Insulin Glargine
Information about Insulin Glargine
Insulin glargine uses
Insulin Glargine is used in the treatment of diabetes.
How insulin glargine works
Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin that provides consistent, all-day sugar control. It works like your body's natural insulin. Insulin facilitates reuptake of sugar in muscle and fat cells and also suppresses the production of sugar in the liver.
Common side effects of insulin glargine
Headache, High blood pressure, Peripheral edema, Severe hypoglycemia, Diarrhea, Urinary tract infection, Auto-antibody formation, Back pain, Upper respiratory tract infection, Cataract, Retinal vascular disease, Injection site pain, Pharyngitis, Inflammation of the nose, Injection site reaction, Sodium retention, Weight gain, Amyloidosis
Available Medicine for Insulin Glargine
Expert advice for Insulin Glargine
- Insulin Glargine is injected under the skin. It needs to be injected once daily, at the same time every day.
- Injection below the skin of the abdomen results in faster absorption than other injection sites.
- Injection sites must be rotated to prevent hard lumps from developing at one site.
- Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and take your other diabetes medicines (if prescribed) alongside.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) is a common side effect. Hence, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is required while taking this medicine.
- Always carry some high sugar food such as sugar candy or glucose candy, fruit juice and glucose/glucon-D with you so that you can take it when you experience hypoglycemia symptoms such as cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremors, weakness, and anxiety.
- Opened vials/cartridge stay good at room temperature for up to 4 weeks, while unopened vials must be placed in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C).
- Do not use if the preparation is no longer clear and colorless, or if it contains particles.
Frequently asked questions for Insulin Glargine
Insulin Glargine
Q. What kind of insulin is Insulin Glargine?
Insulin Glargine is a man-made insulin, which is very similar to human insulin. It has a long and steady (constant) effect on the blood sugar levels and the action lasts for an entire day. This makes it suitable to be used once daily. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults and type 1 diabetes mellitus in adults and children.
Q. What should I know before using Insulin Glargine?
Insulin Glargine is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) with a pen-like device or an insulin syringe and needle. There are various areas on the body where insulin can be injected such as abdomen (stomach area), thighs (upper portion of legs), upper arms, hips or buttocks. Your doctor will show you the area of your skin where you should inject it. Never inject it directly into a vein or a muscle. Before using Insulin Glargine, make sure that the solution is colorless and free of any particles. It should strictly be taken in the dose that has been prescribed to you. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to administer Insulin Glargine correctly and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
Q. How is Insulin Glargine administered?
Insulin Glargine is injected just below the skin (subcutaneously). Your doctor will train you on the correct method and the areas (abdomen or stomach, thighs, arms, hips or buttocks) where you should inject it. It is advised that the site of injection should be changed within the chosen area of skin, for every dose. For example, if you have been advised to inject it into the skin of your stomach, avoid puncturing the same point on your stomach every day. Rather, inject the needle at a site that is slightly away, say around 1cm, from the previous injection. You can also consider switching sides while injecting, like choosing the right side on one day and the left side on the next day. This way, you can reduce the complications associated with repeated injections in the same site such as thickening of the fat tissue below the skin known as lipodystrophy, irritation, pain etc. After one to two weeks, you should move to another area of your body (eg. from the stomach to the arms or thighs) as advised by your doctor. Consult your doctor if you face any problems while injecting Insulin Glargine.