Basaglar Vs. Lantus Insulin
Basaglar and Lantus are both insulin glargine medications. They are long-acting insulin analogues. Basaglar was approved in December 2015 and is a “follow-on” to Lantus. Basaglar is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Lantus is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis.
What are these medications used for?
Basaglar and Lantus are used to control blood glucose levels in adults and children 6 years old and up with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes.
How to take
Basaglar and Lantus insulin are both meant to be injected subcutaneously. They should be injected once a day, ideally at the same time every day. They should not be combined with other insulins and should not be administered via an insulin pump. Basaglar and Lantus should not be injected into muscles or veins.
Side effects
Basaglar and Lantus insulin are safe and approved medications. However, some adverse effects may still occur.
Common side effects
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
Severe side effects
- Indentation of the skin at the injection site
- Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site
- Thickening of the skin at the injection site
Dosage
Basaglar and Lantus contain 100 units of insulin per 1 mL of the medication. The dosage of each of these insulin products may need to be adjusted based on the patient’s blood glucose levels, glycemic control goal, and metabolic needs. The typical dosage when patients begin treatment with Basaglar or Lantus insulin is up to 10 units injected once daily.
Doctor’s Recommendation
When using Basaglar or Lantus insulin, follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully. Both are effective for controlling blood sugar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Inject either Basaglar or Lantus under the skin once daily at the same time each day. Do not mix these insulins with others or use them in an insulin pump. Watch for side effects like reactions at the injection site, and tell your doctor if you notice severe symptoms or skin changes. Regularly check in with your doctor to review your treatment and adjust your insulin dosage as needed.
