Insulin glargine is a injectable long-acting, synthetic version of human insulin. Insulin glargine products work by replacing the insulin that is normally produced by the body and by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar (Gluconeogenesis).
Insulin glargine, sold under the brand name" Lantus" among others, is a long-acting modified form of medical insulin, used in the management of Type I and Type II diabetes. It is typically the recommended long acting insulin in the United Kingdom.
LANTUS is a long-acting man made synthetic insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.
Insulin glargine is a recombinant human insulin analogue that does provide 24-hour duration of action in most, but not all, patients with Type I Diabetes Mellitus. It differs from human insulin in that the amino acid Asparagine at position A21 is replaced by Glycine, and two Arginines molecules are added to the carboxy (C)-terminus of the Beta polypeptide chain.
Glargine (Lantus) is an insulin analog recently available in the U.S. It is a long-acting insulin but differs from other long-acting insulins (such as NPH, Lente, and Ultralente) because it is clear as opposed to cloudy. It also has an acidic pH and should not be mixed with other insulins.
Lantus is a synthetic insulin: Lantus is a synthetic form of insulin used to treat diabetes.
Semglee is replacing Lantus:
Lantus is a long-acting insulin that's been around for a long time. Semglee was approved in July 2021 as the first interchangeable biosimilar to Lantus. You can expect similar clinical benefits, side effects, and risks with both medications.
It is used once a day as an injection just under the skin. Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin that has been around for over 20 years. It's also a biologic medication. That means it comes from a living organism. Lantus is a brand-name product.
In general, glargine is less variably absorbed than NPH insulin, and in clinical trials in patients with Type I Diabetes mellitus, it has been associated with a reduced risk of hypoglycemia, particularly nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Like other types of insulin, insulin glargine is used to keep your blood sugar level close to normal. You may have to use insulin glargine in combination with another type of insulin or with a type of oral diabetes medicine to keep your blood sugar under control.
The best time to take glargine:
Since insulin glargine lowers the blood glucose over 24 hours, it should be injected once daily at bedtime.
The reason for using insulin glargine at night:
Insulin glargine is a long-acting human insulin analog often administered at bedtime to patients with type 2 diabetes. It reduces fasting blood glucose levels more efficiently and with less nocturnal hypoglycemic events compared with human Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin.
NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin is an insoluble intermediate-acting insulin preparation first created in 1946. The name refers to N for neutral, P for protamine (a protein), and H for its creator scientist name Hans Christian Hagedorn.
The more common side effects that can occur with insulin glargine include:
•Low blood sugar. Symptoms may include: hunger. nervousness.
•Unexplained weight gain.
•Swelling in your arms, legs, feet, or ankles (edema)
•Reactions at the injection site. Symptoms may include: a small indent in your skin (lipoatrophy).
Lantus (insulin glargine) is a brand-name medication that's used to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Common side effects of Lantus include weight gain and upper respiratory tract infections.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment). Insulin glargine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old, and some brands are for use only in adults.
Usual adult dose of Glargine for Diabetes Type II:
Initial dose U-100 (100 units/mL): 0.2 units/kg (up to 10 units) subcutaneously once a subcutaneous means beneath the skin.The word itself is made up of sub, which is "under" in Latin, and cutaneous, which comes from cutis, meaning "skin." The only actual synonym for subcutaneous is hypodermic, which also usually describes a needle that is inserted below the skin.
Twice-daily insulin glargine for patients with uncontrolled Type II diabetes:
You may take glargine twice a day.Because of its long duration of action insulin glargine is usually prescribed once daily. However, several reports have shown that the administration of insulin glargine once daily is not enough to achieve adequate glucose control in some patients requiring a twice daily dosing .
Glargine lasts for 24 hours:
Glargine is a long acting insulin generally given in the evening or night, that provides the body with a continues supply of insulin. It lasts about 24 hours.
Insulin glargine is an extended, long-acting insulin.
It takes about 90 minutes (1 and1/2 hours) to begin working after injection, and it stops working after about 24 hours. After injection, insulin glargine is released slowly and constantly into the bloodstream.
Glargine should be given before meals:
Since this medicine lowers the blood glucose over 24 hours, it is best to use it at about the same time every day, usually within the hour before the first meal of the day. Check the liquid in the pen. it should be clear and colorless.
Once-daily glargine can be administered in a flexible morning or bedtime regimen (plus morning glimepiride) to achieve good glycemic control without any difference in hypoglycemia.
Do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep Glargine away from heat and light. Throw the pen away after 28 days, even if it still has insulin left in it. Lantus Solostar Pens: Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F).
Insulin is usually recommended as the initial therapy for diabetes if a person's HbA1c level at diagnosis is greater than 10% or if someone's fasting blood glucose level is consistently above 250mg/ 100 ml.
Long-acting insulin includes Ultralente (U) (Humulin® or Novolin®), L-glargine (Lantus®) and Detemir (Levemir®). This insulin group has an onset of action between 1-2 hours and a peak action time that varies between 6-20 hours.
Benifits of Glargine:
Insulin glargine is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems.
Like other types of insulin, insulin glargine is used to keep your blood sugar level close to normal. You may have to use insulin glargine in combination with another type of insulin or with a type of oral diabetes medicine to keep your blood sugar under control.
Toujeo® injection is available in 2 prefilled pens: Max SoloStar® and SoloStar®. Since insulin glargine lowers the blood glucose over 24 hours, it should be injected once daily at bedtime.
Lantus is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Lantus is for use in adults with Type I or Type II diabetes, and in children at least 6 years old with Type I diabetes. For Type I diabetes, Lantus is used together with a short-acting insulin given before meals.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
