Insulin Glargine
About Insulin Glargine
Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin injection used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It is prescribed for both type 1 diabetes, where the body does not make insulin, and type 2 diabetes, where the body cannot use insulin properly. Maintaining stable insulin levels helps prevent serious long-term complications associated with high blood sugar.
You will typically inject Insulin Glargine once a day. It is highly important to use it at the same time every day to maintain steady blood sugar levels in your body. Because this medication is an injection that works continuously over 24 hours, you can take it with or without food. Combining this injection with healthy food choices and regular physical activity is essential to get the best results from your treatment.
The most common side effect of this medication is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause shakiness, sweating, and dizziness. Other common issues include mild reactions at the injection site, such as redness or swelling. If you experience any serious side effects, such as severe breathing difficulties, sudden swelling of your face or throat, or extreme dizziness, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Do not take this if you are currently experiencing an episode of low blood sugar or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication or any of its ingredients. Before starting your treatment, talk to your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver damage, or heart failure, as these conditions may require special monitoring or dose adjustments.
Using alcohol while taking Insulin Glargine can unpredictably affect your blood sugar levels, significantly increasing your risk of severe low blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, as many drugs can interact with your insulin therapy. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this medication is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Insulin Glargine
• Manage diabetes: Insulin Glargine helps in managing both type 1 diabetes (adults and children) and type 2 diabetes (adults).
• Blood sugar level control: Insulin Glargine controls blood sugar levels with a steady insulin release that replicates the body's natural insulin production.
• Long-acting Insulin Therapy: Insulin Glargine provides steady insulin coverage for 24 hours, offering consistent blood sugar control without peaks and dips.
• Reduction of Hyperglycemia: Insulin Glargine is involved in lowering high blood sugar levels, which helps in reducing the risk of diabetes complications like kidney damage and nerve damage.
Medicinal Benefits
Insulin Glargine provides long-lasting blood sugar control by delivering a steady supply of insulin throughout the day and night. By maintaining stable glucose levels and simplifying diabetes management, this medicine offers several key health benefits:
- Steady 24-Hour Blood Sugar Control: Insulin Glargine releases insulin slowly and consistently into the bloodstream, helping prevent sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar and providing reliable day-and-night glucose stability.
- Protection Against Diabetes Complications: By helping maintain blood sugar within the target range, Insulin Glargine reduces the risk of long-term diabetes-related complications, including nerve damage, kidney problems, vision loss, and cardiovascular concerns.
- Convenient Daily Diabetes Management: With a simple once-daily injection schedule, Insulin Glargine helps meet your background insulin requirements consistently, making daily diabetes care easier and more manageable.
Directions for Use
Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding your dose and how to inject Insulin Glargine. Do not change your dose or stop using this medication without consulting your healthcare provider first.
- Inject Insulin Glargine under the skin (subcutaneously) of your thigh, upper arm, or abdomen.
- Never inject this medication into a vein or a muscle, as this can cause the insulin to act too quickly and lead to dangerously low blood sugar.
- Rotate your injection site with every dose to prevent skin changes, such as lumps or thinning of the fat under the skin.
- Do not mix Insulin Glargine in the same syringe with any other insulin, and do not dilute it with other liquids.
Storage
Side Effects of Insulin Glargine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, or mild dizziness
- Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection
- Changes in skin thickness or texture (lipodystrophy) where you regularly inject
- Mild weight gain
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe low blood sugar, which can lead to confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a widespread rash, breathing difficulties, rapid heartbeat, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low potassium levels in the blood, which may cause muscle cramps, severe weakness, or an irregular heart rhythm
- Sudden weight gain or swelling in your ankles and feet, especially if you take certain oral diabetes tablets
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Drug Warnings
- Always inspect the liquid inside the vial or pen before injecting; it must be completely clear and colorless. Do not use it if it looks cloudy, colored, or has floating particles.
- Never share your Insulin Glargine injection pen, needle, or syringe with anyone else, even if the needle has been changed, to avoid spreading serious infections.
