Lantus SoloStar, Humalog KwikPen, and More: 7 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 seven 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.

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

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.

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.

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3. Toujeo SoloStar

Toujeo SoloStar (insulin glargine) also contains the same insulin as Lantus SoloStar and is approved for people ages 6 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.

Toujeo also has unbranded biosimilars available. They’re made by the same manufacturer as Toujeo but have the chemical name (insulin glargine) on the packaging. The FDA considers them to be equivalent to Toujeo. Plus, they can help lower costs.

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 most insulins on this list. This can help provide more stable blood glucose (sugar) levels throughout the day.

When you’re injecting the medication, Tresiba FlexTouch makes an audible clicking noise to let you know the dose dial has reset to zero. You just have to hold the pen in place for 6 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.

5. Awiqli FlexTouch

Awiqli FlexTouch (insulin icodec-abae) is the first once-weekly insulin to be approved. It can be used in place of once-daily, long-acting insulins. It’s approved for adults living with Type 2 diabetes.

Similar to Tresiba FlexTouch, Awiqli FlexTouch makes a clicking noise when a dose has been injected. After the click, make sure to count slowly to 6 before removing the needle from your skin.

Awiqli FlexTouch will be available in two sizes: 1.5 mL and 1 mL. Each pen comes as a U-700 (700 units per mL). They can provide up to 700 units per injection and can be adjusted by 10-unit increments.

Awiqli FlexTouch was recently approved and hasn’t commercially launched yet. Savings opportunities will be available once the medication can be shipped to pharmacies.

6. 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 and older.

Humalog comes in three 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.

Unbranded biologic versions are available for all three Humalog insulin injection pens. This may help you save on the costs.

7. 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 are also two FDA-approved NovoLog biosimilars: Kirsty (insulin aspart-xjhz) and Merilog (insulin aspart-szjj).

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 were discontinued in December 2024. They stopped making Levemir due to global manufacturing issues and decreased insurance coverage.

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 continuous glucose monitor (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

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Written by:

Timothy Aungst, PharmD

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

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD, MWC

Christina Aungst, PharmD, MWC is a senior pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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