LANTUS® is a recombinant human insulin analog that is a long-acting, parenteral
blood-glucose-lowering agent. The activity of LANTUS® results in a relatively
constant concentration/time profile over 24 hours with no pronounced peak. This
profile is what allows LANTUS® to be dosed once a day as a patient's basal insulin.
Long-acting LANTUS® provides a continuous level of insulin, mimicking the slow,
steady (basal) secretion of insulin provided by the normal pancreas. LANTUS®
may need to be prescribed in combination with mealtime insulins or oral hypoglycemic
agents.
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LANTUS® mechanism of action video to see how its physio/chemical properties
have been modified and how the chemical structure of LANTUS® is different from
other insulins.
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LANTUS® long-acting (basal) insulin differs from human insulin in that the physio/chemical
properties have been modified.
The amino acid asparagine at position A21 is replaced by glycine, and two arginines
are added to the C-terminus of the B-chain. The effect of these changes is to shift
the isoelectric point, producing a solution that is completely soluble at pH 4.1
When injected into the subcutaneous tissue, which has a physiological pH of 7.4,
the acidic solution is neutralized. This leads to the formation of microprecipitates,
or stabilized aggregates, from which small amounts of LANTUS® are slowly released.
The slow dissolution of free hexamers results in the lack of a pronounced peak,
which allows LANTUS® to be dosed once daily.1
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LANTUS®
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.
