What makes lantus special

Do not use this medication if you notice anything unusual about its appearance, such as cloudiness, discoloration, or clumping. Blood glucose monitoring: It is important for anyone using insulin to monitor their blood glucose levels regularly, as recommended by their doctor or diabetes educator.

It is especially important to test blood glucose more often when your insulin dose or schedule changes, or when you are ill or under stress. If blood tests consistently show high or low blood glucose levels, contact your doctor or diabetes educator. Changes at injection site: Fatty tissue under the skin at the injection site may shrink or thicken if you inject yourself too often at the same site.

To help avoid this effect, change the site with each injection. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator if you notice your skin pitting or thickening at the injection site. Changes in insulin requirements: Many things can affect blood glucose levels and insulin requirements. These include:.

It is important your doctor know your current health situation and any changes that may affect the amount of insulin you need. Blood glucose should be monitored regularly as recommended by your doctor or diabetes educator.

Diabetes identification: It is important to either wear a bracelet or necklace or carry a card indicating you have diabetes and are taking insulin.

Family and friends: Educate your family and friends about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia low blood glucose. Keep a glucagon kit available and instruct them on its proper use in case you experience severe low blood glucose and you lose consciousness.

High blood glucose hyperglycemia : Hyperglycemia may occur if your insulin dose is too low or you miss a dose of insulin. Symptoms of hyperglycemia generally build up over hours or days. If you experience symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as increased need to urinate, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushed dry skin, loss of appetite, and a fruity odour to your breath, contact your doctor or diabetes educator immediately.

If hyperglycemia is allowed to continue, a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis may occur. In this condition, your body starts to use body fat as fuel, eventually leading to a large concentration of acid in the blood stream. This can result in unconsciousness, coma, or death. To prevent this from occurring, you may need to have your insulin dose adjusted. Kidney function: Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may change the amount of insulin needed by the body. If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Your doctor may want to test your kidney function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication. Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may change the amount of insulin needed by the body.

If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.

Low blood glucose hypoglycemia : Hypoglycemia may occur if too much insulin is used, if meals are missed, or if you exercise more than usual. Symptoms of mild to moderate hypoglycemia may occur suddenly and can include cold sweat, nervousness or shakiness, fast heartbeat, headache, hunger, confusion, lightheadedness, weakness, and numbness or tingling tongue, lips, or fingers. Mild to moderate hypoglycemia may be treated by eating foods or drinks that contain sugar.

People taking insulin should always carry a quick source of sugar, such as hard candies, glucose tablets, juice, or regular soft drinks not diet soft drinks.

Signs of severe hypoglycemia can include disorientation, loss of consciousness, and seizures. People who are unable to take sugar by mouth or who are unconscious may require an injection of glucagon or treatment with intravenous into the vein glucose.

Pregnancy: It is essential to maintain good blood glucose control throughout pregnancy. Insulin requirements usually decrease during the first trimester and increase during the second and third trimesters. Therefore, contact your doctor if you are pregnant or are thinking about pregnancy. Breast-feeding: It is not known if insulin glargine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Breast-feeding mothers may require adjustments in insulin dose or diet. Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children under 6 years of age. You should always wear a diabetic identification bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in an emergency. Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Brand names. Do not use insulin glargine products in an external insulin pump. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before using insulin glargine products, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to insulin Humulin, Novolin, others , insulin glargine, insulin glargine-yfgn, any of the ingredients of insulin glargine or insulin glargine-yfgn, or any other medications.

Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information for a list of the ingredients. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. If you become pregnant while using an insulin glargine product, call your doctor. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using an insulin glargine product.

These changes can affect your blood sugar and the amount of insulin you will need. Be aware that hypoglycemia may affect your ability to perform tasks such as driving and ask your doctor if you need to check your blood sugar before driving or operating machinery. This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms. Insulin glargine products may cause side effects.

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: redness, swelling, pain, or itching at the injection site changes in the feel of your skin, skin thickening fat build-up , or a little depression in the skin fat breakdown fever, cough, sore throat, or other signs of infection Some side effects can be serious.

If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency treatment: rash, hives, or itching all over the body wheezing difficulty breathing or swallowing fast pulse sweating swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat hoarseness weakness muscle cramps abnormal heartbeat sudden weight gain swelling of ankles or feet shortness of breath vision changes Insulin glargine products may cause other side effects.

Insulin glargine overdose can occur if you use too much insulin glargine or if you use the right amount of insulin glargine but eat less than usual or exercise more than usual.

Insulin glargine overdose can cause hypoglycemia. If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, follow your doctor's instructions for what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. Other symptoms of overdose: loss of consciousness seizures. What other information should I know? Browse Drugs and Medicines. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Taking Lantus with other diabetes medications can increase your risk for hypoglycemia low blood sugar level.

If you take Lantus with other diabetes drugs, your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of one or all of them to reduce your risk for low blood sugar. They may also want you to monitor your blood sugar levels more often. Examples of other diabetes medications that can increase your risk for low blood sugar if taken with Lantus include:.

Taking Lantus with thiazolidinediones can cause heart failure , or worsen heart failure if you already have it. If you take a thiazolidinedione, be sure to discuss it with your doctor before you start treatment with Lantus. If you take one of these drugs with Lantus, your doctor will likely monitor you for signs of heart failure. Taking Lantus with certain blood pressure medications can increase your risk for hypoglycemia low blood sugar level.

If you take Lantus with one of these drugs, your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of either Lantus or the blood pressure medication. Examples of blood pressure medications that can increase your risk for low blood sugar if taken with Lantus include:. Taking Lantus with other types of blood pressure medications can hide the symptoms of low blood sugar when they occur. This can put you at risk for severe hypoglycemia very low blood sugar level with little warning.

