What are the basal insulin brand names (Basal Insulin)

From the Guidelines

Basal insulin brand names include Lantus (insulin glargine), Levemir (insulin detemir), Basaglar (insulin glargine), Toujeo (insulin glargine U-300), Tresiba (insulin degludec), and Semglee (insulin glargine). These long-acting insulins are designed to provide a steady background level of insulin throughout the day, mimicking the pancreas's basal insulin secretion. They typically last between 24-42 hours depending on the specific formulation, with Tresiba having the longest duration of action 1. Basal insulins are usually injected once daily, though some patients may require twice-daily dosing. They work by controlling blood glucose levels between meals and overnight, complementing mealtime (bolus) insulin. Unlike rapid-acting insulins, basal insulins don't have pronounced peaks in activity, which helps reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

Some key points to consider when using basal insulin include:

• Starting with a low dose (often 10 units or 0.1-0.2 units/kg/day) and titrating based on fasting blood glucose readings 1
• Using basal insulin in combination with metformin and possibly other non-insulin agents 1
• Considering the use of concentrated insulin preparations, such as U-300 glargine or U-200 degludec, for patients requiring higher doses of basal insulin per volume 1
• Being aware of the potential for dosing errors with concentrated insulins and taking steps to mitigate this risk, such as using dedicated syringes or prefilled pens 1

Overall, the choice of basal insulin brand and dosing regimen will depend on individual patient needs and circumstances, and should be guided by current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice 1.

From the Research

Basal Insulin Brand Names

• The brand names of basal insulin include:
  • Toujeo® 2, which is a trade name for insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300)
  • Lantus® 2, 3, which is a trade name for insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100)
  • Insulin detemir 4
  • Insulin degludec 4
• These basal insulins are used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults, and have been shown to provide effective glycemic control with reduced hypoglycemia risk 3, 5

Characteristics of Basal Insulins

• Basal insulins aim to match the endogenous pattern of insulin secretion as closely as possible without causing hypoglycemia 4
• Optimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of long-acting basal insulins include:
  • Activity that is flat and as free of peaks as possible
  • A duration of action of ≥24-h
  • As little day-to-day variation as possible 4
• Newer insulin products, such as insulin glargine 300 U/mL and insulin degludec, demonstrate different pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and longer durations of action (>24 h) compared with insulin glargine 100 U/mL 4