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Managing Hyperglycemia at Home

Encourage Patient Self-Monitoring

Prolonged uncontrolled blood glucose can lead to long-term complications from diabetes. Self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) testing provides feedback on effectiveness of the treatment plan including diet, exercise, and medications.

Managing Inpatient Hyperglycemia

Inpatients with diabetes require detailed discharge planning.26 When it comes time to discharge patients from the hospital, the AACE has outlined their recommendations for transition. Close monitoring under medical supervision is recommended during the transfer and initial weeks thereafter. Dose adjustments of LANTUS®, other insulins, or OADs may be required.

Link to reference AACE recommendations for discharge

60% of hyperglycemic patients will test positive for diabetes after discharge.55

Treating Hyperglycemia

Two ways to help manage hyperglycemia in adult patients with diabetes at home:

  • LANTUS® + a rapid-acting prandial insulin: For effective basal-prandial insulin therapy

OR

  • LANTUS® long-acting (basal) insulin + oral antidiabetes medications (OADs)
Link to reference LANTUS®+ OADs

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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®


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