Many diabetics wonder how to inject Lantus insulin? Let's take a closer look. This is an insulin-containing sugar-lowering drug. The active component is represented by insulin glargine - an analogue of human insulin.
In the preparation, it is in a complete dissolved state, which is achieved by a special acidic environment. The tool is intended for subcutaneous administration, in which the process of neutralizing the acid occurs with the formation of microprecipitate, followed by the gradual release of insulin glargine in small doses. It is this chain that ensures the gradual flow of insulin into the blood. The drug has a prolonged effect due to the microprecipitate form.
Pharmacological characteristics
Lantus insulin has a special quality: affinity for insulin receptors, which is similar to the related properties of human insulin with some features.
The main task of any type of insulin is the process of regulating glucose metabolism (carbohydrate metabolism). The function of Lantus SoloStar insulin is to accelerate the consumption of glucose by tissues: muscle and fat, which in turn leads to a decrease in blood sugar. In addition, the drug inhibits glucosynthesis in the liver.
Insulin has the ability to activate protein synthesis, at the same time, it inhibits the proteolysis and lipolysis processes in the body.
The duration of the Lantus insulin action depends on various factors, and the degree of a person’s physical activity matters.
The drug has the ability to slow absorption, which, accordingly, provides a prolonged effect of its action. For this reason, a single injection of the drug during the day is enough. It is important to note that the product has an unstable effect and acts depending on the time.
The use of Lantus insulin in childhood and adolescence causes a much rarer number of cases of hypoglycemia at night than the use of NPH-insulin for this category of patients.
Due to the prolonged action and slow absorption during subcutaneous administration, insulin glargine does not cause a peak drop in blood sugar, this is its main advantage compared to NPH-insulin. The half-life of human insulin and insulin glargine are the same when given intravenously. These are the properties of insulin Lantus.
Indications for use
The scope is the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes in adult patients and children over 6 years of age. It is important to take it, following the instructions.
How to use the drug?
Insulin "Lantus" is indicated for subcutaneous administration. Intravenous administration is prohibited, since even a single dose leads to the development of severe hypoglycemia.
Instilled the use of the drug:
- It is important to observe a certain lifestyle for the period of treatment and compliance with the rules and injection regimen.
- There are several options for drug administration sites in patients: in the hips, in the deltoid muscles and in the abdominal areas.
- Each injection should be carried out whenever possible in a new area within the recommended limits.
- It is forbidden to mix Lantus and other drugs, as well as dilute it with water or other liquids.
Dosage
The dosage of insulin "Lantus SoloStar" is determined individually. The dosage regimen and time are also selected. The only recommendation is a single injection of the drug per day, and it is very desirable that the injections be given at the same time.
The drug can be combined with oral diabetes therapies of the second type.
Elderly patients need a dose adjustment, since they often have pathologies of kidney function, as a result of which insulin demand is reduced. This also applies to elderly patients with impaired liver function. The processes of insulin metabolism are slowed down, plus there is a decrease in gluconeogenesis.
This confirms the insulin "Lantus" instructions for use.
Transfer of patients to the drug
If the patient had previously been treated with other long-acting medicines or close to them, then in the case of switching to Lantus, it is likely that dose adjustment of the main type of insulin may be necessary, and this will entail a review of all therapeutic tactics.
When there is a transition from a double administration of the basal form of NPH insulin to a single injection of Lantus insulin, it is necessary to carry out the transition in stages. First, the dose of NPH-insulin is reduced by a third during the first 20 days of a new stage of therapy. The dose of insulin that is administered in connection with meals is slightly increased. After 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to conduct an individual dosage selection for the patient.
If the patient has antibodies to insulin, the body's response to Lantus administration changes, which, accordingly, may require dose adjustment. Also, the determination of the amount of the administered drug may be required when other factors affecting the metabolism and the role of the drug in the body change, for example, a change in body weight or lifestyle to a more active or, conversely, less.
How is insulin Lantus administered?
Drug administration
The drug is administered using special syringes “OptiPen”, “SoloStar”, “Pro1” and “ClickStar”.
Pens are supplied with instructions. Below are some points on how to use pens:
- Defective and broken pens cannot be used for injection.
- If necessary, the introduction of the drug from the cartridge can be carried out using a special insulin syringe, which has a scale of 100 units in 1 ml.
- Before you place the cartridge in the syringe pen, it must be kept for several hours at room temperature.
- Before using the cartridge, make sure that the solution inside it has a normal appearance: there is no color change, turbidity and no precipitate.
- It is mandatory to remove air bubbles from the cartridge (this is stated in the instructions for the handles).
- Cartridges are for single use only.
- It is mandatory to check the labels on the cartridge labels to avoid the erroneous administration of another drug instead of Lantus insulin.
According to reviews, one of the most common adverse effects with the introduction of this drug is hypoglycemia. This occurs if the individual selection of the dose of the drug is made incorrectly. In this case, a dose review is required to reduce it.
