What is Lantus: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take this medicine as prescribed. Please read the Patient Information sheet that’s included with this medicine.

Lantus is taken once per day at the same time of day each day.

Lantus is given as a shot under your skin.

When Lantus is first prescribed, a healthcare professional will demonstrate how to administer an injection and where on the body to make an injection. Make sure these instructions are fully understood before giving injections at home.

This medicine comes with illustrated Instructions for Use. Please read and follow these instructions each time an injection is administered.

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

How to prepare the injection:

• Remove the vial or pen injector from the refrigerator one to two hours before administering an injection.

• Inspect the pen or vial before giving an injection. 

• Make sure it contains the correct form of insulin and is undamaged.

• Make sure the medicine is clear, colorless, and free from particles. If not, do not use the injector pen or the medicine in the vial.

• Use a new syringe and needle each time an injection is made. Use a new needle with the injection pen each time an injection is made.

• If you use an ordinary syringe and needle, use only the needles approved for this medicine.

• Attach the needle to the pen or syringe. 

• Perform a safety check as outlined in the Instructions for Use. Failure to do so may mean injecting the wrong dose. 

• Select the dose on the injection pen. 

• For the needle and syringe, fill the syringe as outlined in the Instructions for Use.

How to prepare the skin for an injection:

• Lantus is administered as a subcutaneous injection, that is, it is injected right below the skin. Do not inject Lantus into a vein or muscles.

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

• Do not inject Lantus into skin that is bruised, hard, scaly, tender, or scarred. 

• Wash your hands.

• Wipe the skin with an alcohol swab before giving an injection.

How to administer an injection with the Lantus SoloStar:

• Insert the needle into the skin.

• Press the injection button. The dose indicator will gradually move to “0.”

• Keep the needle inserted for 10 seconds.

• Remove the needle from the skin when finished.

• Put the outer cap back on the needle. 

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

How to administer an injection with a syringe and needle:

• Pinch the skin.

• Insert the needle into the skin as instructed by the prescriber.

• Slowly push in the plunger.

• Hold the needle in the skin for 10 seconds.

• Pull the needle out of the skin.

• Press down on the injection site but don’t rub or massage it.

• Remove the needle and dispose of it in a sharps container.

Store unused Lantus pens and unopened vials in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Throw away the medicine if it freezes.

Both used Lantus pens and opened vials can be stored in a refrigerator or at room temperature (up to 86°F).

Used Lantus pens and opened vials are good for 28 days. After 28 days, throw away any unused medicine.

Insulin should be protected from light and kept out of the reach and sight of children.

Ask the prescribing healthcare professional what to do in case a dose of Lantus is missed.

The prescriber may give you one or several options (but do not do any of these unless advised by a doctor):

• You may be able to give the missed dose within a certain window of time

• You may be able to inject a lower Lantus dose

• You may need to skip the missed dose and treat high blood sugar throughout the day with fast-acting insulin

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

If a dose is missed, remember to test blood sugar levels and monitor for signs of high or low blood sugar.

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

Lantus is contraindicated in anyone who has had an allergic reaction to insulin glargine.

Do not use Lantus when blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia).

Do not use Lantus in an insulin pump.

Insulin use requires regular checkups and blood tests. Keep all appointments.

Make sure doctors and other healthcare providers treating you know that you are taking Lantus or any other long-acting insulin. 

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

Before starting Lantus, tell the prescriber if you have:

• Liver problems

• Kidney problems

• Heart problems or heart failure

Always tell the prescriber about significant changes in physical activity, diet, stress, illness, or medicine use. These changes may affect Lantus doses.

Lantus can cause serious problems including low blood sugar and low potassium. Be familiar with the symptoms and what to do when they occur.

People taking insulin are more likely to get injured accidentally. Do not drive or do any other potentially hazardous activity until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful around the house and at work.

To avoid spreading or getting infections, never share your Lantus SoloStar pen, syringes, or needles with other people.

Do not give injections into thickened or scarred skin. Doing so will change the effectiveness of the injection and could result in high blood sugar.

Because many different types of drugs affect blood sugar levels, those drugs also can cause hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia unless Lantus doses are changed.

Before starting Lantus, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, even if you use some of those drugs or supplements occasionally.

Tell other healthcare providers you are taking insulin before they prescribe new medications.

Always inform the prescriber about any new drugs or supplements that you start taking. 

Some drugs such as beta blockers mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia. They don’t affect Lantus but need to be used with caution in anyone taking insulin.

When combined with diabetic drugs called thiazolidinediones, insulin increases the risk of fluid retention. It could worsen or bring on heart failure.

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