Starting 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: How often do I take LANTUS®?
A: Once a day. Most people take LANTUS® at bedtime, but you can take it at other
times if your healthcare provider says it’s okay. Just take it every day, at the
same time each day. You must test your blood sugar levels when taking insulin, such
as LANTUS®.
Q: Can I use LANTUS® with diabetes pills?
A: Yes. LANTUS® is often taken along with oral medicines. Be sure to tell your
doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change
the way insulin works.
Q: What should I do if I skip a shot of LANTUS®?
A: Your doctor has specific instructions for you regarding when to take LANTUS®.
Before starting your LANTUS® regimen, be sure to ask your doctor what to do
if you forget to take your insulin.
Q: What if the spot I inject gets red, swollen, or itchy?
A: This is called an injection-site reaction and should clear up within a few days
or weeks. If it doesn’t go away, or if these reactions continue, tell your doctor.
Make sure you change injection sites from one injection to the next.
Q: Will it take long to get to the right dose of LANTUS®?
A: Your healthcare provider may change your LANTUS® dose several times over
the first few months. But stick with it—changing your dose to find what works
best for you is important. Even after you find the right dose, your healthcare provider
may adjust it from time to time. The goal will always be better 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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