6 Insulin Side Effects You Should Know About
General insulin use may cause a few common side effects. Typical insulin side effects include irritation at the injection site, weight gain, and headaches.
Basaglar
Used for Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Gestational Diabetes
Used for Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Gestational Diabetes
Basaglar (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin. It's used to manage blood sugar levels in adults and children with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Basaglar (insulin glargine) is given as an injection under the skin once per day. Your healthcare team will determine your dose based on different things, such as your diet and your blood sugar levels. This medication comes as a pre-filled pen called Basaglar KwikPen, as well as a smart insulin pen called Basaglar Tempo Pen that can connect to a smartphone. Some side effects of this medication include low blood sugar levels and pain or swelling at the injection site.
What is Basaglar (insulin glargine)?
What is Basaglar (insulin glargine) used for?
- Type 1 diabetes in people ages 6 years and older
- Type 2 diabetes in adults
How Basaglar (insulin glargine) works
Basaglar (insulin glargine) is an insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone your body makes to control blood sugar levels. It helps your body absorb and store sugar from the bloodstream after a meal. Insulin also stops your liver from making glucose (sugar). But people with diabetes can't make insulin, don't make enough insulin, or their body doesn't respond to insulin as it should.
Basaglar (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin. It helps control blood sugar levels throughout the day. Basaglar (insulin glargine) is used by people who don't make insulin or need more insulin than what their body can produce.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Basaglar |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Insulin |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Basaglar (insulin glargine) essentials
Side effects of Basaglar (insulin glargine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Infection (up to 24%)
- Common cold (up to 16%)
- Respiratory tract infection (up to 8%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Low blood sugar levels
- Weight gain
- Reactions where the medication is injected (e.g., redness, swelling, itching)
- Fluid buildup
- Fat deposits under the skin or pitting of the skin where the medication is injected
Basaglar (insulin glargine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severely low blood sugar: dizziness, shakiness, feeling confused, feeling irritable or anxious, feeling faint, sweating, extreme hunger, can't think clearly
- Dangerously low potassium levels: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, abnormal heartbeat, tiredness, trouble breathing
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; hives; swelling of face, tongue, and throat; trouble breathing
More on Basaglar (insulin glargine) side effects
The following Basaglar (insulin glargine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
- Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Lipodystrophy—hardening or scarring of tissue at injection site
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Weight gain
Get your GoodRx coupon
$399.80
GoodRx discount
$228.82
Pros and cons of Basaglar (insulin glargine)
Pros
- Long-lasting insulin that provides consistent, all-day blood sugar control
- Given once per day
- Available as a prefilled pen that can easily fit into your purse or pocket
- Doses can be easily adjusted
- Can use in type 1 diabetic children as young as 6 years old
Cons
- Must be given as an injection under the skin
- Might be difficult for some people to administer correctly
- Can cause weight gain and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Doesn't come as a vial, which some people might prefer instead of prefilled pens
- Not available as a lower-cost generic yet
Pharmacist tips for Basaglar (insulin glargine)
- Store unopened Basaglar (insulin glargine) pens in the refrigerator until the expiration date, or at room temperature for up to 28 days. Opened pens that are in use should be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days. Don't put opened pens in the refrigerator.
- Ask your prescriber about when you should check your blood sugar during the day as you take Basaglar (insulin glargine). Keep a log of your blood sugar readings and show it to your prescriber at your office visits. This helps you and your prescriber keep track of how well Basaglar (insulin glargine) is working for you and whether you need dose adjustments.
- Using Basaglar (insulin glargine) can raise your risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels. It's important that you and your caregiver know how to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar level, such as sweating, shakiness, anxiety, and hunger.
- When you're using Basaglar (insulin glargine), make sure to always carry fast-acting sugars with you so that you can bring your blood sugar levels up when it drops too low.
How to inject Basaglar (insulin glargine):
- Your care team will give you training on how to administer Basaglar (insulin glargine). Make sure you review the instructions for the specific pen you have, either the KwikPen or Tempo Pen, to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Contact your care team if you have any questions.
- Basaglar (insulin glargine) can be used at the same time as other types of insulin, such as mealtime or short-acting insulin. Before a dose, double check that you're using the correct insulin product and that your dose (number of units) that you've prepared is correct. This is important to prevent dosing mistakes that could lead to dangerously low blood sugar if you accidentally inject too much insulin.
- Before you inject Basaglar (insulin glargine), check that the insulin in the pen is clear and colorless without any particles (solid chunks). If it isn't, don't use the pen and ask your pharmacist for a replacement.
- You can inject the medication into the skin of your stomach area (2 inches away from your belly button), thighs, buttocks, or back of your upper arms. Be sure to rotate injection site with each Basaglar (insulin glargine) dose to prevent hard lumps from forming in your skin. Avoid injecting into skin that has pits, is thickened, or has lumps. Also, avoid injecting into skin that's tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, or damaged to prevent more irritation.
