LANTUS® Insulin Injection: Step by Step Guide
The following steps are for use when LANTUS® insulin injection
is used with a vial and syringe setup. There are separate instructions for the LANTUS® SoloSTAR® pen.
Be sure to always follow your doctor’s recommendations. Never share needles and syringes.
Before your insulin injection:
- Wash your hands
- Make sure the insulin is clear and colorless
- Do not use it if it is cloudy or if you see particles. Throw it away.
- Always use a new syringe
- Relax
Preparing your LANTUS® insulin dose
DO NOT MIX OR DILUTE LANTUS® WITH ANY OTHER INSULIN OR SOLUTION. It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be serious.
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Remove the insulin vial cap
If you are using a new vial, remove the protective cap. DO NOT remove the stopper.
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Sterilize insulin vial top
Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab.
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Inject air into insulin vial
First, draw air into the syringe equal to your insulin dose.
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Then, put the needle through the rubber top of the vial and push the plunger to
inject the air into the vial.
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Draw up your insulin dose
Leave the syringe in the vial and turn both upside down. Hold the syringe and vial
firmly in one hand. Make sure the tip of the needle is in the insulin. With your
free hand, pull the plunger to withdraw the correct insulin dose into the syringe.
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Removing air bubbles from the syringe
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Check syringe for bubbles
Before you take the needle out of the insulin vial, check the syringe for air bubbles.
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Tap syringe to release bubbles
If bubbles are in the insulin, hold the syringe straight up and tap the side of
the syringe until the bubbles float to the top.
Eject air from the syringe
Push the bubbles out with the plunger and draw the insulin back in until you have
the correct dose.
Remove needle from the vial
Do not let the needle touch anything. You are now ready to inject the correct dose.
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Choosing an insulin injection area
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Pick your injection site
Decide on an injection spot—either upper arm, thigh or abdomen. Injection
sites within an injection area must be different from one injection to the next.
Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site
Pinch the skin and hold it. Insert the needle in the way your healthcare provider
showed you.
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Completing the insulin injection
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Inject LANTUS®
Slowly push the plunger of the syringe all the way, making sure you inject all the
insulin. Leave the needle in the skin for 10 seconds.
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Apply light pressure to the injection site
Pull the needle straight out and gently press on the spot where you injected yourself
for several seconds. Do not rub the area.
Discard material safely
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for throwing away the needle in a
proper disposal container.
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Important Safety Information for Lantus®
Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive ingredients
in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution.
It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with
no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is low blood
sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience
symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia
may be serious and life threatening. It may cause harm to your heart or brain. Other
possible side effects may include injection site reactions, including changes in
fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and
rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your doctor
about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen. Please talk to your healthcare
provider about proper injection technique and follow instructions in the Instruction
Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
Click here for full prescribing information for Lantus®.
Click
here for information on Sharps Medical Waste Disposal.