Insulin Glargine
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Basaglar Kwikpen, Basaglar Tempo Pen, Insulin Glargine, Insulin Glargine Solostar, Insulin Glargine...
- Brand Names
- Basaglar Kwikpen, Basaglar Tempo Pen, Insulin Glargine, Insulin Glargine Solostar, Insulin Glargine U-300, Insulin Glargine U-300 Max, Lantus, Lantus Solostar, Toujeo, Toujeo Max
- Drug Class
- Insulin Analog [EPC]
- Route
- SUBCUTANEOUS
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION, SOLUTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Insulin glargine is a long-acting human insulin analog produced by recombinant DNA technology utilizing a non-pathogenic laboratory strain of Escherichia coli (K12). Insulin glargine differs from human insulin in that the amino acid asparagine at position A21 is replaced by glycine and two arginines are added to the C-terminus of the B-chain. Insulin glargine has a molecular weight of 6063 Da. LANTUS (insulin glargine) injection is a sterile, clear and colorless solution for subcutaneous use in a 10 mL multiple-dose vial or a 3 mL single-patient use prefilled pen (LANTUS Solostar). Prefilled Pen (LANTUS Solostar) and Vial: Each mL contains 100 units of insulin glargine and the inactive ingredients: glycerol 85% (20 mg), m-cresol (2.7 mg), zinc (30 mcg), and Water for Injection, USP. The vial also contains polysorbate 20 (20 mcg). The pH is adjusted by addition of aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. LANTUS has a pH of approximately 4.
What Is Insulin Glargine Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE LANTUS is indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. LANTUS is a long-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use Not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use LANTUS is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Individualize dosage based on metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring, glycemic control, type of diabetes, and prior insulin use. ( 2.2 ) Administer subcutaneously into the abdominal area, thigh, or deltoid once daily at any time of day, but at the same time every day. ( 2.1 ) Do not dilute or mix with any other insulin or solution. ( 2.1 ) Rotate injection sites to reduce risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. ( 2.1 ) See Full Prescribing Information for the recommended starting dosage in patients with type 2 diabetes ( 2.3 ) and how to change to LANTUS from other insulins ( 2.4 ) Closely monitor glucose when switching to LANTUS and during initial weeks thereafter. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Always check insulin labels before administration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Visually inspect LANTUS vials and SoloStar prefilled pens for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Only use if the solution is clear and colorless with no visible particles. Administer LANTUS subcutaneously into the abdominal area, thigh, or deltoid, and rotate injection sites within the same region from one injection to the next to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Do not inject into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse Reactions (6) ] . During changes to a patient's insulin regimen, increase the frequency of blood glucose monitoring [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Do not administer intravenously or via an insulin pump. Do not dilute or mix LANTUS with any other insulin or solution. The LANTUS SoloStar prefilled pen dials in 1-unit increments. Use LANTUS SoloStar prefilled pen with caution in patients with visual impairment who may rely on audible clicks to dial their dose. 2.2 General Dosing Instructions Administer LANTUS subcutaneously once daily at any time of day but at the same time every day. Individualize and adjust the dosage of LANTUS based on the patient's metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results and glycemic control goal. Dosage adjustments may be needed with changes in physical activity, changes in meal patterns (i.e., macronutrient content or timing of food intake), during acute illness, or changes in renal or hepatic function. Dosage adjustments should only be made under medical supervision with appropriate glucose monitoring [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . In patients with type 1 diabetes, LANTUS must be used concomitantly with short-acting insulin. 2.3 Initiation of LANTUS Therapy Recommended Starting Dosage in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes The recommended starting dosage of LANTUS in patients with type 1 diabetes is approximately one-third of the total daily insulin requirements. Use short-acting, premeal insulin to satisfy the remainder of the daily insulin requirements. Recommended Starting Dosage in Patients with Type 2...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere: Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hypoglycemia Due to Medication Errors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Adverse reactions commonly associated with LANTUS include hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trial of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data in Table 1 reflect the exposure of 2,327 patients with type 1 diabetes to LANTUS or NPH in Studies A, B, C, and D [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . The type 1 diabetes population had the following characteristics: the mean age was 39 years, 54% were male, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.1 kg/m 2 . Ninety-seven percent were White, 2% were Black or African American and less than 1% were Asian. Approximately 3% of the patients in studies B and C were Hispanic. The data in Table 2 reflect the exposure of 1,563 patients with type 2 diabetes to LANTUS or NPH in Studies E, F, and G [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . The type 2 diabetes population had the following characteristics: the mean age was 59 years, 58% were male, and mean BMI was 29.2 kg/m 2 . Eighty-seven percent were White, 8% were Black or African American and 3% were Asian. Approximately 9% of patients in Study F were Hispanic. The frequencies of adverse reactions during LANTUS clinical studies in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus are listed in the tables below (Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4). Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring ≥5% in Pooled Clinical Studies up to 28 Weeks Duration in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes LANTUS, % (n=1,257) NPH, % (n=1,070) Upper respiratory tract infection 22.4 23.1 Infection Body system not specified 9.4 10.3 Accidental injury 5.7 6.4 Headache 5.5 4.7 Table 2: Adverse Reactions Occurring ≥5% in Pooled Clinical Studies up to 1 Year Duration in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes LANTUS, % (n=849) NPH, % (n=714) Upper respiratory tract infection 11.4 13.3 Infection Body system not specified 10.4 11.6 Retinal vascular disorder 5.8 7.4 Table 3: Adverse Reactions Occurring ≥10% in a 5-Year Study of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes LANTUS, % (n=514) NPH, % (n=503) Upper respiratory tract infection 29.0 33.6 Edema peripheral 20.0 22.7 Hypertension 19.6 18.9 Influenza 18.7 19.5 Sinusitis 18.5 17.9 Cataract 18.1 15.9 Bronchitis 15.2 14.1 Arthralgia 14.2 16.1 Pain in extremity 13.0 13.1 Back pain 12.8 12.3 Cough 12.1 7.4 Urinary tract infection 10.7 10.1 Diarrhea 10.7 10.3 Depression 10.5 9.7 Headache 10.3 9.3 Table 4: Adverse Reactions Occurring ≥5% in a 28-Week Clinical Study in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes LANTUS, % (n=174) NPH, % (n=175) Infection Body system not specified 13.8 17.7 Upper respiratory tract infection 13.8 16.0 Pharyngitis 7.5 8.6 Rhinitis 5.2 5.1 Severe Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia was the most commonly observed adverse reaction in patients treated with LANTUS. Tables 5, 6, and 7 summarize the incidence of severe hypoglycemia in the LANTUS clinical studies. Severe symptomatic hypoglycemia was defined as an event with symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of another person and associated with either a blood glucose below 50 mg/dL (≤56 mg/dL in the 5-year study and ≤36 mg/dL in the ORIGIN study) or prompt recovery after oral carbohydrate, intravenous glucose, or glucagon...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 8 includes clinically significant drug interactions with LANTUS. Table 8: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with LANTUS Drugs that May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs : Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics. GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors. Intervention : Dosage reductions and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LANTUS is coadministered with these drugs. Drugs that May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LANTUS Drugs : Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention : Dosage increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LANTUS is coadministered with these drugs. Drugs that May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LANTUS Drugs : Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. Pentamidine may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia. Intervention : Dosage adjustment and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LANTUS is coadministered with these drugs. Drugs that May Blunt Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Drugs : Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine. Intervention : Increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LANTUS is coadministered with these drugs. Drugs that Affect Glucose Metabolism : Adjustment of insulin dosage may be needed. ( 7 ) Antiadrenergic Drugs ( e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine ): Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent. ( 7 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS LANTUS is contraindicated: During episodes of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] In patients with hypersensitivity to insulin glargine or any of the excipients in LANTUS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] During episodes of hypoglycemia ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to insulin glargine or any of the excipients in LANTUS ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Published studies with use of insulin glargine during pregnancy have not reported a clear association with insulin glargine and adverse developmental outcomes (see Data ) . There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ) . Rats and rabbits were exposed to insulin glargine in animal reproduction studies during organogenesis, respectively 50 times and 10 times the human subcutaneous dosage of 0.2 units/kg/day. Overall, the effects of insulin glargine did not generally differ from those observed with regular human insulin (see Data ) . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The estimated background risk of major birth defects is 6% to 10% in women with pregestational diabetes with a peri-conceptional HbA1c >7 and has been reported to be as high as 20% to 25% in women with a peri-conceptional HbA1c >10. The estimated background risk of miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo-fetal Risk Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia occur more frequently during pregnancy in patients with pre-gestational diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia-related morbidity. Data Human Data Published data do not report a clear association with insulin glargine and major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes when insulin glargine is used during pregnancy. However, these studies cannot definitely establish the absence of any risk because of methodological limitations including small sample size and some...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Excess insulin administration may cause hypoglycemia and hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3 , 5.6) ] . Mild episodes of hypoglycemia can usually be treated with oral carbohydrates. Lowering the insulin dosage, and adjustments in meal patterns or exercise may be needed. More severe episodes of hypoglycemia with coma, seizure, or neurologic impairment may be treated with glucagon for emergency use or concentrated intravenous glucose. After apparent clinical recovery from hypoglycemia, continued observation and additional carbohydrate intake may be necessary to avoid recurrence of hypoglycemia. Hypokalemia must be corrected appropriately.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied LANTUS (insulin glargine) injection is supplied as a clear and colorless solution containing 100 units/mL (U-100) available as follows: LANTUS NDC number Package size 10 mL Multiple-dose vial 0088-2220-33 1 vial per carton 3 mL SoloStar single-patient-use prefilled pen 0088-2219-05 5 pens per carton Additional Information about LANTUS Solostar: The LANTUS SoloStar prefilled pen dials in 1-unit increments. Needles are not included in the packs. Use BD Ultra-Fine ® needles ‡ with the SoloStar prefilled pens (these BD manufactured needles are sold separately). 16.2 Storage Dispense in the original sealed carton with the enclosed Instructions for Use. Store unused LANTUS in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). Do not freeze. Discard LANTUS if it has been frozen. Protect LANTUS from direct heat and light. Storage conditions are summarized in the following table. Not in-use (unopened) Not in-use (unopened) In-use (opened) Refrigerated Room Temperature (36°F–46°F [2°C–8°C]) (up to 86°F [30°C]) (see temperature below) 10 mL multiple-dose vial Until expiration date 28 days 28 days Refrigerated or room temperature 3 mL single-patient-use SoloStar prefilled pen Until expiration date 28 days 28 days Room temperature only (Do not refrigerate)
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.