For U.S. Residents Only

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.

Remove the insulin vial cap

Remove the insulin vial cap
If you are using a new vial, remove the protective cap. DO NOT remove the stopper.

Sterilize insulin vial top

Sterilize insulin vial top
Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab.

Inject air into insulin vial

Inject air into insulin vial
First, draw air into the syringe equal to your insulin dose.

Put needle through top of insulin vial

Then, put the needle through the rubber top of the vial and push the plunger to inject the air into the vial.

Draw up your insulin dose

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.

Removing air bubbles from the syringe

Check syringe for bubbles

Check syringe for bubbles
Before you take the needle out of the insulin vial, check the syringe for air bubbles.

Tap syringe to release bubbles

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.

Choosing an insulin injection area

Recommended Injection sites
Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site

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.

Completing the insulin injection

Inject LANTUS®

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.

Apply light pressure to the injection site

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.



The LANTUS® SoloSTAR® Pen

An easy-to-use
pen prefilled
with once-daily,
24-hour LANTUS®

LANTUS® Connection™

LANTUS® Connection™ is a free support program for people with diabetes who are taking LANTUS® to help control their blood sugar.

GoMeals

The free GoMeals™ iPhone app makes it easy to access nutritional information, find restaurants and keep track of your food intake.

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 can be dangerous and can cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness, seizures, or death. 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.

Indications and Usage for Lantus®

Prescription Lantus® is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It should be taken once a day at the same time each day to lower blood glucose.

Do not use Lantus® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin pen.

Click here for additional important information for Lantus®.

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

Do not use Apidra® during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Apidra.

You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Apidra®. 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. Apidra® 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.

Apidra®, when given by injection under the skin, 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.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Apidra®, 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 can be dangerous and can cause harm to your heart or brain. It may cause unconsciousness, seizures, or death. Other possible side effects may include low blood potassium, injection site reactions, such as changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, such as itching and rash. Less common, but potentially more serious or life-threatening, is generalized allergy to insulin, including anaphylactic reactions.

Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Before starting Apidra®, 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.

If the pump or infusion set does not work right, you may not receive the right amount of insulin. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or ketosis can happen. Problems should be identified and corrected as quickly as possible. Change the Apidra® in the pump reservoir every 48 hours.

Indications and Usage for Apidra®

Prescription Apidra® is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes to improve blood sugar control. Apidra® is usually used with a longer-acting insulin. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra® should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal.

Click here for additional important information for Apidra®.

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The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.