Lantus SoloStar, Humalog KwikPen, and More: 6 Insulin Pens to Know About

Insulin pens have simplified the way people living with diabetes manage their condition. These pens are often easier to transport and need less preparation than vials and syringes.

Many insulins come with a pen injector as an administration option. Each pen has its own set of features, dosage options, and active ingredients. Below, we review six of the most popular insulin pens currently on the market.

What is an insulin pen?

An insulin pen is an all-in-one insulin injection device. It’s called an insulin pen because the device resembles a pen you’d use to write with. Today, many insulin pens are available, and they come in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of insulin and manufacturer. But the overall concept is similar.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), most people prefer using insulin pens over insulin vials and syringes. Insulin pens are more convenient to carry around and easier to get a dose ready to inject. In fact, the ADA recommends insulin pens for people with vision problems or conditions that affect the hands, like arthritis.

Types of insulin pens

There are two types of insulin pens: disposable and reusable. Disposable pens come with insulin already in them. Once the insulin is all used up, you throw the device away. Reusable pens allow you to put a cartridge of insulin in them when it runs out. However, there aren't cartridges available for every type of insulin.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Types of insulin: Insulins can be split into categories based on how long they last. Read more about the types of insulin and how long each one lasts.

• Proper use: Many people prefer to use insulin injection pens over vials and syringes. Read about how to use an insulin pen and tips for successful injections here.

• Other diabetes injections: Insulin isn’t the only injectable medication that can help manage blood glucose levels. Read more about the various injectable diabetes medications and how they differ from each other.

1. Lantus SoloStar

Lantus SoloStar (insulin glargine) contains a long-acting insulin. Lantus is an FDA-approved insulin injection pen for adults and children ages 6 years and older who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Lantus is typically injected once a day. It’s recommended that you inject the medication at the same time each day, usually at bedtime. Each Lantus SoloStar pen contains 300 units of insulin glargine. You can administer up to 80 units per injection and adjust the dose in 1-unit increments.

The FDA has approved two interchangeable biosimilars to Lantus: Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) and Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr). These also come as insulin injection pens and can be substituted by a pharmacist for Lantus SoloStar, depending on your state’s laws.

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How to save on Lantus SoloStar

Insulin glargine is available as a reference medication in Lantus SoloStar. But you can also find it as a lower-cost biosimilar. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your prescription:

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over on the average retail price of Lantus SoloStar. Lantus’s price may be as low as $35 per month with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with a copay savings program. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 per month for Lantus SoloStar using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Lantus’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

• Save with a biosimilar. Depending on your location and situation, you may be able to opt for a lower-cost, biosimilar version of Lantus. Your diabetes care team can tell you more about the Semglee pen and Rezvoglar KwikPen, if applicable.

2. Basaglar KwikPen

Basaglar KwikPen (insulin glargine) contains the same type of insulin as Lantus SoloStar. But Basaglar is not a biosimilar to Lantus. So you must be prescribed Basaglar specifically to use the medication.

Like with Lantus, Basaglar is a long-acting insulin, usually injected once daily. It’s approved for adults and children who are at least 6 years old and have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Each Basaglar KwikPen contains 300 units of insulin glargine and can provide up to 80 units per injection. The insulin dose can be adjusted in 1-unit increments.

Basaglar also offers a Tempo Pen (a type of smart insulin pen). This version of Basaglar comes with a “smart” button that you can attach to Basaglar’s dose knob. It can help track the number of units you use and send the information to the TempoSmart app on a compatible smartphone. This app allows you to share this data with your diabetes care team. It can also pair with Dexcom-brand continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and certain wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch.

How to save on Basaglar KwikPen

Here are some ways you can save on Basaglar KwikPen:

• Save with a copay savings program. If you have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Basaglar KwikPen’s price may be as little as $35 per month with a manufacturer’s savings card.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Basaglar’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication at no charge.

3. Toujeo SoloStar

Toujeo SoloStar (insulin glargine) also contains the same insulin as Lantus SoloStar and is approved for people ages 6 years and older. But Toujeo is a more concentrated medication than Lantus. It contains three times the amount of insulin per milliliter — or 300 units of insulin glargine per milliliter versus 100 units.

Because of this, Toujeo can help lower the amount of fluid you need to inject with every dose. This can make for a more convenient and comfortable way to use higher doses of insulin glargine.

Toujeo offers two insulin injection pens. Toujeo SoloStar contains 450 units of insulin glargine per pen and can administer up to 80 units per injection. The dose can be adjusted in 1-unit increments. Toujeo Max SoloStar contains 900 units per pen and can administer up to 160 units per injection. The dose can be adjusted in 2-unit increments.

How to save on Toujeo SoloStar

GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on Toujeo SoloStar:

• Save with a copay savings program. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 per month for Toujeo SoloStar, using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Toujeo’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

4. Tresiba FlexTouch

Tresiba FlexTouch (insulin degludec) contains an ultra long-acting insulin, which is FDA approved for adults and children at least 1 year old who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. After you start using Tresiba, the medication lasts longer in the body than the other insulins on this list. This can help provide more stable blood sugar (glucose) levels throughout the day.

When you’re injecting the medication, Tresiba FlexTouch makes a unique clicking noise to let you know the dose dial has reset to zero. You just have to hold the pen in place for a few seconds after the click to make sure all the insulin has been injected.

