Toujeo vs. Lantus: 6 Differences You Should Know

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a popular long-acting insulin approved to treat diabetes in children and adults. Toujeo is another insulin option that also contains insulin glargine. But Toujeo and Lantus aren’t exactly the same.

There are some key differences between Toujeo and Lantus that may sway you towards one over the other. We review six of these below.

1. Toujeo’s effects can last longer compared to Lantus

Toujeo and Lantus contain the same insulin — insulin glargine, a man-made, long-acting type of insulin. But even though they’re both typically injected daily, Toujeo’s effects can last longer in the body. After you inject Toujeo, its blood glucose-lowering benefits can last up to 36 hours. Lantus, on the other hand, has effects that last for up to 24 hours.

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2. Toujeo and Lantus have different insulin delivery options

Lantus is available as a multi-dose vial and a SoloStar insulin pen. Each Lantus SoloStar pen contains multiple doses — you’ll dial up the dose you need each time. The maximum insulin dose you can dial up with the pen is 80 units.

Toujeo is available as two different insulin pens: SoloStar and Max SoloStar. The Toujeo SoloStar pen is the same type of pen as Lantus, with a maximum of 80 units per dose. The Toujeo Max SoloStar pen allows you to dial up larger doses — up to 160 units of insulin.

If you prefer using a vial, Lantus may be a better fit. But if you prefer an insulin pen, both Lantus and Toujeo have options to choose from. The Toujeo Max SoloStar pen may be a good choice if you need to inject higher insulin doses.

3. Toujeo contains a higher concentration of insulin than Lantus

Each Lantus SoloStar pen contains 100 units of insulin in 1 mL of liquid — with a total of 300 units of insulin in each pen.

Toujeo pens contain 300 units of insulin in 1 mL of liquid, making them three times as concentrated as a Lantus pen. This means you’ll inject less liquid for the same insulin dose. The Toujeo Solostar pen holds 450 units of insulin, and the Toujeo Max Solostar pen holds 900 units of insulin.

If you need a higher dose of insulin glargine, the concentrated dose from Toujeo is often absorbed better than larger volumes needed to get the same dose from Lantus. In this case, you may be able to manage your blood glucose better with Toujeo. It may also be less uncomfortable to inject a smaller amount of liquid.

4. Opened Toujeo pens last longer compared to Lantus pens

Unopened Lantus and Toujeo insulin pens should be stored in the refrigerator. If left unopened, they’ll last until the expiration date printed on the pen. Once they're opened, Lantus and Toujeo pens should be stored at room temperature.

Lantus pens last for up to 28 days after opening. Toujeo pens, on the other hand, last for up to 56 days (8 weeks) after opening. So, a Toujeo pen may not need to be refilled at the pharmacy as often as a Lantus pen.

Good to know: Unlike Toujeo, Lantus is also available in a multi-dose vial. If left unopened, the vials will last until their expiration date if stored in the refrigerator, or up to 28 days if stored at room temperature. Opened vials can be used for up to 28 days, whether they’re stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature. 

5. Toujeo may have a lower hypoglycemia risk compared to Lantus

The most common insulin side effect is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Both Toujeo and Lantus can cause hypoglycemia. This can happen if you inject too much insulin. It’s also possible if you’re skipping meals, exercising more than usual, or drinking alcohol, among other reasons.

Some evidence suggests that hypoglycemia may be less likely with Toujeo compared to Lantus. This was seen in people who switched to Toujeo or Lantus from another long-acting insulin, as well as those who were new to insulin therapy.

Since older adults have a higher risk of hypoglycemia, Toujeo may be a good option to consider in this group. In fact, one study found that adults ages 65 and older who switched to Toujeo had an almost 60% lower hypoglycemia risk compared to those switching to an insulin like Lantus.

6. Lantus is available as lower-cost biosimilars

Lantus and Toujeo are both available as brand-name and unbranded insulins. Unbranded insulin glargine U-100 is the exact same as Lantus — but without the Lantus label. This is also the case for insulin glargine U-300 and U-300 Max, which are the same as Toujeo and Toujeo Max.

Lantus, however, has two biosimilars: Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) and Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr). Biosimilar insulins provide similar benefits as the original (reference) insulin. Basaglar is another Lantus alternative. It’s not technically a biosimilar, but it’s another option your prescriber may consider. Toujeo doesn’t have any biosimilars yet.

Both Semglee and Rezvoglar are considered interchangeable with Lantus. This means your pharmacist may be able to substitute one of them for Lantus without contacting your prescriber first. This is similar to how they might substitute a generic for a brand-name medication. And like generics, biosimilars can help you save money.

Comparison table

A summary of several key differences between Toujeo and Lantus are detailed in the table below.

Can you switch from Lantus to Toujeo (or vice versa)?

Yes. It’s possible to switch from Lantus to Toujeo (and vice versa). Keep in mind that Toujeo is more concentrated than Lantus. So it’s important to pay close attention to the amount of insulin you’re injecting if you switch products.

If you’re switching from Toujeo to Lantus, the recommended Lantus dosage is 80% of your Toujeo dosage. But your prescriber may determine a different dose to be appropriate for you. If you’re switching from Lantus to Toujeo, your dosage may depend on how often you’re injecting Lantus. Your healthcare team will provide you with instructions for how to switch from one insulin to another.

How to save on Lantus and Toujeo

There are ways to save on Lantus and Toujeo. GoodRx can help you navigate the ways to save on your insulin prescription.

How to save on Lantus

There are ways to save on Lantus, which is available as a reference biologic. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx. Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of Lantus at an exclusive cash price of $35.

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

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

• Save with a biosimilar. Depending on your location, your pharmacist may be able to switch you to a Lantus biosimilar. Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) and Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr) are two biosimilars that are considered interchangeable with Lantus.

How to save on Toujeo

There are also ways to save on Toujeo:

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 per month for Toujeo 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 charge.

Why trust our experts?

Written 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.

Reviewed 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.

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