What is Basaglar KiwkPen? Uses, warnings & side effects

Follow all directions given by the prescriber and healthcare team. 

Please read the Patient Information sheet that comes included with the pen.

Give one injection daily at the same time every day.

A healthcare provider will demonstrate how to administer an injection and where on the body to make an injection.

Read and follow the illustrated Instructions for Use that come with the KwikPen. 

A caregiver should administer KwikPen injections for people who are blind or have vision problems.

How to prepare the Basaglar KwikPen for an injection:

• Inspect the pen to make sure it contains the correct insulin, is undamaged, and that the medicine is clear, colorless, and free from particles. 

• Do not use the KwikPen if it is damaged or if the medicine is cloudy, discolored, or has floating particles.

• Attach the needle to the pen. Always use a new needle for each injection.

• Prime the pen as outlined in the Instructions for Use. 

• Select the dose on the pen. 

• The pen can only give doses as large as 80 units. If your dose is larger than 80 units, you will need to use two injections to complete the entire dose.

How to prepare the skin for an injection:

• Injections are made into the skin. Do not inject insulin into a muscle or a vein.

• Injections are given in the stomach area, buttocks, upper thigh, or upper arm. Use a different area of the body for each injection.

• Do not inject insulin into bruised, hard, scaly, tender, or scarred skin. 

• Wash your hands.

• Wipe the skin with an alcohol swab. Let dry.

How to administer an injection:

• Holding the pen perpendicular to the skin, insert the needle into the skin.

• Press the Dose Knob all the way in. Do not turn the knob.

• Keep the needle inserted while you slowly count to five.

• Pull the needle from the skin.

• Check the dose window. It should read “0.”

• If it does not read “0,” do not redial the dose. Insert the needle and press the dose knob again.

• If it still does not read “0,” do not try to give another dose. Monitor blood sugar for the rest of the day. 

• Carefully replace the outer needle shield. 

• Unscrew the capped needle from the injector and dispose of it in a sharps container.

Store unused KwikPens in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Dispose of the medicine if it freezes.

Store in-use KwikPens at room temperature (up to 86°F), protected from heat and light.

In-use KwikPens can be stored and reused for up to 28 days. After 28 days, dispose of any unused medicine.

Protect the KwikPen from light. 

Keep KwikPens out of the reach and sight of children.

The prescriber or healthcare team should provide a plan for managing missed doses. If not, ask for one and follow that plan.

The prescriber or healthcare team may advise that a missed dose: 

• Be taken within a specified number of hours after its regular time

• Be replaced by a remedial dose (lower dose) to be taken within a specified number of hours after the dose is missed

• Be skipped entirely, blood sugar be regularly monitored, and high blood sugar be managed with fast-acting insulin

If you don’t have clear instructions from the healthcare team, call or visit a doctor or urgent care.

If a Basaglar dose is not taken, test blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Never take two doses of insulin to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to insulin glargine.

Do not use Basaglar during hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes.

Insulin treatment requires regular check-ups and blood tests to make sure the dose is correct and that there are no side effects. Keep all appointments.

Make sure other doctors and other healthcare providers know you’re taking insulin. 

Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

The prescriber needs to know all your medical conditions before and during insulin treatment, particularly:

• Kidney problems

• Liver problems

Dietary and lifestyle changes can affect blood sugar levels and require changing insulin doses. Inform the prescriber about significant changes such as:

• Dietary changes

• Increase or decrease in physical activity or exercise

• Increased stress

• Illness

• Injury

• Upcoming or recent surgery

• New drugs or discontinued drugs

The most common side effect of insulin treatment is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The prescriber will teach you the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar. When these occur, follow the treatment steps given to you by your healthcare team.

Because hypoglycemia is a common side effect, people on insulin often experience accidents and injuries. Do not drive or engage in any other risky activity until you know you are stabilized on your insulin dose. 

Insulin treatment can also lower potassium levels. Review the clinical signs of low potassium (hypokalemia) with the prescriber and call a healthcare professional if they occur.

Never share the Basaglar KwikPen or needles with other people.

Make sure the prescriber knows about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, particularly:

• Diabetes drugs called thiazolidinediones

• Other diabetes drugs

• Salicylates such as aspirin 

• Blood pressure drugs called ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or beta blockers

• Cholesterol drugs called fibrates

• Corticosteroids

• Drugs that make you urinate (diuretics)

• Sulfonamide antibiotics

• Antiviral drugs called protease inhibitors

• Atypical antipsychotics or phenothiazine antipsychotics

• Birth control pills

• Female sex hormones (estrogens and progestogens)

• Thyroid hormones

• Drugs called sympathomimetics, like epinephrine or albuterol

• Drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Clonidine, danazol, disopyramide, fluoxetine, glucagon, guanethidine, isoniazid, niacin, pentamidine, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, reserpine, somatropin

Talk to your diabetes doctor when you start or stop a new drug or supplement.

Do not drink alcohol or use medications containing alcohol when taking insulin.