Insulin glargine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Insulin Glargine?

What is insulin glargine for?

Insulin glargine is a drug that is generally used with a proper diet and physical exercise program to control blood sugar levels. This drug is intended for patients with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependence) and type 2 diabetes patients. This drug is a man-made drug that looks like human insulin. This drug works faster and does not last as long as regular insulin.

Insulin is a natural substance that allows the body to use sugar in your daily diet. This medication replaces the insulin your body is no longer producing, which can lower your blood sugar. Controlling high blood sugar can help prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and problems with sexual function. Proper diabetes control can also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

How to use insulin glargine?

Follow the instructions for use listed on the packaging regarding the use / injection / storage of some of the equipment / drugs you are using. The nurse will tell you the correct way to inject this drug. If any instructions and information are unclear, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not inject this drug in cold conditions because it will hurt. Place to put this drug should be at room temperature or stored (see rules of storage). Wash your hands before measuring and injecting this medicine. Before starting treatment, check your product to see if it has any foreign substances or discoloration. If either of the two things is present, do not use this medication. This medicine should be clear and colorless. To avoid drug damage, do not shake the bottle for drug storage.

The dose of this drug can be determined based on your health condition and the body's response to treatment. Measure the dose carefully because even a slight change in dosage can affect your blood sugar levels. If you use a cartridge or other device in injecting drugs, face the display pointer upwards so you can see clearly, if you point the pointer screen down, there is a chance that you may have the wrong amount of drug injection. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure about tool use.

Before starting treatment, make sure the syringe is clean and dry. Inject the medicine into the skin of the abdominal area, upper arm, or thigh once daily or as recommended by your doctor. Do not inject this medicine in the area of ​​a blood vessel or muscle. Change the syringe after each time to reduce the cut under the skin area and to avoid any possible subcutaneous problems.

Use this drug regularly to get optimal benefits. You can inject this drug just once a day and can be done at any time (for example, before breakfast or before bed). Keep in mind, you must inject this drug at the same time every day. Follow closely any treatment plans, dietary plans, and physical exercise plans recommended by your doctor.

Do not mix this drug with other insulin, unless you are using an insulin pump.

Routinely monitor your blood sugar levels. It is very important for the doctor to determine the correct insulin dose. Tell your doctor if your blood sugar level is too high or too low, so your doctor can change the dose of the drug.

If you are measuring the dose using a small bottle, do not use the needle or syringe again. If you are using a cartridge or ampoule, be sure to replace the needle after each time. Consult a pharmacist if you need other information.

How is insulin glargine stored?

Store unopened bottles of medicine in the refrigerator. Don't let it freeze; and never use drugs that are frozen and then thawed. Medicines that have not been opened and stored in the refrigerator can last until the expiration date stated on the packaging.

If you don't have a refrigerator / cooler (for example, while on vacation), store bottles, cartridges, and ampoules at room temperature and keep them away from direct sunlight or high heat. Bottles, cartridges and ampoules that are not stored in the refrigerator can be used for 28 days and after that they must be discarded. Ampoules that have been opened can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days after the first use. Discard medications that have been exposed to hot or cold weather.

Each brand has a different storage method. Check the box for storage instructions or ask your pharmacist. Keep your medication out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Insulin Glargine Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the insulin glargine dosage for adults?

The usual adult dosage for Type 1 Diabetes

Total daily insulin requirements:

Initial dose: subcutaneous injection 0.5 - 0.8 units / kg / day

Remission phase: subcutaneous injection 0.2 - 0.5 units / kg / day

Separate dose therapy: subcutaneous injection 0.5 - 1.2 units / kg / day

Insulin resistance: subcutaneous injection 0.7 - 2.5 units / kg / day

The usual adult dosage for Type 2 Diabetes

Initial dose, monotherapy: subcutaneous injection 0.5 - 1.5 units / kg / day

Maintenance dose, monotherapy: The daily amount of insulin required can increase to 2.5 units / kg or higher in obese and insulin-resistant patients.

What is the insulin glargine dosage for children?

Typical children's dosage for Type 1 Diabetes

> 6 years

Initial dose: subcutaneous injection 0.5 - 0.8 units / kg / day

Remission phase: subcutaneous injection 0.2 - 0.5 units / kg / day

Separate therapeutic dose: subcutaneous injection 0.5-1.2 units / kg / day

Adolescents during peak growth: subcutaneous injection 0.8-1.5 units / kg / day

Typical children's dosage for Type 2 Diabetes

Initial dose, monotherapy: subcutaneous injection 0.5 - 1.5 units / kg / day

Maintenance dose, monotherapy: The daily amount of insulin required can increase to 2.5 units / kg or higher in obese and insulin-resistant patients.

