LANTUS Dosage & Rx Info | Uses, Side Effects

Lantus Generic Name & Formulations

Legal Class

General Description

Insulin glargine (rDNA origin) 100 Units/mL; soln for SC inj; contains m-cresol.

How Supplied

Vials (10mL)—1; SoloStar prefilled pens (3mL)—5

Manufacturer

Sanofi U.S.

Generic Availability

Mechanism of Action

The primary activity of insulin, including insulin glargine, is regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin and its analogs lower blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis.

Lantus Indications

Indications

Diabetes mellitus (types 1 & 2).

Limitations of Use

Not for treating diabetic ketoacidosis.

Lantus Dosage and Administration

Adults and Children

Give by SC inj once daily at same time each day into abdominal area, thigh, or deltoid; rotate inj sites. Onset ~1hr, no pronounced peak, duration ≥24hrs. <6yrs: not established. ≥6yrs: individualize; monitor and adjust as needed. Type 1 diabetes: Initially ⅓ of total daily insulin dose. Give remainder of the total dose as short-acting, premeal insulin. Insulin-naïve with type 2 diabetes: Initially 0.2 Units/kg or up to 10 Units once daily. May need to adjust amount, timing of short- or rapid-acting insulins and doses of any oral antidiabetics. Switching from once-daily Toujeo (insulin glargine 300 Units/mL): reduce initial Lantus dose by 20% of the previous Toujeo dose. Switching from once-daily NPH: initial Lantus dose should be the same as previous NPH dose. Switching from twice-daily NPH: reduce initial Lantus dose by 20% of the previous total NPH dose.

Lantus Contraindications

Contraindications

During episodes of hypoglycemia.

Lantus Boxed Warnings

Not Applicable

Lantus Warnings/Precautions

Warnings/Precautions

Instruct patients on diet, exercise, blood or urine testing, proper administration of insulin, change in species of origin, type or purity of insulin, and management of hypoglycemia. Do not reuse or share pens, needles, or syringes between patients, even if the needle is changed. Do not inject into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Increased risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia if changes in physical activity, meal patterns, renal or hepatic function, insulin regimen, administration site, and if acute illness occurs: monitor glucose more frequently and may need to adjust dose. Discontinue if hypersensitivity reactions occur. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk for hypokalemia (eg, concomitant K⁺-lowering or K⁺-sensitive drugs). Renal or hepatic impairment. Elderly. Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.

Lantus Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

Hepatic.

Lantus Interactions

Interactions

Do not mix or dilute with other insulins. Increased risk of hypoglycemia with concomitant antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, MAOIs, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (eg, octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics; may need to reduce dose and monitor more frequently. Reduced efficacy with concomitant atypical antipsychotics (eg, olanzapine, clozapine), steroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), thyroid hormones; may need to increase dose and monitor more frequently. Concomitant thiazolidinediones (TZDs) may cause fluid retention and heart failure; consider dose reduction or discontinue TZDs. Variable effects with alcohol, β-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, pentamidine. Concomitant β-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, or reserpine may blunt hypoglycemia; monitor.

Lantus Adverse Reactions

Adverse Reactions

Hypoglycemia, local or systemic allergy, inj site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, weight gain; hypokalemia.

Lantus Clinical Trials

See Literature

Lantus Note