Rezvoglar
Rezvoglar KwikPen is the brand name for insulin glargine (or insulin glargine-aglr). It's a long-acting insulin pen for adults and children with diabetes. This medication is an FDA-approved insulin biosimlar; it's highly similar to Lantus (insulin glargine). Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin once a day. But it might cause side effects such as low blood sugar and reactions at the injection site.
What is Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)?
What is Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) used for?
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
- Type 2 diabetes (T2D)
How Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) works
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin. Insulin is a hormone in your body that lowers glucose (sugar) levels in the blood in a few ways. It helps your body use sugar from your blood for energy. It also stops your liver from making glucose.
Drug facts
More on Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) essentials
Side effects of Rezvoglar (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 1 diabetes in children:
- Upper respiratory tract infection (14%)
- Other infection (14%)
- Sore throat (8%)
- Runny nose (5%)
Type 1 diabetes in adults:
- Upper respiratory tract infection (22%)
- Other infection (9%)
- Accidental injury (6%)
- Headache (6%)
Type 2 diabetes in adults:
- Upper respiratory tract infection (29%)
- Swelling in arm or leg (20%)
- High blood pressure (20%)
- Flu-like symptoms (19%)
- Sinus infection (19%)
- Cataract (18%)
- Bronchitis (15%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Low blood sugar
- Pain in back, arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Urinary tract infection
- Depression
- Injection site reaction (e.g., redness, pain, itching, swelling)
- Weight gain
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously low blood sugar: feeling shaky, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating, body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness, low energy, feeling very hungry
- Low potassium levels: weakness, muscle cramps or twitches, tiredness, abnormal heartbeat
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; fast heartbeat; breathing problems; swelling in your face, mouth, or throat
More on Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) side effects
The following Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
- Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Lipodystrophy—hardening or scarring of tissue at injection site
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
- Weight gain
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Pros and cons of Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)
Pros
- A long-lasting insulin that's used once daily for stable, all-day blood sugar control
- Comes as an injectable pen that's small enough to fit in your purse or pocket
- Easily adjustable doses to make a customized regimen tailored to your needs
- One of the most effective medications for controlling blood sugar
Cons
- Must inject the medication under the skin
- Must get needles for the pen separately
- Can cause weight gain like other insulins
- Can cause low blood sugar, especially if you don't take the medication consistently or have an inconsistent meal and exercise schedule
Pharmacist tips for Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)
- Read the detailed Instructions for Use that come with Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) before you first use it. It's important to make sure you understand how to use the medication safely. Also review tips on starting insulin. Ask a healthcare professional if you have any questions.
- A common side effect of Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) is low blood sugar. Make sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize and treat low blood sugar. Some symptoms of low blood sugar include being very hungry, shaky, sweaty, nervous, anxious, dizzy, or confused. Have some fast-acting sugars with you to help get your blood sugar back up.
- Don't dilute or mix Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) with other types of insulin. It's not known if it's safe or how it might affect your blood sugar levels. You also can't use Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) in an insulin pump.
- You might get prescribed other types of insulins to use at different times of the day, depending on your blood sugar control. Always check your insulin labels carefully so you know you're using the right insulin at the right time. Double checking helps prevent you from mixing up between your insulins and possible low blood sugar.
- Follow a consistent meal plan and keep your exercise routine relatively the same. Don't make changes that are too drastic or sudden. This helps keep your blood sugar steady while taking Rezvoglar (insulin glargine).
How to use Rezvoglar (insulin glargine):
- Store unopened Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) pens in the refrigerator until the expiration date. You can also keep unopened pens at room temperature for up to 28 days. Once you start using a pen, store the opened pen at room temperature for up to 28 days. Don't put opened pens in the refrigerator.
- When you take out a new Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) pen from the refrigerator, let it reach room temperature for at least 1 hour before you inject the medication. Injecting it cold might be more painful.
- Always use a new needle for each injection. Don't reuse needles because this raises your risk of infections. It can also block your needle, which can cause you to inject the wrong dose of insulin.
- Remember to "prime" the Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) pen before each injection. Follow the instructions to check that the pen and needle are working as they should and to prepare the pen.
- Inject Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) at the same time each day. Inject it under the skin into the fatty tissue of your stomach, thigh (upper leg), or upper arm. Use a different spot each time to prevent skin irritation or damage. Never inject the medication into a vein or muscle. This can cause very low blood sugar levels and infections.
- Don't repeatedly inject Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) into areas of skin with signs of lipodystrophy (pitted or thickened skin). Injecting into these areas too often can affect how well the insulin gets absorbed into the body. This can raise your risk of having higher blood sugar levels.
- Throw away used needles in a sharps container, hard plastic container, or metal container. Never throw needles away in the trash to avoid needle-stick injuries. For more information on safe disposal, visit the FDA's website.
Common questions about Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) comes as a pen that's prefilled with insulin. Follow the instructions to inject the medication properly. You can inject it under the skin on your stomach (at least 2 inches away from your belly button), thigh, or upper arm. Make sure to change the area where you inject Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) into each time. This lowers your risk of getting lumpy, thick, or irritated skin. Ask your diabetes team or pharmacist if you have other questions about how to use Rezvoglar (insulin glargine).
Biosimilars are very similar versions of an original biologic medication. It has few differences in how well it works and its side effects. Biologics like insulin are medications that come from living sources. Because of how they're made, it's not easy to make an exact copy. But it's possible to make very similar versions. The idea is similar to generics. Since insulin is a biologic, there are biosimilars to insulin instead of generics. Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) is a biosimilar to Lantus (insulin glargine). Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) works the same in your body as Lantus (insulin glargine) and should give you similar results.