In what dosage is insulin glargine available?

Injection, subcutaneous: 100 units / mL.

Insulin Glargine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to insulin glargine?

Side effects include pain, redness, swelling, or itching after the injection. These side effects may go away after a few days or weeks. If side effects get worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed the drug because he has judged that the benefits outweigh the risks or side effects. Most people using this medicine do not have serious side effects.

Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can also happen if you are not consuming enough calories. Symptoms include chills, cold sweats, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, trembling, fast heartbeat, weakness, headache, fainting, tingling hands / feet, or hunger. Make it a habit to bring glucose (sugar) tablets to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have this form of glucose, you can quickly raise your blood sugar by eating sugary foods such as granulated sugar, honey, candy, or fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about your reactions. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat on a regular schedule and don't skip meals.

Too little insulin can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms of high blood sugar include thirst, frequent urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushed face, rapid breathing, or a fruity odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. Your treatment plan may need to be changed.

This medicine may cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia). tell your doctor right away if any of the possible side effects are not serious: muscle cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeat.

Very serious allergic reactions to this drug are rare. However, seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following serious allergic reactions: rash, itching / swelling (especially face / tongue / throat), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Insulin Glargine Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using insulin glargine?

Before starting treatment, you should:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to insulin (Humulin, Novolin, others), any of these ingredients, or to any other medications. Ask the pharmacist or check the patient information brochure for a list of product ingredients

• tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you are taking along with any vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or want to take. Be sure to mention the following drugs: AIDS antiviral drugs; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE inhibitor) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril), ramipril (Altace), and Trandolapril (Mavik); beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); certain cholesterol-lowering drugs such as fenofibrate (Antara, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (Niacor, Niaspan, in Advicor); clonidine (Catapres, Catapres-TTS, in Clorpres); danazol; Disopiramid (Norpace); diuretics ('water pills'); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, at Symbyax); glucagon; hormone replacement therapy; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for asthma and colds; medicine for mental illness and nausea; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); octreotide (Sandostatin); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral medication for diabetes; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam); pentoxifylline (Trental); pramlintide (Symlin); reserpine; pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (TRICOSAL, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan, others), and calcalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); somatropin (Nutropin, Serostim, others); sulfa antibiotics; sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); and thyroid drugs. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or observe your condition during therapy to avoid side effects

• tell your doctor if you have or have had nerve damage caused by diabetes; heart failure; or if you have other health conditions, including heart, kidney, or liver disease

• call your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using this medicine, contact your doctor

• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication

• alcohol can cause changes in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about safe use if you drink alcoholic beverages while you are on insulin glargine

• ask your doctor what to do if you are sick, experience unusual stress, or change your diet, exercise, or activity schedule. These changes can affect your dosing schedule and insulin levels

• ask your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar. Understand that hypoglycemia can affect your ability to perform activities such as driving. As well as ask your doctor if you need to check your blood sugar before driving or operating machinery

Is insulin glargine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is pregnancy risk category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
• A = no risk
• B = no risk in some studies
• C = there may be some risks
• D = positive evidence of risk
• X = contraindicated
• N = unknown

There is not yet sufficient information about the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Insulin Glargine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with insulin glargine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• Balofloxacin
• Besifloxacin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Dulaglutide
• Enoxacin
• Fleroxacin
• Flumequine
• Gatifloxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Levofloxacin
• Lomefloxacin
• Metreleptin
• Moxifloxacin
• Nadifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Ofloxacin
• Pazufloxacin
• Pefloxacin
• Prulifloxacin
• Rufloxacin
• Sparfloxacin
• Tosufloxacin

Taking this medication together with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of side effects, but if you are taking both drugs at the same time it may give you the best results. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose of one or both of your medications.

• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Linezolid
• Methylene Blue
• Moclobemide
• Nialamide
• Phenelzine
• Procarbazine
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline
• Tranylcypromine

Can food or alcohol interact with insulin glargine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with insulin glargine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• emotional shock

• infection or other illness

• stress (eg, physical or emotional) - can raise blood sugar and can increase the amount of aspart insulin you need

• Kidney illness

• liver disease - side effects of this drug may increase, because the process of clearing drug residues from the body is slower

Insulin Glargine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdosage may occur if you take too much of this medicine, or if you are taking the right amount of this medicine but you eat less or don't exercise. An overdose of this drug can result in hypoglycemia. If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia, follow the instructions your doctor has given you. Other symptoms of an overdose include the following:

• lost consciousness
• seizures

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Before you start treatment, ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose. Write down all the instructions so you can refer to your doctor later.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.