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Lantus Coupon - Lantus 5 solostar pens of 3ml carton

Lantus, Lantus Solostar

insulin glargine
Used for Diabetes Type 2, Diabetes Type 1
Used for Diabetes Type 2, Diabetes Type 1

Lantus (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. Lantus (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin, typically once daily or as directed by your healthcare team. Your care team will determine your dose of Lantus (insulin glargine) based on different factors, such as your diet and blood sugar levels. Lantus (insulin glargine) comes as a vial and a prefilled insulin pen (Lantus Solostar). Some side effects of this medication include redness and swelling at the injection site, and upper respiratory tract infections.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 24, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Lantus (insulin glargine)?

What is Lantus (insulin glargine) used for?

How Lantus (insulin glargine) works

Lantus (insulin glargine) is an insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone your body makes to control blood sugar levels. It helps your body absorb and store sugar from the bloodstream after a meal. Insulin also stops your liver from making glucose (sugar). But people with diabetes can't make insulin, don't make enough insulin, or their body doesn't respond to insulin as it should.

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting, lab-made version of insulin. It's slowly released into the body and helps your body manage blood sugar levels throughout the day. Lantus (insulin glargine) is used by people who don't make insulin or need more insulin than what their body can produce.

Are you looking for information on Basaglar (insulin glargine) or Toujeo (insulin glargine) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsLantus, Lantus Solostar
Drug ClassInsulin
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

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What are the side effects of Lantus (insulin glargine)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Type 2 diabetes (T2D)Note: People with T1D typically experienced less side effects than people with T2D, but are at higher risk for hypoglycemia.

Other Side Effects

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severely low blood sugar levels: feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating or body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness or low energy, excessive hunger
  • Severely low potassium levels: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, constipation, irregular heartbeat
  • Severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of face, tongue, and throat, difficulty breathing

Source: DailyMed

More on Lantus (insulin glargine) side effects

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The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Anxiety

behavior change similar to being drunk

blurred vision

chills

cold sweats

confusion

cool, pale skin

difficulty with thinking

dizziness or lightheadedness

drowsiness

excessive hunger

fast heartbeat

headache

nausea

nervousness

nightmares

restless sleep

seizures

shakiness

slurred speech

tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or tongue

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common or rare

Fast pulse

skin rash or itching over the entire body

sweating

trouble breathing

Incidence not known

Bloating or swelling of the face, hands, lower legs, or feet

cough

decreased urine

difficulty with swallowing

dry mouth

hives

increased thirst

irregular heartbeat

muscle pain or cramps

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rapid weight gain

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Fever

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

Less common or rare

Depression of the skin at the injection site

itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site

thickening of the skin at injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Lantus (insulin glargine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Can control your blood sugar levels for about 24 hours

Typically injected once daily

Approved for children and adults

Available as a vial and pre-filled pen

thumbs-down

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

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Lantus (insulin glargine)

pharmacist

  • Never share Lantus (insulin glargine) pens, syringes, or needles with anyone else. Doing so puts you and others at risk of spreading germs and getting severe and potentially life-threatening infections.

    • When you're using Lantus (insulin glargine), make sure to always carry fast-acting sugars with you so that you can bring your blood sugar levels up when it drops too low.

      Tips on how to use Lantus (insulin glargine)

      • Before injecting Lantus (insulin glargine), make sure the solution is clear and colorless without any particles. Otherwise, don't inject Lantus (insulin glargine) and ask your prescriber or pharmacist for a replacement.

        • Inject Lantus (insulin glargine) under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area, thighs, or back of upper arms. Be sure to rotate injection sites to prevent hard lumps from forming in your skin. Don't inject Lantus (insulin glargine) into areas of the skin that has pits, is thickened, or is bruised and damaged.

          • After giving yourself the Lantus (insulin glargine) injection, throw away any needles and syringe in a sharps container or something made of heavy-duty plastic, such as an empty milk carton or laundry detergent bottle, to lower the risk of needlestick injuries. Don't throw away needles or syringes in your trash can.

            Tips on storing Lantus (insulin glargine)

            • Unopened Lantus (insulin glargine) vials and pens can be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date or at room temperature for up to 28 days.

              • Opened Lantus (insulin glargine) vials can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 28 days.

                • Opened Lantus (insulin glargine) pens should be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days, don't put them in the refrigerator.

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                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Lantus (insulin glargine)

                  Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin. It’s used to manage blood glucose (sugar) levels…  Learn more
                  The most common Lantus (insulin glargine) side effect is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Other Lan…  Learn more
                  Lantus takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to start working, with its effects lasting for about 24 hours. Thi…  Learn more
                  Lantus (insulin glargine) isn't a fast-acting insulin. It's absorbed slowly by the body, taking abou…  Learn more
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                  What are the risks and warnings for Lantus (insulin glargine)?

