Lantus is a long-acting insulin that is designed to be taken just once a day.
It is manufactured by sanofi-aventis.
Studies have shown that a single daily dose of Lantus provides a steady level of insulin for 24 hours, without any significant peaks. Theoretically, this may help reduce the chance of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Lantus is a form of insulin, which is a hormone that is naturally produced by the pancreas. This hormone is important for several functions, such as controlling blood sugar. Insulin helps the cells of your body remove glucose ("sugar") from your bloodstream. This sugar fuels your body's cells, giving them the energy they need to work properly.
Normally, your body is able to maintain proper levels of sugar in your blood and inside your cells. However, in people with type 1 diabetes (and sometimes type 2 diabetes), the pancreas has trouble making insulin. This causes too much sugar to accumulate in the blood. Too much sugar can also accumulate in the blood if your body has trouble responding to normal levels of insulin, as is common in type 2 diabetes. Over time, high levels of sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems in the eyes, feet, hands, kidneys, and heart.
You may need to take insulin if your pancreas has trouble making enough, which is the case in people with type 1 diabetes and in some people who have type 2 diabetes.
Lantus is a long-acting insulin medication. Although it is a solution (liquid) before injection, once Lantus is injected, it forms small particles that dissolve slowly and evenly over time. As a long-acting insulin, Lantus helps to work as a "basal" insulin, which means that it provides a steady background level of insulin to help control blood sugar throughout the day. For controlling a spike in blood sugar levels after meals, other types of insulins may need to be used in addition to Lantus.
When and How to Take Lantus
General considerations for when and how to take Lantus include the following:
- This diabetes medication comes in an injectable form. It is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) once a day.
- Your healthcare provider should show you exactly how to inject it. It can be injected into the skin and fat layer of the abdomen (stomach), upper arm, or thigh. Choose one of these three areas, and rotate injection sites within your chosen area, but do not rotate between different areas, as Lantus may be absorbed differently from various areas.
- Lantus comes in vials, cartridges (for use in the reusable Opticlik® pen device), and the disposable SoloSTAR® pen device. To use the pens, you will need specific types of needles known as "pen needles." Each time you inject Lantus, you will need to use a new needle. To use Lantus from the vial, you will need insulin syringes with needles.
- Because Lantus is a solution, not a suspension, you don't need to shake or swirl it.
- Never mix Lantus with any other insulin in the same syringe. Never dilute it.
- For Lantus to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it. Make sure to monitor your blood sugar levels as your healthcare provider recommends.
The Lantus dosage your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your current dose of other insulins
- How you respond to Lantus (especially as measured by your blood sugar levels)
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Lantus. However, not everyone who uses the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Possible side effects of Lantus include but are not limited to:
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
- A skin reaction at the injection site
- Thickening or pitting of the skin at the injection site.
(Click Lantus Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Lantus if you have:
- An insulin pump
- Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose of Lantus?
People who take too much Lantus (or any other insulin) may experience symptoms such as:
- Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
- Fainting
- Shakiness
- A fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Seizures
- Coma
- Loss of life.
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
Unopened Lantus vials, cartridges, and pens should be stored in the refrigerator. It is best to keep the vials refrigerated once they are opened, although they may be kept at room temperature (less than 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Once you start using a Lantus cartridge or pen, you must not keep it in the refrigerator; it must be kept at room temperature. All forms of Lantus are good for up to 28 days once they are opened, after which you must discard any unused portion.
Lantus is available in the following forms:
- Lantus vials -- 10 mL, with 100 units of insulin per mL
- Lantus cartridge (for use with an Opticlik pen) -- 3 mL per cartridge, with 100 units of insulin per mL (these come with or without the Opticlik pen, which is reusable)
- Lantus SoloSTAR (disposable pen) -- 3 mL per pen, with 100 units of insulin per mL.
To use the SoloSTAR or Opticlik pen, you must obtain pen needles (such as BD Ultra-Fine™ pen needles). You will need a prescription for pen needles, and they can be purchased at most pharmacies. To use the vials, you will need insulin syringes, which generally come with needles attached. You may need a prescription for insulin syringes, depending on the laws of your particular state and the dispensing practices of your particular pharmacy.
The Opticlik pen is reusable, which means you do not throw it away when done. Instead, you refill it with a new cartridge. The SoloSTAR pen is disposable, which means you throw it away after it is empty or after 28 days of use, whichever comes first. It is not refillable.
At this time, Lantus is not available in generic form (see Generic Lantus).
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