If you take Lantus with any of these drugs, your doctor may want you to check your blood sugar levels more often. Taking Lantus with certain antipsychotics can decrease how well Lantus works. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and an increased risk of complications from diabetes. They may also recommend that you check your blood sugar levels more often. Taking Lantus with corticosteroids can decrease how well Lantus works.

This could increase your blood sugar levels, leading to a higher risk of serious complications, such as heart disease. They will also advise you to check your blood sugar levels more often.

However, drinking too much alcohol while taking Lantus can increase your risk for hypoglycemia low blood sugar levels. This is because both alcohol and Lantus can lower blood sugar levels on their own.

Lantus is classified as a long-acting insulin. It lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Lantus is made to work like natural insulin in your body. Insulin is a hormone that does the following:. So you take medication, such as Lantus, to replace the insulin. Your pancreas may also stop making insulin, which would need to be replaced with medication.

Lantus starts lowering blood sugar levels within a few hours. Long-acting insulins take longer than short-acting insulins to start working. But they last longer in your body. After you inject Lantus, the drug forms clusters beneath your skin. As these clusters break down, insulin is slowly released into your bloodstream throughout the hour period.

The solution in the vial is injected using a syringe and needle. Your doctor will discuss whether the vial or SoloStar pen is right for you. Whether you use a syringe or the Solostar pen, never reuse a needle or share a needle with another person. This helps prevent the spread of germs. Below is information on how to use the vial and syringe, and SoloStar pen. Lantus is given as an injection just under your skin a subcutaneous injection , once a day.

When you first get your Lantus prescription, your healthcare provider will explain how to inject the medication yourself. You can take Lantus at any time, but it should be at the same time each day. Ask your doctor what time is best for you. Many people take their Lantus dose at bedtime. However, according to the American Diabetes Association , insulin therapy such as Lantus is the first-choice option for diabetes treatment during pregnancy.

Insulin therapy is also recommended for women who developed diabetes while pregnant called gestational diabetes. If you need treatment to help control your blood sugar levels during pregnancy, talk with your doctor. This can help keep your blood sugar levels in a safe range for you and your baby. However, you may need a different dose of Lantus for a time after you give birth.

This is due to changes in your body and changes in your sleep and mealtime schedules. You may need a rapid-acting insulin , short-acting insulin, or intermediate-acting insulin to fine-tune your blood sugar level control. Many people who use a long-acting insulin such as Lantus will also need rapid-acting or short-acting insulin to control blood sugar levels after meals. This could change how well the insulins work.

If you have any questions about when or how to take each type of insulin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In clinical studies , blood sugar levels were reduced to a similar degree whether people took Lantus in the morning or evening. Your doctor will monitor how your blood sugar levels change throughout the day. It can. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar levels is one of the most common side effects of insulin products, including Lantus.

Also, making any changes to your insulin treatment plan could increase your risk for both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia high blood sugar levels. Severe hypoglycemia very low blood sugar level can be life-threatening if not treated right away.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about creating a plan to prevent and manage low blood sugar levels. DKA is a serious complication of diabetes.

It occurs when your blood sugar levels are very high but your insulin levels are low. Instead, your body starts breaking down fat into ketones a certain type of protein for energy. High levels of ketones make your blood more acidic, which can harm many organs in your body.

DKA treatment takes place in a hospital setting. Treatment involves using insulin to bring sugar into your cells. Faster-acting insulins such as insulin aspart Fiasp, Novolog , insulin glulisine Apidra , or insulin lispro Admelog, Humalog are typically used as part of DKA treatment. Before taking Lantus, talk with your doctor about your health history. Lantus may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions.

These include:. When you get Lantus from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically one year from the date they dispensed the medication. The expiration date helps guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store unopened Lantus vials in your refrigerator until the expiration date listed on the package. Once you open a Lantus vial, you can store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 28 days. You can store unopened Lantus SoloStar pens in the refrigerator until the expiration date listed on the package. You can also store them for 28 days at room temperature.

You should store unopened Lantus SoloStar pens in the refrigerator until the expiration date listed on the package. You should never freeze Lantus vials and SoloStar pens. Also, keep them out of direct heat and light. Put it in a hard container, such as a sharps disposal container. You can get an FDA-approved sharps container at your pharmacy, through medical supply companies, or online.

Examples of containers that you can use include metal coffee cans and used laundry detergent bottles. Put a label on the container to warn people that there are needles inside. Be sure to keep a lid on the container at all times and store it away from children and pets. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

Lantus insulin glargine is indicated to improve blood glucose control in adults and children with type 1 diabetes and in adults with type 2 diabetes. Lantus is a long-acting analog of human insulin engineered to be less soluble at physiological pH, causing crystallization at the injection site, a delay in absorption, and prolongation of action.

Lantus exerts its hypoglycemic effects by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. It also prevents fat and protein degradation while stimulating protein synthesis. Following subcutaneous injection, absorption of Lantus is relatively constant over a hour period. Due to the consistency of insulin glargine, it does not have a defined half-life or peak. There is no peak concentration, as the release in the body remains constant. Lantus is partly metabolized in the subcutaneous depot to two active metabolites, which have similar activity to human insulin.

Median time to end of pharmacological effect is 24 hours. Lantus is contraindicated for use during hypoglycemic episodes. Unopened Lantus vials and SoloStar pens should be stored at room temperature Opened pens should be stored at room temperature for 28 days.

Opened pens should not be refrigerated. Disclaimer : Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication.

The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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