Lantus

by on April 18, 2012
Brand Names:Lantus, Lantus OptiClik Cartridge, Lantus Solostar Pen
Generic name:insulin glargine
Pregnancy Category:C
Half-life:12 hours

What is Lantus?

Lantus is a brand name medication marketed by Sanofi-Aventis consisting of insulin glargine. This is a prescription diabetes medication, and it is a long-acting form of insulin. This type of insulin is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as short-acting and intravenous insulin is preferred for the treatment of that condition.

There are presently no generic forms of this drug approved within the US. Lantus is thought to be a ‘biologic’ medicine, and regulations and rules keep manufacturers from making generic biologics. Plus, patents presently prohibit generic Lantus from becoming manufactured. It’ll work by decreasing glucose levels in your blood.

Lantus consists of micro crystals that are thought to slowly release insulin, and it can have a long duration of action between 18 and 26 hours. This profile is also considered to be peak less.

Lantus Uses

LantusLantus is used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It works by lowering the amount of sugar within the blood, and since it is long-acting insulin, it is usually only taken once per day.

It is used in injection form, and it is important that directions should be followed properly. It can be taken at any time during the day, but it needs to be taken consistently at the same time. Patients should also not take any more or less of the medication than prescribed, and the appearance should always be checked before using it.

Lantus is usually prescribed as part of a full treatment program which also may involve exercise, diet, weight control, as well as testing the blood sugar. Follow your medication, diet and exercise regimen extremely closely. Altering any of these could affect your level of blood sugar.

How Lantus is used

Lantus will be injected underneath your skin. You might be shown how you can utilize injections at home. Don’t self-inject medication if you don’t completely understand how you can administer it and correctly dispose of any used syringes or needles. You shouldn’t mix Lantus with additional insulin.

Lantus ought to be a clear, colorless and thin liquid. Don’t use the medicine if it has changed colors or possesses any particles inside it. Contact your physician for a new prescription. Utilize a separate place within your injection skin region every time you administer the Lantus injection. The care provider is going to show you the ideal areas on the body to administer the medicine. Don’t inject within the same area twice in a row.

Utilize disposable needles only once. Toss away used needles within puncture-proof structures (ask the pharmacist where you could buy one and how you can dispose of it). Keep the structure concealed from pets and kids.

Never share the Lantus injection cartridge or pen with an additional individual. Sharing injection cartridges or pens could permit disease like HIV or like hepatitis to pass from a single individual to another. A person’s blood sugar is going to have to be examined often, and you might require additional blood tests in your physician's office. Regularly go to the doctor.