Tresiba FlexTouch comes in two different doses: U-100 (100 units per mL) and U-200 (200 units per mL). The U-100 insulin pen can dial up doses in 1-unit increments. The U-200 pen measures doses in 2-unit increments. The U-100 pen can provide up to 80 units of insulin degludec per injection. And the U-200 pen can deliver up to 160 units per injection.

Tresiba is also available in the same doses as unbranded biologics. They’re made by the same manufacturer as Tresiba but have the chemical name (insulin degludec) on the packaging. They’re considered equivalent to Tresiba by the FDA and can help lower costs.

How to save on Tresiba FlexTouch

Here are some ways to save on Tresiba FlexTouch, which is available as both a reference medication and lower-cost unbranded biologic:

• Save with a copay savings program. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as low as $35 per month for Tresiba FlexTouch using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Tresiba’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

• Save with an unbranded biologic. Depending on your location and situation, you may be able to opt for an unbranded biologic version of Tresiba. Your diabetes care team can tell you more about unbranded biologic insulin degludec, if applicable.

5. Humalog KwikPen

Humalog KwikPen (insulin lispro) contains a rapid-acting insulin. Humalog is typically injected shortly before or right after a meal. And it’s approved to treat Type 1 or 2 diabetes in adults and children ages 3 years and older.

Humalog comes in four insulin injection pens. The Humalog Junior KwikPen is designed for children and people who are sensitive to insulin dose changes. With this pen, you can adjust doses by 0.5 units if needed. It comes as a U-100 (100 units per mL) dose and can provide up to 30 units per injection.

In addition, there’s a Humalog KwikPen that comes as a U-100 and one that comes as a U-200 (200 units per mL). The U-200 pen can be helpful for people who take higher doses of insulin. Both pens measure out insulin in 1-unit increments, up to a maximum of 60 units per injection. Humalog also offers a Tempo Pen in the U-100 concentration.

Similar to Tresiba, unbranded biologic versions are available for all three Humalog insulin injection pens. This may help you save on the costs.

How to save on Humalog KwikPen

Be sure to check out these ways to save on Humalog KwikPen:

• Save with a copay savings program. If you are uninsured or have commercial insurance and meet eligibility requirements, Humalog KwikPen’s price may be as little as $35 per month with a manufacturer’s savings card.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Humalog’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication at no charge.

• Save with an unbranded biologic. Depending on your location and situation, you may be able to opt for an unbranded biologic version of Humalog. Your diabetes care team can tell you more about unbranded biologic insulin lispro, if applicable.

6. NovoLog FlexPen

NovoLog FlexPen (insulin aspart) contains a rapid-acting insulin. NovoLog is FDA approved to treat diabetes in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. It’s usually injected 5 to 10 minutes before a meal.

The NovoLog FlexPen contains a total of 300 units of insulin aspart. It can provide up to 60 units per injection and can be adjusted in 1-unit increments. There’s also a lower-cost, unbranded biologic to NovoLog that’s made by the same manufacturer.

How to save on NovoLog FlexPen

Take a look at the ways you can save on NovoLog FlexPen:

• Save with a copay savings program. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 per month for NovoLog FlexPen, using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for NovoLog’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

• Save with an unbranded biologic. Depending on your location and situation, you may be able to opt for an unbranded biologic version of NovoLog. Your diabetes care team can tell you more about unbranded biologic insulin aspart, if applicable.

What happened to Levemir FlexPen?

In November 2023, Novo Nordisk announced their decision to stop making Levemir (both pens and vials). The FlexPens were discontinued in April 2024, and the vials will no longer be available after December 2024. They stopped making Levemir due to global manufacturing issues and decreased insurance coverage.

If you were previously using Levemir FlexPens, be sure to discuss other insulin pen options with your diabetes care team.

What is a smart insulin pen?

Smart insulin pens — or connected insulin pens (CIPs) — incorporate modern technology into their design. A smart insulin pen can connect to a smartphone app through Bluetooth and share data with other apps to help make dosage recommendations.

CIPs offer many features, such as:

• Being able to measure the temperature of the insulin and alert you if it’s too hot or cold

• Connecting with smartphone apps that provide personalized coaching, diet, and exercise recommendations

• Connecting with a CGM or insulin dose calculator to help you adjust your dose

• Reminding you when it’s time to take your insulin

• Sharing information about your insulin use with your diabetes care team

• Delivering more accurate doses, measuring by 0.5 units, if needed

Smart insulin pens are available in different designs, including:

• A pen with sensors, such as a smart cap or a sensor on the dial of the pen

• All-in-one smart pen that can be refilled with insulin

Who can benefit from a smart insulin pen?

Anyone who has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and uses insulin could get a smart insulin pen, but some people may find these devices more helpful than others. People who inject insulin many times a day may find a smart insulin pen particularly useful. This may be especially true for people who have to make dose changes based on meals (“sliding-scale” doses).

If you tend to have blood glucose levels that go up and down a lot, a smart insulin pen might also be a good option for you. Using information from your smart pen, your diabetes care team can recognize your blood glucose trends sooner. This can allow them to make more personalized decisions about your diabetes care.

Between giving reminders and connecting with dose calculators, smart insulin pens can make your daily injection process smoother. However, if you’re looking to lower your number of daily injections, an insulin pump may be a better option.

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Written by:

Timothy Aungst, PharmD

Timothy Aungst, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy practice for the past decade with different roles and responsibilities. He has served as an associate professor of pharmacy practice for almost a decade, a clinical pharmacist in outpatient cardiology management, and now in home healthcare.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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