                  Lantus (insulin glargine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Risk of serious infections

                  Never share Lantus (insulin glargine) pens, syringes, or needles with anyone else. Doing so puts you and others at risk of getting serious infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV).

                  risk-warning

                  Risk of high and low blood sugar levels

                  Changing your insulin or insulin routine, such as where you inject Lantus (insulin glargine) or switching to a Lantus (insulin glargine) biosimilar, can affect how your body responds to insulin. This can lead to either high or low blood sugar levels. In addition, injecting Lantus (insulin glargine) repeatedly into skin areas that shows signs of lipodystrophy, such as pitting or thickened skin, can also result in high blood sugar levels.

                  Don't make changes to your Lantus (insulin glargine) dose or routine without first checking in with your diabetes care team. Make sure to avoid injecting into skin areas that show signs of lipodystrophy. If your care team instructs you to make any changes to your insulin routine, they'll also ask you to check your blood sugar levels more often to see how the changes affect your blood sugar levels.

                  risk-warning

                  Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)

                  • Risk factors: Changes in diet and exercise | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes together with Lantus (insulin glargine) | Liver or kidney problems | Not using Lantus (insulin glargine) as directed

                    Using Lantus (insulin glargine) alone or together with other medications that lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar levels. If not treated in time, it can be life-threatening.

                    Check your blood sugar level regularly to make sure it's within a safe range. If your diabetes care team instructs you to mix different insulins together, read the label of the insulins carefully to make sure you're using the right products. But remember, Lantus (insulin glargine) should never be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe. If you make any changes to your diet or meal patterns, other medications, or how much you exercise, let your care team know because they might need to adjust your dose of Lantus (insulin glargine).

                    Make sure you're familiar with symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, sweating or body chills, and excessive hunger. Keep fast-acting sugars, such as glucose tablets, with you at all times so you can treat an episode of hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar levels don't improve even after you take fast-acting sugars, get medical help right away.

                    risk-warning

                    Low blood potassium levels

                    • Risk factors: Taking other medications with Lantus (insulin glargine) that lower potassium

                      Lantus (insulin glargine) can cause low potassium levels in your blood, which can be dangerous. You're at higher risk if you're already taking medications that can lower potassium levels, such as loop diuretics. Because people with low blood potassium levels typically don't experience any symptoms, your care team might order blood tests to check your potassium levels regularly. And if needed, they'll prescribe you medications to bring your potassium level within a safe range. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of low potassium levels such as weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, and constipation.

                      risk-warning

                      Swelling and heart failure

                      • Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with Lantus (insulin glargine) | Heart failure

                        Taking Lantus (insulin glargine) with glitazones (also known as thiazolidinediones), like Actos (pioglitazone), can cause your body to hold onto fluid. This can be especially dangerous if you have heart failure because additional fluid can worsen your condition and cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling, and tiredness.

                        Make sure to tell your diabetes care team if you have heart failure or if you're taking a glitazone before starting Lantus (insulin glargine).

                        risk-warning

                        Severe allergic reactions

                        Rarely, Lantus (insulin glargine) can cause a serious, life-threatening reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis). If you experience swelling in your lips, face, or tongue, rash, or trouble breathing, get medical help right away.

                        dosage

                        Lantus (insulin glargine) dosage forms

                        The average cost for 1 carton of 5 solostar pens of 3ml of Lantus (insulin glargine) is $35.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 85.26% off the average retail price of $237.50.
                        carton
                        Carton
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        5 solostar pens of 3ml1 carton$35.00$35.00
                        vial
                        Vial
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        10ml of 100 units/ml1 vial$35.00$35.00

                        Typical dosing for Lantus (insulin glargine)

                        Your diabetes care team will work with you to determine your dose of Lantus (insulin glargine). The dose of Lantus (insulin glargine) will be different for each person. It depends on different factors, such as whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and how well your body responds to insulin. You might need to use a fast-acting insulin along with Lantus.

                        • Type 1 diabetes: Your care team will help you calculate your total daily insulin (TDI) requirement. The typical starting dose is about 30% of your TDI requirement, injected under the skin once daily.

                        • Type 2 diabetes: Your care team will help you calculate your starting dose based on your body weight. The typical starting dose is 0.2 units/kg (up to 10 units) injected under the skin once daily.

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                        interactions

                        Interactions between Lantus (insulin glargine) and other drugs

                        Lantus (insulin glargine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Lantus (insulin glargine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

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                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                        contraindications-icon

                        Lantus (insulin glargine) contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Lantus (insulin glargine) will not be safe for you to take.

                        • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Lantus (insulin glargine)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Lantus (insulin glargine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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                        latest news

                        What is the latest news about Lantus (insulin glargine)?

                        Lantus (insulin glargine) may cause weight gain, low blood sugar, and injection site reactions. View a list of Lantus side effects and see how to manage them.

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        American Diabetes Association. (2012). Hypoglycemia? Low blood glucose? Low blood sugar? Clinical Diabetes.

                        Lantus. (n.d.). Using Lantus? Learn how to inject insulin.

                        Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. (2022). How to use your Lantus SoloStar pen.

                        View All References (2)

                        Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. (2023). LANTUS- insulin glargine injection, solution; LANTUS SOLOSTAR- insulin glargine injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Sharabi, K., et al. (2015). Molecular Pathophysiology of Hepatic Glucose Production. Molecular Aspects of Medicine.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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