Lantus

Lantus

     * Generic Name: insulin glargine [rdna origin] injection
     * Brand Name: Lantus


     * What is insulin glargine?
     * What are the possible side effects of insulin glargine?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       insulin glargine?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
       insulin glargine?
     * How should I use insulin glargine?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while using insulin glargine?
     * What other drugs will affect insulin glargine?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is insulin glargine?

   Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose
   (sugar) in the blood. Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that
   starts to work several hours after injection and keeps working evenly
   for 24 hours.

   Insulin glargine is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and
   children with diabetes mellitus. Insulin glargine is used to treat
   type 1 or type 2 diabetes in adults, and type 1 diabetes
   children who are at least 6 years old.

   Some brands of this medicine are for use only in adults. Carefully
   follow all instructions for the brand of insulin glargine you are
   using.

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

What are the possible side effects of insulin glargine?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of insulin allergy:
   redness or swelling where an injection was given, itchy skin rash over
   the entire body, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, feeling like you
   might pass out, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * fluid retention--weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet,
       feeling short of breath; or
     * low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats,
       fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination,
       numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

   Common side effects may include:
     * low blood sugar;
     * itching, mild skin rash; or
     * thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the
       medicine.

   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.

What is the most important information I should know about insulin glargine?

   Never share an injection pen or syringe with another person, even if
   the needle has been changed.

   Lantus Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Diabetes: 20 Reasons for Blood Sugar Swings

   Tips to Manage Blood Sugar
   Travel Tips for Better Diabetes Control

   Diabetes Travel Tips
   RxList

   Take the Diabetes Quiz!

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using insulin
glargine?

   You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to insulin, or if
   you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

   Insulin glargine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years
   old, and should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any
   age.

   To make sure insulin glargine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
   have:
     * liver or kidney disease;
     * low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
     * diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

   Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone
   (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or
   metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are
   using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

   Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin if you are
   pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Blood sugar control is very
   important during pregnancy, and your dose needs may be different during
   each trimester of pregnancy. Your dose needs may also be different
   while you are breast-feeding.

How should I use insulin glargine?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets
   provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
   questions.

   The Toujeo brand of insulin glargine contains 3 times as much insulin
   per milliliter (mL) as the Lantus or Basaglar brands. There are 300
   units of insulin in 1 mL of Toujeo, and 100 units in 1 mL of
   Lantus or Basaglar.

   If there are any changes in the brand, strength, or type of insulin you
   use, your dosage needs may change.

   Insulin is injected under the skin. You will be shown how to use
   injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not
   understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used
   needles and syringes.

   Insulin glargine must not be given with an insulin pump, or mixed with
   other insulins. Do not inject insulin glargine into a vein or a muscle.

   Insulin glargine is usually injected once per day at the same time each
   day. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give
   yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the
   injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

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

   If you use an injection pen, use only the injection pen that comes with
   insulin glargine. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer
   the insulin from the pen into a syringe.

   Never share an injection pen or syringe with another person, even if
   the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections
   or disease to pass from one person to another.

   Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or
   local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a
   puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where
   to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the
   reach of children and pets.

   Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has
   diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating,
   irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious
   or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting
   source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers,
   raisins, or non-diet soda.

   Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use
   in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure
   your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an
   emergency.

   Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as
   increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

   Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery,
   exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before
   changing your insulin dose or schedule.

   Insulin glargine is only part of a treatment program that may also
   include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and
   special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

   Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and
   light. Do not draw insulin from a vial into a syringe until you are
   ready to give an injection. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the
   cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been
   frozen.

   Storing unopened (not in use) Basaglar or Lantus:
     * Refrigerate and use until expiration date; or
     * Store at room temperature and use within 28 days.

   Storing unopened (not in use) Toujeo:
     * Refrigerate and use until expiration date.

   Storing opened (in use) Basaglar or Lantus:
     * Store the vial in a refrigerator or at room temperature and use
       within 28 days.
     * Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate)
       and use within 28 days.

   Storing opened (in use) Toujeo:
     * Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate)
       and use within 42 days.

   Do not store an injection pen with the needle attached.

   Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has
   any particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

   Wear a diabetes medical alert tag in case of emergency. Any medical
   care provider who treats you should know that you have diabetes.

   Lantus Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Diabetes: 20 Reasons for Blood Sugar Swings

   Tips to Manage Blood Sugar
   Travel Tips for Better Diabetes Control

   Diabetes Travel Tips
   RxList

   Take the Diabetes Quiz!

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of insulin
   glargine. You should not use more than one dose in a 24-hour period
   unless your doctor tells you to.

   Keep insulin 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 or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222. Insulin overdose can cause life-threatening
   hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred
   vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle
   weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss
   of consciousness.

What should I avoid while using insulin glargine?

   Avoid medication errors by always checking the medicine label before
   injecting your insulin.

   Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause low blood sugar and may interfere
   with your diabetes treatment.

What other drugs will affect insulin glargine?

   Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines
   can increase or decrease the effects of insulin. Some drugs can also
   cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to
   tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care
   providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or
   stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
   vitamins, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about insulin glargine.
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