Insulin Glargine Usage

Insulin Glargine is used in the treatment of diabetes.

How Insulin Glargine works

Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin that provides consistent, all-day sugar control. It works like your body's natural insulin. Insulin facilitates reuptake of sugar in muscle and fat cells and also suppresses the production of sugar in the liver.

Common side effects of Insulin Glargine

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level), Injection site allergic reaction

Expert advice for Insulin Glargine

• Insulin Glargine helps to control blood glucose level and avoids long-term complications.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) is a common side-effect; learn how to identify and manage its symptoms (sweating, rapid heartbeat, weakness, blurry vision, headache) and teach your family as well.
• Injection below the skin of the abdomen results in faster absorption than other injection sites.
• Injection sites must be rotated to prevent hard lumps from developing at one site.
• Opened vials/cartridge are good at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, while unopened vials must be placed in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C).
• Do not use if the preparation is no longer clear and colourless, or if it contains particles.
• You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and take your other diabetes medicines along with Insulin Glargine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. Does Insulin Glargine/ Lantus insulin peak?
No, Insulin Glargine, whose action is steady and prolonged, has a relatively constant concentration time profile over 24 hours with no peaks

Ques. Q. Does Insulin Glargine/ Lantus insulin come in a pen?
Yes, Insulin Glargine is available in a pen style formulation

Ques. Q. Is Insulin Glargine/ Lantus insulin long acting?
Yes, Insulin Glargine has a relatively constant concentration time profile over 24 hours hence it is long acting

Ques. Q. How does Insulin Glargine work?
Insulin Glargine is modified artificially prepared insulin (equivalent to human insulin) which is completely soluble in acidic pH of the glargine solution. Insulin Glargine acts by replacing the normal production of insulin and by helping transfer sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is utilized to generate energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar. After the injection of Insulin Glargine into the subcutaneous tissue (upper layer of skin), the acidic solution is neutralized leading to formation of micro particles (micro-precipitates) from which small amounts of Insulin Glargine are continuously released, providing a prolonged duration of action of insulin. Insulin Glargine solutions have long and steady blood-sugar-lowering action

Ques. Q. How much does Insulin Glargine cost?
The cost of Insulin Glargine depends upon the various brands available in the market. Please read details on the package for the correct price of the produc

Ques. Q. Does Insulin Glargine/ Lantus insulin need to be refrigerated?
Unopened cartridges of Insulin Glargine/ Lantus must be stored in a refrigerator where the temperature is between 2 - 8°C. When the cartridge has been inserted into the injection pen, the cartridge pen combination should not be put in the refrigerator and should be kept at room temperature

Ques. Q. Does Insulin Glargine/ Lantus insulin cause weight gain?
There are no known effects of Insulin Glargine/lantus on weight gai

Ques. Q. Does Insulin Glargine/ Lantus insulin cause cancer?
There are no known effects of Insulin Glargine/ Lantus on causing cancer

Ques. Q. What is Insulin Glargine/ Lantus used for?
Insulin Glargine. Lantus is used to reduce high blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with diabetes mellitus. Insulin Glargine is used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin) and type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally)

Ques. Q. Is Insulin Glargine/ Lantus synthetic?
Yes, Insulin Glargine is a genetically modified insulin that is grown in a laboratory, and is similar to human insulin

Ques. Q. Is Insulin Glargine/ Lantus safe?
Yes, Insulin Glargine is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor

Ques. Q. Can Insulin Glargine/ Lantus be mixed?
Insulin Glargine. Lantus solution must not be mixed with any other glargine or insulin preparation. Always follow the instructions of doctor regarding the dosage, frequency, duration, or use of any concomitant medications

Ques. Q. How is Insulin Glargine/ Lantus made?
Insulin Glargine.Lantus is produced by recombinant DNA technology with the help of a non-pathogenic (non-disease causing) laboratory strain of bacteria (Escherichia coli [K12]) as the production organism

Ques. Q. Is Lantus insulin (insulin glargine) the same as Levemir (insulin detemir)?
Both Lantus and Levemir are both long lasting forms of insulin (made by recombinant DNA technology) and are similar to human insulin. However, the duration of Levemir is slightly shorter than Lantus

Ques. Q. Is Insulin Glargine/ Lantus clear or cloudy?
Insulin Glargine. Lantus solutions should be clear. Do not use if Insulin Glargine preparations is no longer clear and colorless or if it contains particles.