coadministered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with renal
or hepatic impairment and hypoglycemia unawareness.
- Medication Errors: Accidental mix-ups between insulin products can occur. Instruct patients to check insulin
labels before injection.
- Hypersensitivity reactions: Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur.
Discontinue LANTUS. Monitor and treat if indicated.
- Hypokalemia: May be life-threatening. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if
indicated.
- Fluid retention and heart failure with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs): Observe for signs and
symptoms of heart failure; consider dosage reduction or discontinuation of TZD if heart failure occurs.
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