Lantus Solostar

The active ingredient in Lantus Solostar is insulin glargine. Insulin glargine is a type of basal insulin and a human insulin analog. This insulin has a longer duration of action to help manage blood sugar levels. Insulin therapy works to lower high blood glucose levels by stimulating our muscles and our fat to take up glucose from the blood and by blocking our liver from making more. It also blocks fat and protein breakdown, leaving more fat and muscle for glucose to be absorbed from the bloodstream. If high blood sugar levels are left untreated, patients can develop a number of complications related to their heart, eyes, nerves, and kidneys. In Type 1 diabetes, it can increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that Lantus Solostar cannot treat.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide, before using Lantus Solostar. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Lantus Solostar:

• Lantus Solostar should be used exactly as prescribed. The insulin dose you use will depend on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) your age, blood glucose control, type of diabetes, and prior insulin use.
• Before using, check the insulin to ensure it is clear and colorless. Cloudy pens or vials, as well as those that are past their expiration date, should not be used and should be taken to your pharmacy to be disposed of.
• It is a subcutaneous injection that is injected in the abdominal area, thigh, or deltoid once a day. You should be injecting at the same time every day. Ensure you rotate your injection site each day to minimize the risk of adverse injection site reactions or lipodystrophy. Change the needle each time to prevent infection, and do not share needles with others. Dispose of used needles in a sharps container that you can get from your local pharmacy. If using syringes with the vial, do not attempt to remove the needle from the syringe after injecting Lantus. Simply dispose of both in your sharps container.
• Do not mix the insulin with any other insulin or solutions.
• Do not use in an insulin pump.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Lantus Solostar affects you. Sometimes, the initial dose can be too high and cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar events that can affect your daily functioning.
• Do not drink alcohol or use over-the-counter medications that contain alcohol while on Lantus Solostar. Alcohol lowers blood glucose, and when combined with insulin, could cause hypoglycemic events.
• If you miss a dose, contact your prescriber or pharmacist. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

The most common side effects of Lantus Solostar include:

• Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. If left unaddressed, this could be life-threatening. Watch for symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, confusion, headache, changes in vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, increased irritability, mood swings, or increased appetite.
• Injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, or pain at the site of injection
• Skin thickening or buildup of fat at the injection site (lipodystrophy)
• Itchiness or rash
• Weight gain
• Swelling

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Lantus Solostar. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Signs of hypokalemia or low potassium levels in the blood such as muscle weakness, cramping, spasms, and heart palpitations.
• New onset of shortness of breath, swelling of the lower limbs and feet, and sudden weight gain. These may be symptoms of heart failure, which can develop if Lantus Solostar is used with TZDs.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, hives, rash, or swelling of the face or body.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Lantus Solostar. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Lantus Solostar, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including whether you have:

• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Use thiazolidinediones or TZDs
• Heart failure or any other heart problems
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed

Do not use Lantus Solostar if you have:

• Hypoglycemia or a low blood sugar event
• An allergy to insulin glargine or any of the other ingredients in Lantus Solostar

Lantus Solostar is a long-acting insulin, so it does not peak in the body. It typically starts to work in about 1 to 2 hours, and levels will remain steady for up to 24 hours.

When Lantus Solostar is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Other diabetes medications including GLP1 agonists, DPP4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors
• ACE inhibitors
• ARBs
• Disopyramide
• Fibrates
• Fluoxetine
• MAOIs
• Pentoxifylline
• Pramlintide
• Salicylates
• Somatostatin analogs such as octreotide
• Sulfonamides
• Atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine
• Corticosteroids
• Danazol
• Diuretics
• Estrogens
• Glucagon
• Isoniazid
• Niacin
• Oral contraceptives
• Phenothiazines
• Progestogens
• Protease inhibitors
• Somatropin
• Sympathomimetic agents such as albuterol, epinephrine, and terbutaline
• Thyroid hormones
• Beta-blockers
• Clonidine
• Lithium
• Pentamidine
• Guanethidine
• Reserpine

Lantus Solostar vials are available as 10 mL vials (100 units/mL).

Lantus Solostar pens are available as 3 mL pens (100 units/mL).

Lantus Solostar vials and pens that have not been used yet should be kept in the fridge. Once opened, the vials can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature for up to 28 days, while the pens should be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days (do not refrigerate pens once opened).

Lantus Solostar is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis.

Currently, there is no generic available for the brand-name Lantus Solostar.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing medications while using Lantus Solostar.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.