Lantus

Lantus

Generic Name: insulin glargine (IN soo lin GLAR jeen)

Brand Names: Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen

What is Lantus?

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a man-made form of a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Lantus is a long-acting form of insulin that is slightly different from other forms of insulin that are not man-made.

Lantus is used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) or type 2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Lantus may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Lantus

Lantus is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss. Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need to adjust your Lantus dose.

Before using Lantus

Do not use Lantus if you are allergic to insulin glargine.

To make sure you can safely take Lantus, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Lantus is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether insulin glargine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Lantus without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Lantus pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Lantus?

Lantus is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. You should not mix Lantus with other insulins.

Lantus should be a thin, clear, and colorless liquid. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a different place in your injection skin area each time you give the Lantus injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

The Lantus SoloStar injection pen contains a total of 300 units of insulin. The pen is designed to deliver from 1 to 80 units with each press of the injection button. Do not press the button more than one time per injection unless your doctor has prescribed a dose greater than 80 units.

Never share a Lantus injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.

Your dose needs may change if you become ill, have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Your doctor may want you to stop taking Lantus for a short time if any of these situations affect you. Ask your doctor how to adjust your Lantus dose if needed. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them: headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating.

Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.

Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss.

Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change.

Lantus is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you use insulin. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are diabetic.

Storing unopened Lantus vials, OptiClik, or SoloStar devices: Keep in the carton and store in a refrigerator, protected from light. Throw away any insulin not used before the expiration date on the medicine label. Store the Lantus injection pen with its cap on. Unopened vials, Lantus OptiClik, or Lantus SoloStar devices may also be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days, away from heat and bright light. Throw away any insulin not used within 28 days.

Storing after your first use: You may keep "in-use" vials or cartridges not yet loaded into the OptiClik in the refrigerator or at room temperature, protected from light. Use within 28 days.

Do not refrigerate an in-use OptiClik or SoloStar device, or a Lantus cartridge that has been inserted into the OptiClik. Keep it at room temperature and use within 28 days.

Do not freeze Lantus, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use Lantus to make up the missed dose. You should not use more than one dose in a 24-hour period unless your doctor tells you to.

Keep Lantus on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.

What should I avoid while using Lantus?

Do not change the brand of insulin glargine or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Lantus side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of allergic reaction to Lantus: itching skin rash over the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of Lantus. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, trouble concentrating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, fainting, or seizure (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal). Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.

Tell your doctor if you have itching, swelling, redness, or thickening of the skin where you inject Lantus.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Lantus side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Lantus?

Using certain medicines can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Tell your doctor if you use any of the following:

albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin);

clonidine (Catapres);

reserpine; or

a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others.

There are many other medicines that can increase or decrease the effects of Lantus on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Lantus resources

Lantus Side Effects (in More Detail)

Lantus Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Lantus Drug Interactions

Lantus Support Group

5 Reviews for Lantus - Add your own review/rating

Lantus Prescribing Information (FDA)

Lantus Monograph (AHFS DI)

Lantus Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Lantus Cartridge Systems MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Lantus with other medications

Diabetes, Type 1

Diabetes, Type 2

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Lantus.