Yes. Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) is an interchangeable biosimilar to Lantus (insulin glargine). This means you can switch back and forth between the two without needing a new prescription. The FDA approved this type of substitution in November 2022. Ask your prescriber if you have more questions about Rezvoglar (insulin glargine).
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) isn't exactly the same as Lantus (insulin glargine). But it's very similar. Studies provided to the FDA show that Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) works just as well as Lantus (insulin glargine). Ask your diabetes team if you have more questions.
No. Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) and Basaglar (insulin glargine) are both long-acting insulins that are similar to Lantus. They're injected once a day to help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. But unlike Rezvoglar, Basaglar isn't equivalent to Lantus and isn't interchangeable with Lantus. You can't switch between Basaglar and Lantus without a new prescription. Talk to your diabetes team to learn more how Rezvoglar and Basaglar are different.
Keep unopened boxes of Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) in the refrigerator until the expiration date. Another option is to keep these unopened boxes at room temperature but only for up to 28 days. Once you start using a pen, keep it at room temperature for up to 28 days. Don't put opened pens in the refrigerator.
You shouldn't use Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) if you currently have low blood sugar. When you have low blood sugar, you might feel shaky, nervous, weak, confused, very hungry, and have a fast heart rate. Always carry fast-acting sugars (like glucose tablets, hard candy, or fruit juice) in case your blood sugar drops. Follow the "15-15 rule" to treat low blood sugar. Also, don't use Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) if you've ever had a severe allergic reaction to insulin glargine before.
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Risks and warnings for Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)
Rezvoglar (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 of infections from sharing pens and needles
Never share your Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) pen or needles with anyone else. Even if you put on a new needle, don't let others use your pen. Sharing Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) and your injection supplies can raise the risk of spreading serious infections.
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin regimen
- Risk factors: Changes in insulin strength | Changes in type of insulins you use | Changes in insulin brand-name products | Suddenly changing where you inject
Changing your insulin or how you use it can affect how your body responds to insulin. Examples include suddenly changing where you inject Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) or switching to a different type of insulin. This can lead to higher or lower blood sugar levels.
If your diabetes care team tells you to make any changes, be sure to check your blood sugar more often. This helps you know how the changes affect you. Don't change your Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) dose or routine without talking to your diabetes team first.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Risk factors: Changes in meal patterns and exercise routines | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications for diabetes | Liver or kidney problems
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) can cause low blood sugar, which is also called hypoglycemia. Sometimes, your blood sugar can get too low. This can be dangerous and even life-threatening if not treated in time. Make sure to follow your prescriber's instructions and check your blood sugar regularly.
Be sure you can spot signs of low blood sugar so you can catch it early. You might feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty, clammy, nervous, irritated, or confused. You could also have trouble focusing or reacting quickly, which can be risky during activities like driving. Keep in mind that low blood sugar can happen suddenly and look different for each person.
It's important to know how to treat low blood sugar. Always carry some fast-acting sugars with you while you're taking Rezvoglar (insulin glargine). Some examples include 3 or 4 glucose (sugar) tablets or one-half cup of fruit juice. These can help raise your blood sugar quickly. If you have low blood sugar, treat it right away and let your diabetes team know.
Severe allergic reaction
- Risk factors: History of allergic reaction to insulin
Rarely, Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) can cause severe allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. Go to the emergency room right away if you suddenly have trouble breathing or if your face, mouth, or throat starts to swell.
Low potassium levels
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower your potassium
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) can lower your potassium levels, which can sometimes be dangerous. You're at greater risk if you take other medications that lower your potassium, like diuretics (water pills). If needed, your prescriber might check your potassium levels regularly.
Watch for symptoms of low potassium. They can include weakness, tiredness, muscle cramps, constipation, and abnormal heartbeat. Tell your care team if you have any of these symptoms so they can help treat and manage this problem.
Swelling and risk of heart failure when using with certain diabetes medications
- Risk factors: Taking glitazones together with insulin | History of heart failure
Taking Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) with diabetes medications called glitazones, such as pioglitazone (Actos), can cause your body to hold onto extra fluid. It can lead to or worsen heart failure. This is because the extra fluid can put stress on the heart.
Before you start Rezvoglar (insulin glargine), tell your prescriber if you have heart failure or if you take other diabetes medications. They can make sure to follow up with you more closely. Let your care team know if you have swelling in your legs or ankles, feel very tired, or have trouble breathing. These could be signs of fluid buildup or heart failure.
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 prefilled 3ml pens of 100 units/ml | 1 carton | $97.65 | $97.65 |
Typical dosage for Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin once a day. Inject into the fatty tissue of your stomach, thigh (upper leg), or upper arm.
-
Type 1 diabetes: The recommended starting dose is about one-third of your total daily insulin requirements. Your prescriber will help you find the right dose, so follow their instructions carefully. Use Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) along with a short-acting or rapid-acting insulin that's used before meals. This helps make sure your body gets all the insulin it needs each day.
-
Type 2 diabetes: The recommended starting dose is 0.2 units/kg of body weight (or up to 10 units) each day.
Your prescriber will help you find the right dose, so follow their instructions carefully. Your starting dose might be different if you're switching from another insulin product. Your dose might get adjusted later depending on how well your blood sugar stays controlled.
How much does Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) cost?
$35.00
Rezvoglar (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 Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) will not be safe for you to take.
- When you have low blood sugar levels
- Allergy to Rezvoglar (insulin glargine) or other insulin glargine products
What are alternatives to Rezvoglar (insulin glargine)?
