Your Blood Sugar Targets
Over the past decade, Lantus® has treated tens of thousands of people
with diabetes, helping them reach their blood sugar targets.
Blood sugar levels that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends for most
people with type 2 diabetes:
To Reach Your Targets, Your Dose May Need to Change
As with any insulin, finding the right dose of Lantus® to help you
reach your targets may take time. Your doctor may start you at a low dose and slowly
adjust it until he or she finds the right dose for you. That's a normal part
of adding insulin to your diabetes treatment plan, which may include diet, exercise, and other diabetes medicines.
It's important to check your blood sugar levels as often as your doctor suggests.
That way, both you and your doctor can more easily spot when your readings are out
of range, and you can find ways to reduce the frequency of high and low blood sugars.
Your doctor may adjust your treatment plan to help you reach your target range.
Along the way, you may also find that many things affect your blood sugar levels:
diet, exercise, even stress. That's ok. Because blood sugars levels
vary from person to person and from time to time. Speak to your doctor about what ranges are right for you.
What if you don't reach your target blood sugar level within 2 to 3 months?
Your
A1C will measure your average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months.
The ADA recommends an A1C of less than 7% for most people with diabetes. So if your
blood sugar levels aren't in the ranges where you and your doctor agreed is
right for you, talk to your doctor about ways you can get them on track.
“I'm happy, because I know that I'm doing what I'm supposed to do, and my
doctor's happy, too.”
-Mary Ellen, taking Lantus® since 2003
“To get the right dose, you need to give it time. You have to work
with it.”
-José, taking Lantus® SoloSTAR® since 2007
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®.
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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.