Side effects are also observed in the form of:
- lipohypertrophy and lipoatrophy;
- dysgeusia;
- decrease in visual acuity;
- retinopathy;
- allergic manifestations of both local and generalized nature;
- muscle pain and sodium ion retention in the body.
This is indicated by the instructions attached to the Lantus insulin.
Hypoglycemia as a side effect occurs quite often. This, in turn, leads to disruption of the nervous system. A long period of hypoglycemia is dangerous to the life and health of the patient.
Possible production of antibodies to insulin.
In children, the occurrence of the above side effects is also noted.
Lantus and pregnancy
There are no clinical data on the effect of the drug during pregnancy, since clinical trials on pregnant women have not been conducted. However, according to post-market research, the drug does not have any negative effect on the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy.
Clinical experiments in animals have proven the absence of toxic and pathological effects of insulin glargine on the fetus.
If necessary, it is possible to prescribe the drug during pregnancy, subject to regular laboratory monitoring of glucose indicators and the general condition of the expectant mother and fetus.
Contraindications
They are as follows:
- hypoglycemia;
- intolerance to the active and auxiliary components of the drug;
- Lantus therapy is not performed for diabetic ketoacidosis;
- children under 6 years old;
- with extreme caution, the drug is prescribed to patients with proliferative retinopathy and narrowing of cerebral and coronary vessels;
- with the same caution, the drug is prescribed to patients with autonomic neuropathy, mental disorders, slowly progressing development of hypoglycemia, as well as those who have been diagnosed with diabetes for a long time;
- with extreme caution, the drug is prescribed to patients who received animal insulin before switching to human insulin.
The risk of hypoglycemia may increase with the following conditions that are not associated with the course of specific pathological processes:
- dyspeptic disorders accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting;
- intense physical activity;
- increased cellular sensitivity to insulin while eliminating the causes of the stressful situation;
- scarcity and imbalance of the diet;
- alcohol abuse
- the use of certain medications.
Interaction with other medicines
The following recommendations should be considered:
- combination with drugs that affect carbohydrate metabolism may require a dose review;
- combination with other oral drugs for the treatment of diabetes enhances the hypoglycemic effect of insulin;
- combination with such medicines as Danazol, Diazoxide, glucagon corticosteroid, estrogens and progestins, phenothiazine derivatives, protease inhibitors, thyroid hormone agents help to reduce the hypoglycemic effect of Lantus;
- combination with drugs such as clonidine, lithium, ethanol-based products have an unpredictable effect: there may be an increase or decrease in the effect of Lantus;
- the simultaneous administration of Lantus and Pentamidine may initially have a hypoglycemic effect, and subsequently a hyperglycemic effect.
Overdose
Incorrect selection of the dose of the drug towards overestimation can lead to severe and even life-threatening form of hypoglycemia. With mild symptoms of hypoglycemia, you can eliminate it by eating high-carb foods.
If hypoglycemic conditions while taking the drug are recurrent in nature, this is a signal for dose adjustment in the direction of decrease.
In more complicated cases of a hypoglycemic reaction, which manifest as convulsions and neurological symptoms, it is necessary to resort to medication by subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of Glucagon, or by intravenous injection of glucose (the solution must be strong).
The most severe case of hypoglycemic reactions is hypoglycemic coma.
You should always remember the prolonged action of the drug "Lantus", and even in the event of the disappearance of signs of hypoglycemia, further intake of carbohydrates and monitoring of the human body are necessary.
The composition of the drug
1 milliliter of the Lantus solution contains:
- 3.6378 milligrams of insulin glargine, the equivalent dose is 100 units;
- auxiliary components.
One cartridge contains 300 units of glargine.
Insulin "Lantus": analogues
Currently, the most common analogues of the hormone insulin are known:
- with ultra-short action - "Apidra", "Humalog", "Novorapid Penfill";
- with prolonged action - "Levemir Penfill", "Tresiba".
What are the differences between Tujeo and Lantus insulin? Which insulin is more effective? The first is available in syringes that are easy to use. Each contains a single dose. The main difference from Lantus is the concentration of synthesized insulin. The new drug contains an increased amount of 300 IU / ml. Due to this, you can do less injections per day.
True, due to a three-fold increase in concentration, the drug has become less versatile. If Lantus is allowed to be used for diabetes in children and adolescents, then Tujeo has limited use. The manufacturer recommended starting to use this tool from the age of 18.
Reviews
Many patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus leave highly controversial reviews about Lantus and drugs with a similar therapeutic effect. Mostly negative reviews are associated with the development of unwanted side effects. It should be remembered that the key to adequate therapy and its results is the correct selection of the dose and dosage regimen of this drug. Among many patients, opinions are heard that insulin does not help at all or causes complications. When the blood sugar level is already low, the drug only leads to a worsening of the condition, so it is important to use it in the early stages of the development of the disease in order to avoid the development of dangerous and irreversible complications.
Bodybuilders also leave reviews about the drug and, judging by them, the drug is perfectly used as an anabolic agent, which can also have an absolutely unpredictable effect on health, since it is used for other purposes.