- Always use a new, sterile needle for every injection to prevent infections and avoid blocked needles.
- Rotate your injection site within your chosen area (thigh, arm, or stomach) with each dose to prevent hard lumps or skin damage from developing.
- Check your blood sugar before driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require concentration, as low blood sugar can impair your coordination and alertness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions:
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact.
- May increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with other diabetes medicines (such as sulfonylureas), certain blood pressure drugs (such as ACE inhibitors), or certain antidepressants (such as MAO inhibitors).
- May decrease the effectiveness of Insulin Glargine, leading to high blood sugar, when taken with corticosteroids (such as prednisone), thyroid hormones, or certain atypical antipsychotics.
- Certain blood pressure medications (such as beta-blockers) may mask the common warning signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, or palpitations.
Drug-Food Interactions:
- Drinking alcohol can unpredictably affect your blood sugar levels, either causing a sudden drop or prolonging the risk of severe low blood sugar.
Drug-Disease Interactions:
Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Insulin Glargine, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Kidney or Liver Damage: May require a gradually decreasing dose because your body may process and clear the insulin more slowly, increasing the risk of low blood sugar.
- Heart Failure: Taking Insulin Glargine alongside certain oral diabetes medicines (such as thiazolidinediones) may cause your body to retain fluid, which can worsen heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Insulin Glargine to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedInsulin Glargine can be used during pregnancy. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after delivery. Please consult your doctor before taking Insulin Glargine.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedInsulin Glargine can be given safely to nursing mothers but only under the supervision of a physician. Your physician may make adjustments in your insulin doses and your diet.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Insulin Glargine usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability. Your ability to concentrate and react may be reduced if you have hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Liver
cautionInsulin Glargine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionInsulin Glargine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedInsulin Glargine can be given safely to children provided the dose is prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Track your carbohydrate intake: Maintain a consistent daily intake of carbohydrates to help keep your blood sugar levels predictable and prevent sudden drops.
- Always carry fast-acting sugar: Keep a source of quick sugar with you at all times, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candies, to treat sudden low blood sugar quickly.
- Exercise safely: Physical activity lowers blood sugar. Test your blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercise, and discuss with your doctor if you need to adjust your food intake or dose.
- Monitor blood sugar regularly: Test your blood sugar levels as directed by your healthcare team to understand how your body is responding to the medication
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially in hot weather or during physical activity, as dehydration can affect your blood sugar control.
Special Advise
- Change (rotate) your injection sites within the area you chose with each dose to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy (pitted or thickened skin) and localised cutaneous amyloidosis (skin with lumps) at the injection sites. Do not use the same spot for each injection or injection where the skin is pitted, thickened, lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred or damaged.
- When travelling across more than two time zones, you should talk to your doctor about adjustments to your insulin schedule.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disease that prevents the body from utilising insulin properly. Insulin is the hormone that controls sugar levels in the blood. Diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are above normal. It is of two types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body processes sugar. Symptoms of diabetes include lack of energy, tiredness, frequent urination, excess thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, constant hunger, weight loss, and itchy skin.
FAQs
Insulin Glargine is used to treat type 1 diabetes in adults and children and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults.
Insulin Glargine works by replacing the insulin that is normally produced by the body. It helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. Insulin Glargine also prevents the liver from producing more sugar.
Insulin Glargine should be stored in a refrigerator (2°C-8°C). Do not freeze.
Type-2 diabetes generally does not affect healthy children and teens, but it may affect children who are obese, which is also known as Childhood Obesity.
Cut back on foods high in sodium, alcohol, fried foods, and high-carb food and drinks like sugary drinks, drinks with added sugar, white rice and starchy vegetables.
Insulin Glargine should not be discontinued without a doctor's consultation as stopping Insulin Glargine may cause severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and ketoacidosis (buildup of acid in the blood). Consult the doctor if you feel uncomfortable after taking Insulin Glargine.
