LANTUS® Insulin Injection: Step by Step Guide

Making LANTUS® part of your regular daily insulin treatment routine can be easier when you become more familiar with how to inject insulin with your insulin vial and syringe setup. Be sure to always follow your healthcare provider's recommendations.

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

Prepare your LANTUS® insulin dose

DO NOT MIX OR DILUTE LANTUS® WITH ANY OTHER INSULIN OR SOLUTION.

Remove cap
Remove the insulin vial cap

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

Sterilize top
Sterilize insulin vial top

Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab.

Inject air into vial
Inject air into insulin vial

Draw air into the syringe equal to your insulin dose.

Put needle through top of vial

Put the needle through the rubber top of the vial and push the plunger to inject the air into the vial.

Draw up 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.

Remove air bubbles from the syringe

Check for bubbles
Check syringe for bubbles

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

Tap to release
Tap syringe to release

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.

Choose an insulin injection area

Recommended Injection sites
Pinch fold of skin
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. Rotating Insulin Sites(see Rotating Injection Sites)

Clean the injection site

Use alcohol to clean the skin where you are going to inject.

Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site

Pinch the skin and hold it. Insert the needle in the way your healthcare provider, nurse or diabetes educator showed you.

Complete the insulin injection

Inject



Discard safely
Inject LANTUS®

Slowly push the plunger of the syringe all the way, making sure you have injected all the insulin. Leave the needle in the skin for 10 seconds.

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 professional's instructions for throwing away the needle in a proper disposal container.


Important Safety Information for Lantus®

Prescription Lantus® is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes who require long-acting insulin for the control of high blood sugar.

Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable insulin delivery device (insulin pen). Needles and the SoloSTAR® pen must not be shared.

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. Do not change your insulin without talking with your doctor. The syringe must not contain any other medication or residue. You should not use Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin. Lantus® is a long-acting insulin you inject just once a day, at the same time each day. You must test your blood sugar levels while using an insulin such as Lantus®.

The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is hypoglycemia, which may be serious. 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.

Click here for additional important information for Lantus®.

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.
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Prescription Lantus® is available in pharmacies.
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US.GLA.07.02.023       Last Update: March 2007