Already on LANTUS® FAQs
The questions and answers on this page are for educational purposes only. If you
have questions about your health or treatment, please ask your doctor or healthcare
provider.
Q: Can I use LANTUS® along with short- or rapid-acting insulins?
A: Yes. LANTUS® can be used with mealtime insulins. LANTUS® helps control
blood sugar levels between meals and overnight. Mealtime insulin (short- or rapid-acting
insulin) is taken with meals and snacks to control blood sugar spikes caused by
food. So your doctor may prescribe a mealtime insulin to work with LANTUS®.
Q: How much can I exercise while taking LANTUS®?
When you exercise, your muscles use up sugar. The harder you work out, the more
your blood sugar levels fluctuate. That’s why before starting any exercise program,
talk to your doctor first. Generally, people with diabetes should always exercise
in moderation, and make sure they have food and water with them.
Q: What should I do if I become pregnant?
A: LANTUS® has not been studied in pregnant women. It is important to maintain
good blood sugar control throughout pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, call your doctor
immediately to learn how to manage your blood sugar.
Q: Will I always be on the same dose of LANTUS®?
A: Probably not. At first, your healthcare provider may adjust your dose of LANTUS®
to find what works for you. You may start with a low dose to see how well LANTUS®
helps control your blood sugar. Once you are comfortable with your starting dose,
your healthcare provider may increase the amount. This change is a normal part of
the process of improving your blood sugar levels. If, after you start taking LANTUS®,
your blood sugar level stays too high, and your healthcare provider doesn’t change
your dose, ask why.
Q: Does taking more insulin mean I am getting worse?
A: No, not necessarily. Your healthcare provider is just finding the right dose
for your body. Different people need different doses of LANTUS®. So work with
your healthcare team to find the dose that gives you good blood sugar control.
LANTUS® SoloSTAR® Pen Video
Watch this video to learn more about the LANTUS® SoloSTAR® Pen.
LANTUS® Injection Video
Learn how to inject LANTUS® with this easy-to-follow injection video.
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find restaurants and keep track of your food intake.
Important Safety Information for Lantus®
Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive ingredients
in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution.
It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with
no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is low blood
sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience
symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia
can be dangerous and can cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness,
seizures, or death. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including
itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your doctor
about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
Indications and Usage for Lantus®
Prescription Lantus® is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type
2 diabetes and adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for
the control of high blood sugar. It should be taken once a day at the same time
each day to lower blood glucose.
Do not use Lantus® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen.
Click here for additional important information for Lantus®.
Important Safety Information for Apidra® (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection)
Do not use Apidra® during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you
are allergic to any of the ingredients in Apidra.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Apidra®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision. Apidra® must only be used if the solution is clear and
colorless with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes
with others.
Apidra®, when given by injection under the skin, should not be mixed with insulins
other than NPH. Do not mix Apidra® with any insulin when used in the pump or
for intravenous administration.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Apidra®, is low blood
sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience
symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia
can be dangerous and can cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness,
seizures, or death. Other possible side effects
may include low blood potassium, injection site reactions, such as changes in fat
tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, such as itching and rash.
Less common, but potentially more serious or life-threatening, is generalized allergy
to insulin, including anaphylactic reactions.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Apidra®, tell your doctor
about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
If the pump or infusion set does not work right, you may not receive the right amount
of insulin. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or ketosis can happen. Problems should
be identified and corrected as quickly as possible. Change the Apidra® in the
pump reservoir every 48 hours.
Indications and Usage for Apidra®
Prescription Apidra® is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children
(4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes to improve blood sugar control. Apidra®
is usually used with a longer-acting insulin. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra®
should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.
Click here for additional important information for Apidra®.
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The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes
only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding
your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions
about your health or treatment.