This article describes insulin glargine injection’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for insulin glargine. If you want to know more about insulin glargine injection, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Insulin glargine injection is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Basaglar, Lantus, Rezvoglar, and Semglee.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.
Form and strengths of insulin glargine
Insulin glargine injection comes as follows:
- Form: injectable solution that you’ll inject under the skin
- Strengths:
- 100 units per milliliter (mL) in a 10-mL vial
- 100 units per mL in a 3-mL prefilled pen
Dosage of insulin glargine
This article describes the recommended dosages for insulin glargine injection. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of insulin glargine injection without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of insulin glargine in adults
Usually, doctors calculate your starting dosage and any dosage changes based on your needs, blood sugar levels, and treatment goals. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of insulin glargine injection that gives the desired outcome.
For type 1 diabetes, the usual starting dosage of insulin glargine is one-third of your total daily insulin requirements. You’ll inject this dose under the skin once per day. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting insulin for use before meals for the rest of your insulin requirements.
For type 2 diabetes, the usual starting dosage is as follows:
- Dose: 0.2 units per kilogram, up to a maximum dose of 10 units
- Frequency: once per day
Dosages of insulin glargine in children
Doctors may prescribe insulin glargine to children with diabetes. The dosage guidelines are the same as described above for adults.
Dosage adjustments for insulin glargine
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of insulin glargine injection based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- how your blood sugar level changes in response to the starting dose
Missed dose of insulin glargine
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of insulin glargine injection. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of insulin glargine injection and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about insulin glargine injection and its dosage.
Should I give my dose of insulin glargine at bedtime?
Possibly. You should take your dose of insulin glargine once per day, at the same time each day. In studies, people taking insulin glargine injected it at bedtime. But you may want or need to take your dose at a different time during the day. The most important thing is to take your dose at the same time each day.
Talk with your doctor to find out what time of day is best for you to take insulin glargine. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Is insulin glargine used long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe insulin glargine injection as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take insulin glargine injection, talk with your doctor.
How insulin glargine is given
You’ll inject insulin glargine under the skin once per day. You should inject it at the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to inject insulin glargine. They’ll help you decide where to inject it. They’ll also explain how to rotate injection sites. (This means you’ll use a different spot of skin for each injection.) You can find detailed instructions in the prescribing information on how to use insulin glargine.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Insulin glargine coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for insulin glargine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
