Lantus vs. Novolog for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Lantus (insulin glargine) and NovoLog (insulin aspart) are both insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. However, they belong to different classes of insulin. Lantus is a long-acting insulin, typically injected once daily, while NovoLog is a fast-acting insulin, usually taken multiple times a day before meals. Lantus is available as a vial and a prefilled pen, whereas NovoLog comes in vials and various prefilled pen options. Both medications can cause low blood sugar and weight gain as possible side effects. Both medications have a brand-name and generic form available. NovoLog can be used in insulin pumps whereas Lantus is not used in insulin pumps. Both medications require careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and should not be shared to avoid infections.

Lantus

(insulin glargine)

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NovoLog

(insulin aspart)

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Summary for Lantus

Prescription only

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a type of long-acting insulin. It's used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Lantus (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin once daily. Your dose will depend on a few things, such as the type of diabetes you have and your blood sugar levels. This medication comes in a vial (Lantus) as well as in a prefilled insulin pen (Lantus Solostar). Some side effects include upper respiratory tract infections. It can also cause redness and swelling at the injection site.

Indications for Lantus

Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

Pros and Cons for Lantus

Pros

Helps keep your blood sugar controlled for about 24 hours
Injected once daily
Approved for both adults and children
Available as a vial and prefilled pen

Cons

Given as an injection under the skin
Has a risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar
Might cause weight gain
Can't be mixed with other insulins within the same syringe

Common Side Effects for Lantus

Type 1 diabetes

Upper respiratory tract infection (22%)
Other infection (9%)
Accidental injury (6%)
Headache (6%)

Type 2 diabetes

Upper respiratory tract infection (11%)
Other infection (10%)
Eye problem (6%)

Warnings for Lantus

Risk of infection from sharing pens and needles
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin routine
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low potassium levels
Swelling and risk of heart failure when using with certain diabetes medications
Severe allergic reaction

Summary for Novolog

Prescription only

NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar into your body so it can be used for energy. NovoLog (insulin aspart) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. It's typically injected under the skin at mealtimes, but it can also be given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider for people in the hospital. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Indications for Novolog

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Novolog

Pros

Starts to work within 10 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
Dose can be easily adjusted to make treatment tailored to your specific needs
Can use if you have liver or kidney problems
Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use

Cons

Given multiple times per day (before each meal)
Must give as an injection
Might be hard for some people to inject properly
Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain

Common Side Effects for Novolog

Type 1 diabetes:

Severely low blood sugar (17%)
Headache (12%)
Accidental injury (11%)
Nausea (7%)
Diarrhea (5%)

Type 2 diabetes:

Muscles slow to react (11%)
Severely low blood sugar (10%)
Fungal nail infection (10%)
Impairment of your senses (9%)
Urinary tract infection (8%)
Sinus infection (5%)
Chest pain (5%)
Stomach pain (5%)
Headache (5%)
Skin problems (5%)

Warnings for Novolog

Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)