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.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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