How to Inject Lantus: 5 Tips for Getting the Most From This Long-Acting Insulin

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a popular long-acting insulin that comes in two forms. Whether you’re new to taking Lantus or it has been part of your routine for years, knowing how to inject it properly is an important part of managing your diabetes. That means knowing the specific instructions for the form you’re taking.

Below, we provide five practical tips on how, when, and where to inject Lantus.

1. How to inject Lantus

Lantus is available in either a multi-dose vial or SoloStar injection pen. The instructions for how to inject Lantus will be different depending on which form you’re using. With both forms, you can inject your Lantus dose just under the skin in one of three places:

• Abdomen: at least 2 inches from your belly button

• Thigh: top and outer areas, far enough from the bony area above the knee

• Upper arm: outer, back area with fatty tissue

Promotion disclosure

Lantus

Avg retail price

$120.88(Save 74.11%)

GoodRx discount

$31.29

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Before injecting your dose, make sure that you have the right insulin and that it’s not expired. With Lantus vials and pens, you can find the expiration date on the label. Keep in mind that once you’ve started using a vial or pen, it’s only good for up to 28 days.

Below are general steps for how to inject Lantus. But make sure to follow the instructions you’ve been given by your healthcare team, which may be different for the steps below.

Lantus vials

Unused Lantus vials last the longest when they’re stored in the refrigerator (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). An in-use vial can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature (up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Since injecting cold insulin can be more painful, it’s OK to bring a new vial up to room temperature before injecting your dose. 

First, you’ll gather your supplies. In addition to a Lantus vial, you’ll need a new U-100 syringe and needle, alcohol swabs, and a sharps container.

To prepare your dose, follow these steps:

• Set the vial on a flat surface and remove the protective cap (for a new vial).

• Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab.

• Take the new syringe (with a new needle attached) and pull the plunger back to the line of your Lantus dose, drawing air into the syringe.

• Push the needle through the rubber vial top and inject the air into the vial. Leave the syringe in the vial, turning both upside down.

• Draw up your insulin dose by pulling the plunger back to the correct line on the syringe. When doing this, make sure the needle tip is in the insulin to prevent drawing in air bubbles.

• If there are air bubbles, hold the syringe upright and gently tap it so the bubbles rise to the top. Press the plunger to expel the air from the syringe and draw up more insulin until you have your correct dose. Then, remove the needle from the vial.

To inject your dose, follow these steps:

• Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. Let the area dry before injecting your dose, otherwise it may sting when you inject.

• Pinch a fold of skin where you plan to inject and hold it. Then, insert the needle into your skin. Your healthcare team can show you how to do this properly.

• Slowly inject your dose, making sure to push the plunger all the way in.

• Leave the needle in your skin for 10 seconds. This will help ensure you’ve injected your full dose.

• Pull the needle out and apply light pressure to the injection site for a few seconds.

• Throw away your syringe, needle, and any finished vials into your sharps container.

Lantus SoloStar pen

Unused Lantus SoloStar pens also last the longest when kept in the refrigerator (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). But after your first dose, they must be stored at room temperature (up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Similar to the vial, you can take a new Lantus pen out of the refrigerator before injecting your dose to lessen potential discomfort.

In addition to your Lantus pen, you’ll need a new needle, alcohol swabs, and a sharps container.

To prepare your dose, follow these steps:

• Remove the pen cap and wipe the rubber seal with an alcohol swab.

• Peel off the protective seal from the new needle and screw it onto the pen.

• Pull off the outer and inner needle caps, setting the outer cap to the side for later.

• Prime your pen by turning the dose selector to “2,” then pressing the injection button. If insulin comes out, your pen is ready to use. If not, you should repeat this process up to three times. If there’s still an issue, try changing the needle. Use a new pen if insulin still doesn’t come out.

• Once your pen is primed, you can select your dose. Starting with it set to “0,” turn the dose selector until the pointer lines up with your specific dose. If the dose selector stops before your dose, that means there’s not enough insulin left in the pen. In this case, you can use a new pen. Or you can use the remaining insulin in the pen and make up the difference with a new pen.

To inject your dose, follow these steps:

• Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab, making sure it’s dry before you inject.

• Insert the needle into the skin. Your healthcare team will show you how to do this properly.

• Using your thumb, press the injection button straight down and hold it for 10 seconds. Start counting to 10 when you see “0” in the dose window.

• Remove the needle from your skin and carefully reattach the outer needle cap. Make sure the cap is on firmly. While holding the wide part of the needle cap with one hand, turn the pen with your hand until the needle comes off.

• Throw away your used needle and any finished pens into the sharps container.

2. You can inject Lantus at any time of day

Lantus is usually injected once a day. You can inject your dose at any time of day, but it’s best to pick a time that’s convenient for you. It may help to set a daily alarm or use a medication reminder app to stay on track with your doses.

That said, your healthcare provider may tell you to inject Lantus at a specific time of day, such as in the morning or at bedtime. In this case, it’s best to follow their instructions.

3. Rotate where you inject Lantus each time

As mentioned above, you can inject Lantus just under the skin on your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You may find that you prefer one spot over another. Your upper arm area may be more difficult to reach on your own, so you may prefer injecting in the abdomen or thigh, for example.

No matter which area you choose, rotate your injection spot each time. This will help prevent lumps, pitting, and thickening from happening under the skin. If you notice these skin changes in certain spots, don’t inject in these areas. You should also avoid areas that are bruised or damaged. Otherwise, the amount of insulin you absorb may be affected.

4. Use a new needle each time you inject Lantus

If you’re injecting Lantus with a SoloStar pen, be sure to use a new needle each time you inject. And if you’re injecting Lantus from a vial, use a new syringe and needle each time.

Reusing needles for insulin can increase your risk of contamination. It can also affect how much insulin you receive, especially if the needle changes shape or becomes blocked. Your injections may also be more painful and more likely to cause lumps under the skin.

5. Don’t inject Lantus that looks discolored or cloudy

Before injecting Lantus, it’s a good idea to inspect your vial or pen. Insulin can go bad if it’s not stored properly, or if its expiration or use-by date has passed. Your insulin should be clear and free of any particles. If it doesn’t look this way, don’t use it.

It’s especially important to inspect your Lantus vials or pens if you receive them in the mail. They may be exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures while in transit, potentially affecting how well the insulin works. Contact your mail-order pharmacy if your Lantus looks unusual, it arrives warm or frozen, or you think it was exposed to extreme temperatures.

How to save on Lantus

There are ways to save on Lantus, which is available as a reference (“brand-name”) 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.

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:

Julie Adkison, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES

Julie Adkison, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, is a clinical pharmacist specializing in ambulatory care practice and diabetes care and education. She has worked in a faculty position in family medicine for many years.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts