Switching Patients to LANTUS® Long-Acting Basal Insulin

LANTUS® is indicated for once-daily subcutaneous administration, at the same time each day, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes mellitus or adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who require basal (long-acting) insulin for the control of hyperglycemia.

LANTUS® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen. Needles and the Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen must not be shared.

LANTUS® MUST NOT BE DILUTED OR MIXED 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.

LANTUS® is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to insulin glargine or the excipients.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect of insulin, including LANTUS®. As with all insulins, the timing of hypoglycemia may differ among various insulin formulations. Glucose monitoring is recommended for all patients with diabetes. Any change of insulin type and/or regimen should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Concomitant oral antidiabetes treatment may need to be adjusted.

Other adverse events commonly associated with LANTUS® include the following: lipodystrophy, skin reactions (such as injection-site reaction, pruritus, rash), and allergic reactions.

In clinical studies in adult patients there was a higher incidence of treatment-emergent injection-site pain (2.7% LANTUS® vs 0.7% NPH). The reports of pain at the injection site were usually mild and did not result in discontinuation of therapy.

Please click here for full prescribing information for Lantus®.

Apidra® is a rapid-acting human 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. Apidra® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients hypersensitive to Apidra® or any of its excipients. Apidra® should normally be used in regimens that include a longer-acting insulin.

Apidra® has a more rapid onset and shorter duration of action than regular human insulin. 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. Glucose monitoring is essential for patients receiving insulin therapy. Any change in insulin and/or regimen should be made cautiously, only under medical supervision, and may require a change in dose. Concomitant oral antidiabetic treatment may need to be adjusted. As with all insulin preparations, the time course of Apidra® action may vary by individual or at different times in the same individual and depends on injection site, blood supply, temperature, and level of physical activity.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin therapy, including Apidra®. The timing of hypoglycemia usually reflects the time-action profile of the administered insulin formulations. Other adverse events associated with Apidra® include hypokalemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, and rash. Less common, but potentially more serious or life-threatening, is generalized allergy to insulin, including anaphylactic reactions.

Apidra® should not be mixed with other insulins or with a diluent when used in the pump.

Please click here for full prescribing information for Apidra®