{"id":634003,"date":"2025-10-20T16:32:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T20:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=634003"},"modified":"2025-10-20T16:32:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T20:32:22","slug":"semglee-vs-lantus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/semglee-vs-lantus\/","title":{"rendered":"Semglee vs. Lantus: Differences and similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Semglee<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Lantus<\/span><\/a> are two brand-name injectable medications used to treat both <\/span>Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. They both contain <\/span>insulin glargine<\/span><\/a>, a synthetic form of human <\/span>insulin<\/span><\/a>, which regulates <\/span>blood sugar levels<\/span><\/a> by helping the body maintain steady insulin levels throughout the day. Though these two insulins are highly similar, they differ slightly in chemical structure, as well as price and insurance coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between Semglee and Lantus?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Semglee<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Lantus<\/span><\/a> are nearly identical biologics. They are both brand-name, long-acting insulin glargine available in multi-dose vials and single-use prefilled pens. Both are injected under the skin (subcutaneously) every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, these insulin products have slightly different chemical structures. Lantus is insulin glargine, whereas Semglee is insulin-glargine-yfgn. \u201cSemglee is designed to be almost identical to Lantus, but they are derived from different organisms: One is created from bacteria, and the other is made from yeast,\u201d says <\/span>Troy Alexander-EL<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified internal medicine and primary care physician in Portland, Oregon.<\/span><\/p>\n

They also have different average retail prices because Lantus came first \u2014 Semglee is an \u201c<\/span>interchangeable biosimilar<\/span><\/a>\u201d of Lantus.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Semglee vs. Lantus key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nSemglee<\/b><\/td>\nLantus<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAntidiabetic, long-acting insulin<\/span><\/td>\nAntidiabetic, long-acting insulin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/p>\n

Or<\/b><\/p>\n

What is the brand name?<\/b><\/td>\n

Insulin glargine-yfgn<\/span><\/td>\nInsulin glargine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\n\u202210 mL vial or<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 3 mL prefilled pen\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

\u2022 10 mL vial or<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 3 mL prefilled pen (called Lantus SoloStar)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus<\/span><\/td>\nAdult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Semglee vs. Lantus: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both <\/span>Semglee<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Lantus<\/span><\/a> are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)\u00a0 for <\/span>glucose management<\/span><\/a> in people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Semglee vs. Lantus conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nSemglee<\/b><\/td>\nLantus<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type 1 diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Are Semglee and Lantus interchangeable?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The short answer: Yes, Semglee and Lantus are considered interchangeable. In fact, the <\/span>FDA<\/span><\/a> states that anyone prescribed Lantus is legally allowed to swap it for Semglee at the pharmacy without consulting their prescriber.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStudies done to compare both Semglee and Lantus have shown that there is no meaningful difference in how they work, and how effective or safe they are,\u201d says <\/span>Cynthia Odogwu<\/span><\/a>, MD, a Maryland-based, board-certified family medicine physician and founder of <\/span>Kambili Health<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not all insulin products are interchangeable, but Semglee was approved in <\/span>July 2021<\/span><\/a> as an interchangeable biosimilar drug to Lantus. Being a <\/span>biosimilar<\/span><\/a> isn\u2019t quite the same as a generic drug. A biosimilar insulin product is very similar in structure to the reference product and is considered <\/span>just as effective<\/span><\/a> as the original. In this case, Lantus is an insulin glargine product, whereas Semglee is an insulin glargine-yfgn product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Semglee vs. Lantus: Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n

Insurance coverage of Semglee and Lantus varies by health plan and can change from year to year. The best way to find out whether your plan covers <\/span>Semglee<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Lantus<\/span><\/a> is to contact your insurance provider. Most plans do cover insulin, which is a critical treatment for people with diabetes, but some plans offer better coverage for certain insulin products over others. According to the<\/span>\u00a0 American Diabetes Association<\/span><\/a>, most Medicare recipients can access free insulin, but exactly which insulin product is offered varies by state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patients paying the cash price for Semglee or Lantus can save on insulin by using SingleCare coupons. For instance, the average retail price of Lantus is $320 for 1, 10 mL of a 100-unit\/mL vial. A free<\/span> SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> or<\/span> coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower the price to $65 for the same vial. Similarly, the average cost of Semglee is $110 per 1, 3 mL of a 100-unit\/mL pen, but using a<\/span> SingleCare coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower that price to $20.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Semglee vs. Lantus cost and coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nSemglee<\/b><\/td>\nLantus<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan.<\/span><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan.<\/span><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by plan.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicaid?<\/b><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by state.<\/span><\/td>\nYes, but coverage varies by state.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n1, 3 mL of 100 unit\/mL pen<\/span><\/td>\n1, 10mL of 100 unit\/mL vial<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$20 at Kroger<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n$65 at Kroger<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of 10\/20\/2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the \u201cSingleCare cost\u201d link to see the latest drug prices.<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Save on diabetes medication and supplies<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Lantus vs. Semglee side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Remember, <\/span>Lantus<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> Semglee<\/span><\/a> are biosimilar drugs. <\/span>\u201cThere is no difference in side effects between the medicines,\u201d Dr. Odogwu says.<\/span> Both can cause the following potential side effects:<\/span><\/p>\n