Yes. Lantus^® is often taken along with other diabetes medicines. It's important to tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works.

Your doctor may change your Lantus^® dose several times over the first few months. But stick with it—changing your dose to find what works best for you is important. Even after you find the right dose, your doctor may adjust it from time to time.

Once a day, at the same time each day. Most people take Lantus^® at bedtime, but you can take it at other times if your healthcare professional says it’s okay. You must check your blood sugar levels when taking insulin, such as Lantus^®.

It’s advised that, before you inject, remove it from the refrigerator an hour or two before you use it—cold insulin can be more uncomfortable to inject. Do NOT refrigerate your pen once it is in use. Learn more.

Your doctor has specific instructions for you regarding when to take Lantus^®. Before starting Lantus^®, ask your doctor what to do if you forget to take your insulin.

Aside from your regular visits, there are a few specific times when you should call your doctor. Ask your doctor when you should call. For example, if you think you are having side effects from Lantus^®, call your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if your blood sugar levels remain consistently high, or call if your blood sugar levels remain consistently low.

When you’re sick, you may have a more difficult time keeping your blood sugar levels within target range. During times of illness, it is important to monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently.

Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood sugar (glucose).

Hypoglycemia is when your body has an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose). In other words, your body has too much insulin relative to the amount of glucose.

Several factors can contribute to changes in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, including food, physical activity, illness, or glucose-lowering medicine.

At home, one simple way is to keep your active pen, alcohol swabs, needles, and sharps container all together in a basket or bag next to your bed or in the bathroom cabinet out of reach of children. When you’re on the go, keep them in your travel bag, computer bag, briefcase, sports bag, or other carry bag. If you are currently taking Lantus^®, you can also get a free carrying case when you sign up for more Lantus^® information.

This is called an injection-site reaction and should clear up within a few days or weeks. If it doesn’t go away, or if these reactions continue, tell your doctor. Make sure you change injection sites from one injection to the next. Click here to learn more about injection sites.

As with all insulins, injection sites should be rotated between the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm from one injection to the next. Using the same spot every time you inject will toughen up the skin over time, which may affect your body’s ability to absorb the insulin.

No, always attach a new, sterile needle. Using the same needle can block the insulin from injecting correctly, may cause contamination or spread infection.

Yes, you should always perform the safety test before each injection. This removes air bubbles and ensures that the pen and needle are working properly.

Yes. The Lantus^® that comes in the vial is the same Lantus^® that’s prefilled in the SoloSTAR^® pen. The only difference is that it comes in the pen.

No. Needles are prescribed separately by your doctor. The Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® pen is compatible with BD-brand needles. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with your pen and your needles.

The injection discomfort you may feel varies from person to person. The pen comes prefilled with 300 units. How many doses you get from that will depend on what your doctor prescribes for you.

The injection discomfort you may feel varies from person to person. The pen uses a small and very thin needle. The insulin is injected into the fatty layers just under your skin, where there are fewer nerve endings than in other places.

No, you do not need to use a new pen each time you give yourself an injection. However, the needle does have to be changed with every dose. Each Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® pen contains 300 units of insulin. Use the same pen until there is no more insulin left. The pen can be used for 28 days once you open it.

It is important to keep the injection button pressed all the way in and to slowly count to ten before withdrawing the needle from the skin. After a full injection, the number in the dose window will return to zero. These steps ensure that the full dose has been delivered. To help ensure an accurate dose each time, follow all steps in the instruction included with your Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® pen. You may also want to take a moment to review your injection techniques by watching the video Injecting with the Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® Pen.

One reason is that you may not be leaving the needle under the skin long enough. After the injection button is pressed, be sure to count to 10 before you withdraw the needle from the skin. You may also want to take a moment to review your injection techniques by watching the video Injecting with the Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® Pen.

The Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® pen prevents you from dialing past the number of units left in the pen. If there isn’t enough insulin for your full dose, you can complete your dose by calculating how much more you will need from a new pen. For example, if you normally use 41 units and there are only 12 units left in your pen, you will need 29 units from the new pen. Inject the remaining insulin from the first pen, and then inject the appropriate amount with the new pen to complete your dose. Or, you can just use a new pen for your full dose. Always remember to check the dial at each injection to be sure you’re getting the correct dose.

It’s important to protect your pen from dust and dirt, so you can clean the outside of your SoloSTAR^® pen by wiping it with a damp cloth. Do not run it under water or use any soap or solvents.

It depends on how the prescription is written. With the Lantus^® SoloSTAR^® pen, you can receive up to 500 more units of insulin per prescription for the same copay as a vial and syringe under most major insurance plans. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for more information.

Always discard the pen with the pen cap on. You can discard it in the regular trash. But always discard the needles the way your healthcare professional told you to do it. Also visit www.safeneedledisposal.org.

Representatives will be available for technical support Monday to Friday, 8:00 am CST through 8:00 pm CST, at 1-800-633-1610. In the meantime, use another pen to inject your insulin.