Common use

Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes in certain patients to improve and maintain blood glucose levels. Insulin glargine is a man-made form of human insulin that is used once daily to provide a base level of insulin that keeps working for 24 hours or longer.

Dosage and direction

Use the medicine exactly as directed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand how to use an injection. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use it if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Insulin glargine is injected under the skin, using a syringe or insulin pen, once per day at the same time of day.
Insulin can be injected into your upper legs (thighs), upper arms, or stomach area (abdomen). Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. Avoid injecting into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.
When treating type 1 diabetes, use your short-acting insulin before meals as directed by your doctor.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver or kidney disease; or heart failure or other heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as it is not known if insulin glargine will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed, as it is not known if insulin glargine may harm your breastfeeding baby.

Contraindications

Insulin glargine must not be given with an insulin pump or mixed with other insulins. Do not inject insulin glargine into a vein or a muscle. Never share an injection pen, even if you changed the needle.
You should not use insulin glargine if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Possible side effect

Common insulin glargine side effects may include low blood sugar, swelling, weight gain, allergic reaction, itching, rash, or thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine (lipodystrophy).
Call your doctor at once if you have: rapid weight gain, swelling in your feet or ankles; shortness of breath; or low blood potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Missed dose

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose. Do not use more than one dose in a 24-hour period unless your doctor tells you to.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Insulin overdose can cause severe hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.

Storage

Storing unopened (not in use) insulin glargine: Refrigerate at 36°F–46°F (2°C–8°C ). Do not use after the expiration date.
Storing opened (in use) insulin glargine: Storage once in use varies for different brands of insulin glargine. For storage information for the different brands of insulin glargine while in use, check prescribing information.
General storage information: Keep this medicine in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not store an injection pen with the needle attached. Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.