Already on LANTUS® FAQs
The questions and answers on this page are for educational purposes only. If you
have questions about your health or treatment, please ask your doctor or healthcare
provider.
Q: Can I use LANTUS® along with short- or rapid-acting insulins?
A: Yes. LANTUS® can be used with mealtime insulins. LANTUS® helps control
blood sugar levels between meals and overnight. Mealtime insulin (short- or rapid-acting
insulin) is taken with meals and snacks to control blood sugar spikes caused by
food. So your doctor may prescribe a mealtime insulin to work with LANTUS®.
Q: How much can I exercise while taking LANTUS®?
When you exercise, your muscles use up sugar. The harder you work out, the more
your blood sugar levels fluctuate. That’s why before starting any exercise program,
talk to your doctor first. Generally, people with diabetes should always exercise
in moderation, and make sure they have food and water with them.
Q: What should I do if I become pregnant?
A: LANTUS® has not been studied in pregnant women. It is important to maintain
good blood sugar control throughout pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, call your doctor
immediately to learn how to manage your blood sugar.
Q: Will I always be on the same dose of LANTUS®?
A: Probably not. At first, your healthcare provider may adjust your dose of LANTUS®
to find what works for you. You may start with a low dose to see how well LANTUS®
helps control your blood sugar. Once you are comfortable with your starting dose,
your healthcare provider may increase the amount. This change is a normal part of
the process of improving your blood sugar levels. If, after you start taking LANTUS®,
your blood sugar level stays too high, and your healthcare provider doesn’t change
your dose, ask why.
Q: Does taking more insulin mean I am getting worse?
A: No, not necessarily. Your healthcare provider is just finding the right dose
for your body. Different people need different doses of LANTUS®. So work with
your healthcare team to find the dose that gives you good blood sugar control.
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
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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