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Starting Patients on Insulin Therapy

A stepwise approach to managing blood sugar.

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Why you should CONSIDER LANTUS® I need to start a patient on LANTUS® I'm already MANAGING PATIENTS on LANTUS® Learn More I need to start a patient on LANTUS® I'm already MANAGING PATIENTS on LANTUS® Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Learn More I need to start a patient on LANTUS® I'm already MANAGING PATIENTS on LANTUS® Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Link to reference Learn More Why you should CONSIDER LANTUS® I need to start a patient on LANTUS® Learn More Why you should CONSIDER LANTUS® I'm already MANAGING PATIENTS on LANTUS®

Welcome to the LANTUS® site for Healthcare Professionals. LANTUS®, the #1 prescribed insulina, works as part of an overall diabetes treatment plan, which includes diet, exercise, and other diabetes medications. LANTUS® is a once-daily, long-acting insulin that works for a full 24-hours with no pronounced peak.

Are you considering insulin therapy for your patients with diabetes? The Consider LANTUS® section can help you see if LANTUS® may be the right choice. If you are beginning a patient on LANTUS® for the first time, explore Starting LANTUS® for tips and guidelines. Healthcare Professionals who are already monitoring patients on LANTUS® can visit Managing Patients for information on helping patients reach their blood sugar goals.

Important Safety Information for Lantus®

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Lantus® is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to insulin glargine or one of its excipients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Monitor blood glucose in all patients treated with insulin. Insulin regimens should be modified cautiously and only under medical supervision. Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or method of administration may result in the need for a change in insulin dose or an adjustment in concomitant oral antidiabetic treatment.

Do not dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution. If mixed or diluted, the solution may become cloudy, and the onset of action/time to peak effect may be altered in an unpredictable manner. Do not administer Lantus® via an insulin pump or intravenously because severe hypoglycemia can occur. Insulin devices and needles must not be shared between patients.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin therapy, including Lantus®, and may be life-threatening.

Severe life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur.

A reduction in the Lantus® dose may be required in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Certain drugs may affect glucose metabolism, requiring insulin dose adjustment and close monitoring of blood glucose. The signs of hypoglycemia may be reduced in patients taking anti-adrenergic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Other adverse reactions commonly associated with Lantus® are injection site reaction, lipodystrophy, pruritus, and rash.

Indications and Usage for Lantus®

Lantus® is a long-acting insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lantus® should be administered once a day at the same time every day.

Important Limitations of Use: Lantus® is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Use intravenous short-acting insulin instead.

Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen.

Please click here for full prescribing information.


Important Safety Information for Apidra®
(insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection)

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Apidra® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients hypersensitive to Apidra® or any of its excipients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Closely monitor blood glucose in all patients treated with insulin. Change insulin regimens cautiously and only under medical supervision. Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or method of administration may result in the need for a change in insulin dose or an adjustment in concomitant oral antidiabetic treatment. As with all insulin preparations, the time course of Apidra® action may vary by individual or at different times in the same individual and is dependent on many conditions, including the site of injection, local blood supply, or local temperature.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin therapy, including Apidra®, which may be serious.

Severe life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur. All insulins, including Apidra®, can cause hypokalemia, which if untreated, may be serious.

A reduction in the Apidra® dose may be required in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

Apidra® for subcutaneous injection 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. Insulin devices and needles must not be shared between patients.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Certain drugs may affect glucose metabolism, requiring insulin dose adjustment and close monitoring of blood glucose. The signs of hypoglycemia may be reduced in patients taking anti-adrenergic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Other adverse reactions commonly associated with Apidra® include injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, and rash.

Indications and Usage for Apidra®

Apidra® is a rapid-acting insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes.

When used as a mealtime insulin, the dose of Apidra® should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Apidra® should normally be used in regimens that include a longer-acting insulin.

Please click here for full prescribing information for Apidra®


Click herefor information on Sharps Medical Waste Disposal.

a Based on TRx data from IMS Health, NPA™ monthly database, time period from May 2003 to March 2010.