When is lantus taken

Lantus and Basaglar both come as a liquid solution in a disposable, prefilled pen. Lantus and Basaglar are both given as an injection just under your skin a subcutaneous injection. The drugs are typically given once a day. This list contains examples of more common side effects that can occur with both Lantus and Basaglar when taken individually :. This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with both Lantus and Basaglar when taken individually :.

Lantus and Basaglar are both FDA-approved to lower blood sugar levels in adults and children with type 1 diabetes. They are also both approved to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

The use of Lantus and Basaglar for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes has been directly compared. In a 1-year study , Lantus and Basaglar were found to be equally effective at improving blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes. The people had similar rates of hypoglycemia low blood sugar , allergic reactions, and changes in weight.

In this study, both drugs were used in combination with mealtime insulin. In another clinical study , Lantus and Basaglar helped control blood sugar levels about equally well in people with type 2 diabetes. The drugs were used in combination with oral taken by mouth medications for six months. Lantus and Basaglar are both brand-name drugs. Here we look at how Lantus and Tresiba are alike and different.

Lantus is approved for people ages 6 years and older with type 1 diabetes and for adults with type 2 diabetes. It comes in two forms:. Both Lantus and Tresiba are given as an injection just under your skin a subcutaneous injection. Lantus and Tresiba both contain long-acting insulins. This list contains examples of more common side effects that can occur with both Lantus and Tresiba when taken individually :.

This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with both Lantus and Tresiba when taken individually :.

Lantus and Tresiba are both FDA-approved to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The use of Lantus and Tresiba in treating type 1 diabetes has been directly compared in several clinical studies. In a pooled analysis of these studies, Lantus and Tresiba were found to be equally effective at improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 1 diabetes. Another clinical study found no difference in blood sugar level improvements between Lantus and Tresiba in children with type 1 diabetes.

The use of Lantus and Tresiba in treating type 2 diabetes has also been directly compared. A pooled analysis of nine studies found that Lantus and Tresiba improved blood sugar levels to a similar degree in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, there was a lower risk of severe low blood sugar and low blood sugar at night with Tresiba. Lantus and Tresiba are both brand-name drugs. Lantus may be used with other diabetes medications, including other injectable drugs or medications taken by mouth.

People with type 1 diabetes will need to take Lantus along with a mealtime insulin. A mealtime insulin is needed to control spikes in blood sugar that occur after eating.

People with type 2 diabetes will also likely need to take other diabetes medications besides Lantus. There are several different types of injectable or oral taken by mouth medications that your doctor may prescribe.

These drugs lower your blood sugar further and help prevent serious complications, such as nerve damage. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs. Note : Making any changes to your insulin treatment plan could increase your risk for both hypoglycemia low blood sugar levels and hyperglycemia high blood sugar levels.

Lantus comes as a liquid solution inside vials and disposable, prefilled pens. Each vial of Lantus contains 10 milliliters mL of solution. Each mL contains units of insulin glargine. This strength is also called Lantus U The disposable, prefilled pen of Lantus is called SoloStar. Each pen contains 3 mL of solution. There are units of insulin glargine in each mL. That adds up to a total of units of insulin per Lantus SoloStar pen. And keep in mind that each form of Lantus takes a different needle type.

The Lantus vial and Lantus SoloStar pen are both meant to be used more than once. This is known as being multi-dose. The number of times will be different for each person, depending on your dosage. You can use the vials and pens for up to 28 days after you open them. After that time, you should dispose of the vial or pen, even if it still contains some of the drug. If you have type 1 diabetes , the starting dose of Lantus is generally about one-third of your total daily insulin dose.

Your total daily insulin dose is based on your weight. It typically ranges from 0. There are about 2. For example, a lb man weighs about 68 kg.

If his doctor prescribes 0. His starting dose of Lantus would be about one-third of 34 units, which is about 11 units of Lantus. The drug is given as an injection just under your skin a subcutaneous injection. You can inject Lantus in the skin of your upper arms, belly at least 2 inches away from your belly button , or thighs. The usual starting dose of Lantus for people with type 2 diabetes is 0.

The usual starting dose of Lantus for children with type 1 diabetes is calculated in the same way as for adults. The dosage of Lantus for these children is about one-third of their total daily insulin dose. It ranges from 0. For example, a lb child weighs about 27 kg.

If her doctor prescribes 0. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. This could increase your risk for serious side effects, such as hypoglycemia low blood sugar levels. You might. Lantus is typically used for long-term treatment of diabetes.

Lantus can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Lantus.

Before taking Lantus, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. 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. If there are any changes in the brand, strength, or type of insulin you use, your dosage needs may change. 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. You may have low blood sugar hypoglycemia and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or 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.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule. 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. 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. Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container.

Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets. Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of insulin glargine. You should not use more than one dose in a hour period unless your doctor tells you to. Health Topics. Health Tools. Lantus Insulin Glargine. Generic Name: Insulin glargine. Reviewed: June 23, Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver or kidney disease; or heart failure or other heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Side Effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: rapid weight gain, swelling in your feet or ankles; shortness 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.

Based on FDA pregnancy categories. Avoid medication errors by always checking the medicine label before injecting your insulin. Storing unopened not in use Basaglar or Lantus:. Storing opened in use Basaglar or Lantus:.