- Always use a new needle for each Basaglar (insulin glargine) injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles. Don't reuse or share your needles with other people to avoid spreading infections.
- Throw away all used needles and empty Basaglar (insulin glargine) pens in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic, such as an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle. This helps lower the risk of needle-stick injuries. Don't throw away needles and pens in your trash can.
Risks and warnings for Basaglar (insulin glargine)
Basaglar (insulin glargine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of infections with pen sharing
Never share Basaglar (insulin glargine) pens, syringes, or needles with anyone else. Sharing Basaglar (insulin glargine) puts you and the person who's also using the same pen at risk of getting very dangerous infections and health conditions.
Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
Changing your insulin or insulin routine, such as where you inject Basaglar (insulin glargine), can affect how your body responds to insulin. This can lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. In addition, injecting Basaglar (insulin glargine) repeatedly into skin areas that shows signs of lipodystrophy, such as pitting or thickened skin, can also result in high blood sugar levels.
Don't make changes to your Basaglar (insulin glargine) dose or routine without first checking in with your diabetes care team. Make sure to avoid injecting into skin areas that show signs of lipodystrophy. If your care team instructs you to make any changes to your insulin routine, they'll also ask you to check your blood sugar levels more often to see how the changes affect your blood sugar levels.
Dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Basaglar (insulin glargine) | Liver or kidney problems | Not using Basaglar (insulin glargine) correctly
Using Basaglar (insulin glargine) alone or together with other medications that lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar levels. If not treated in time, it can be life-threatening.
Check your blood sugar level regularly to make sure it's within a safe range. If your diabetes care team instructs you to mix different insulins together, read the label of the insulins carefully to make sure you're using the right products. But remember, Basaglar (insulin glargine) should never be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe. If you make any changes to your diet or meal patterns, other medications, or how much you exercise, let your care team know because they might need to adjust your dose of Basaglar (insulin glargine).
Make sure you're familiar with symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, sweating or body chills, and excessive hunger. Keep fast-acting sugars, such as glucose tablets, with you at all times so you can treat an episode of hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar levels don't improve even after you take fast-acting sugars, get medical help right away.
Low blood potassium levels
- Risk factors: Taking other medications with Basaglar (insulin glargine) that lower potassium
Basaglar (insulin glargine) can cause low potassium levels in your blood, which can be dangerous. You're at higher risk if you're already taking medications that can lower potassium levels, such as loop diuretics. Because people with low blood potassium levels typically don't experience any symptoms, your care team might order blood tests to check your potassium levels regularly. And if needed, they'll prescribe you medications to bring your potassium level within a safe range. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of low potassium levels such as weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, and constipation.
Swelling and heart failure when used with certain diabetes medications
- Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with Basaglar (insulin glargine) | History of heart failure
Taking Basaglar (insulin glargine) with glitazones (also known as thiazolidinediones), like pioglitazone (Actos), can cause your body to hold onto fluid. This can lead to or worsen heart failure because the additional fluid can put stress on your heart and cause symptoms such as trouble breathing or the inability to exercise.
Make sure to tell your diabetes care team if you have heart failure or if you're taking a glitazone before starting Basaglar (insulin glargine).
Severe allergic reactions
Rarely, Basaglar (insulin glargine) can cause a serious, life-threatening reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis). If you experience swelling in your lips, face, or tongue, rash, or trouble breathing, get medical help right away.
Basaglar (insulin glargine) dosage
The average cost for 1 carton of five 3ml kwikpens of 100 units/ml of Basaglar (insulin glargine) is $228.82 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 42.77% off the average retail price of $399.80. 
Carton
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| five 3ml kwikpens of 100 units/ml | 1 carton | $228.82 | $228.82 |
| five 3ml tempo pens of 100 units/ml | 1 carton | $322.89 | $322.89 |
Typical dosage for Basaglar (insulin glargine)
Your prescriber will work with you to find the dose that works best for you. Your dose depends on many things, such as whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels, and your weight. You might need to use a fast-acting insulin along with Basaglar.
- Type 1 diabetes: Your care team will help you calculate your total daily insulin (TDI) requirement. The typical starting dose is about 30% of your TDI requirement, injected under the skin once daily.
- Type 2 diabetes: Your care team will help you calculate your starting dose based on your body weight. The typical starting dose is 0.2 units/kg (up to 10 units) injected under the skin once daily.
How much does Basaglar (insulin glargine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Basaglar (brand)
$228.82
Basaglar (insulin glargine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Basaglar (insulin glargine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
What are alternatives to Basaglar (insulin glargine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Basaglar (insulin glargine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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