The injection site should be changed to prevent skin changes like lumps under the skin. Insulin Glargine may not work well if injected into the lumpy area.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Limit sugar intake and avoid smoking & alcohol consumption. Manage stress by doing meditation or yoga.
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may occur because you inject too much insulin, miss or delay meals, do not eat enough, eat food containing less carbohydrate than normal, drink alcohol, lose carbohydrates due to vomiting or diarrhoea, do more exercise than usual or a different type of physical activity, are recovering from an injury, illness, operation or stress, or are taking/have stopped taking other medicines.
Insulin Glargine contains insulin glargine, a modified insulin which is very similar to human insulin.
Check the label for directions and use Insulin Glargine as advised by the doctor. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns. Fill the injection with the appropriate dose. Pick the injection site and wipe it with an alcohol swab. Now, pinch up the skin, inject the needle into the skin and then push the plunger in. After injecting the insulin, pull out the needle and dispose of the syringe safely.
Insulin Glargine should be used only as prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will recommend the dose and duration based on your condition.
Using more than the prescribed dose of Insulin Glargine may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Monitor blood glucose levels and consult the doctor if the blood sugar levels are low.
The dose of Insulin Glargine may need to be changed based on your blood sugar levels, lifestyle conditions, if are taking certain other medicines, during pregnancy, after giving birth, and breastfeeding.
Serious side effects of Insulin Glargine include severe allergic reactions (rash/itching all over the body, severe swelling of skin or mucous membrane, shortness of breath, a fall in blood pressure with rapid heartbeat and sweating) and hypoglycaemia (thirst, tiredness, increased urge to urinate, tiredness, fast heartbeat, and low blood pressure). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
Insulin Glargine can be given to treat both the conditions of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, your doctor will decide whether Insulin Glargine can be given to you or not, depending on your present condition. Insulin Glargine should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Insulin Glargine or other forms of insulin. It should be avoided in patients suffering from low potassium level (hypokalemia), moderate to severe kidney disease or liver disease. Inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
No. You must never mix Insulin Glargine with any other insulin or liquid in the same syringe. Mixing it can change how the medication is absorbed, preventing it from working correctly and potentially causing dangerous blood sugar fluctuations. Talk to your doctor if you require multiple types of insulin.
You should inject Insulin Glargine once a day, at the exact same time every day. Your doctor will help you decide whether a morning or evening injection fits your lifestyle and treatment needs best. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help establishing a routine.
If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar and are able to swallow safely, consume 15 grams of fast-acting sugar immediately, such as a half-cup of fruit juice, three glucose tablets, or a few hard candies. Wait 15 minutes, check your blood sugar again, and repeat if it is still too low. Talk to your doctor if you experience frequent low blood sugar episodes.
Yes, you can travel with your medication. Keep unopened vials or pens cool by using an insulated travel bag with cold packs, making sure they do not touch ice directly to prevent freezing. Always carry your active, in-use pen or vial in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage to protect it from extreme temperature changes in the cargo hold. Talk to your doctor for a travel letter if needed.
No, you do not need to eat a meal immediately after injecting Insulin Glargine because it is a long-acting insulin that provides a steady, continuous release over 24 hours. However, you must still maintain your regular, scheduled meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar balanced. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to align your meals with your injection.
No. If your medication has been frozen, even if it has thawed out, you must discard it immediately. Freezing damages the structure of the medicine, making it ineffective and unsafe for controlling your blood sugar. Always store your medication in the main compartment of the refrigerator, away from the freezer element.
Injecting this medication into a muscle can cause your body to absorb the medicine much faster than intended. This can lead to a sudden, severe drop in your blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely, keep fast-acting sugar nearby, and seek medical help if your blood sugar drops dangerously low. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about proper injection techniques.
Keeping your blood sugar well-controlled is highly important during pregnancy for both you and your baby. Insulin Glargine is commonly used during pregnancy, but your insulin requirements may change significantly during this time. Talk to your doctor to discuss how to adjust your dose and safely manage your blood sugar throughout your pregnancy.
