Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Lantus vs. Semglee

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lantus (insulin glargine) and Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) are both long-acting insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. They are similar in that they contain the same active ingredient, are both injected under the skin once daily, and help control blood sugar levels throughout the day. However, there are some differences between the two medications. Semglee is an interchangeable biosimilar to Lantus, meaning it can be substituted for Lantus without needing approval from your prescriber. This makes Semglee a potentially lower-cost alternative. Both medications come in vials and prefilled pens. The side effects and risks, such as low blood sugar and weight gain, are similar for both medications.

  • Lantus (insulin glargine)
    Semglee (insulin glargine)
  • Lantus (insulin glargine)
    Semglee (insulin glargine)

  • Summary of Lantus vs. Semglee

    Summary for Insulin
    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.

    Summary for Insulin
    Prescription only

    Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn or 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. Semglee (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin, typically once daily. Your care team will determine your dose of Semglee (insulin glargine) based on different factors, such as your diet and blood sugar levels. Semglee (insulin glargine) comes as a vial and a prefilled insulin pen. Some side effects of this medication include redness and swelling at the injection site, and upper respiratory tract infections. <br> Semglee (insulin glargine) is an interchangeable biosimilar alternative to Lantus (insulin glargine).

  • Indications of Lantus vs. Semglee

    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
    •Type 2 diabetes (T2D)
    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
    •Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

  • Pros and Cons of Lantus vs. Semglee

    Pros and Const for Insulin
    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
    Pros and Const for Insulin
    Pros
    •Can control your blood sugar levels for about 24 hours
    •Can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days
    •Available in 2 dosage forms: insulin pen and vial
    •Can be substituted for Lantus (insulin glargine)
    Cons
    •Given as an injection
    •Raises risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels
    •Might cause weight gain
    •Can't be mixed with other insulins within the same syringe

  • Common Side Effects of Lantus vs. Semglee

    Common Side Effects for

    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%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

    •Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 29%)
    •Swelling in the hands or feet (20%)
    •High blood pressure (20%)
    •Flu, sinus infections, or bronchitis (up to 19%)
    •Cataract (15%)
    •Joint pain (14%)
    •Pain in the hands and feet (13%)
    •Back pain (13%)
    •Cough (12%)
    •Urinary tract infection (11%)
    •Diarrhea (11%)
    •Depression (11%)
    •Headache (10%)

    Note: People with T1D typically experienced less side effects than people with T2D, but are at higher risk for hypoglycemia.

  • Warnings of Lantus vs. Semglee

    Common Side Effects for
    •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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of serious infections
    •Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
    •Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling and heart failure
    •Severe allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Lantus vs. Semglee

    Learn more about Lantus
    Learn more about Semglee

Compare other Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1 drugs

Glucovance vs LantusHumulin R vs LantusInvokana vs LantusLantus vs ActosLantus vs ApidraLantus vs BasaglarLantus vs HumalogLantus vs LevemirLantus vs NovologLantus vs OzempicLantus vs SemgleeLantus vs ToujeoMetaglip vs LantusPrandin vs LantusPrecose vs LantusTresiba vs LantusVictoza vs LantusActos vs InvokanaFarxiga vs InvokanaInvokana vs AfrezzaInvokana vs GlucovanceInvokana vs GlyburideInvokana vs InvokametInvokana vs MetaglipInvokana vs MetforminInvokana vs OnglyzaInvokana vs VictozaJanuvia vs InvokanaJardiance vs InvokanaPrandin vs Invokana
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.