Is insulin glargine the same as Lantus (insulin glargine)?

Insulin Glargine and Lantus: They Are the Same Medication

Yes, insulin glargine and Lantus are exactly the same medication. Lantus is simply the brand name for insulin glargine, which is the generic name of this long-acting insulin analog 1, 2.

Understanding Insulin Glargine/Lantus

Insulin glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting human insulin analog designed to provide basal insulin coverage over approximately 24 hours. According to the FDA label and clinical guidelines:

• It has no pronounced peak action, providing relatively constant basal insulin levels 1, 2
• It's administered subcutaneously once daily at any time of day (but preferably at the same time each day) 2
• It's available as 100 units/mL (U-100) in 10 mL vials or 3 mL SoloStar prefilled pens 2

Clinical Characteristics

Insulin glargine (Lantus) has several important clinical features:

• Onset of action: 2-4 hours
• Peak action: None (relatively flat profile)
• Duration of action: Up to 24 hours
• Administration: Once daily subcutaneous injection 1

This pharmacokinetic profile makes it superior to older intermediate-acting insulins like NPH, which have pronounced peaks that can increase hypoglycemia risk 1.

Comparison to Other Insulins

Insulin glargine (Lantus) differs from other insulin formulations:

• vs. NPH insulin: Glargine has no pronounced peak and lasts up to 24 hours, while NPH peaks at 4-8 hours and lasts 12-18 hours 1
• vs. Regular insulin: Regular insulin has a shorter duration (5-8 hours) and peaks at 2-4 hours 1
• vs. Other long-acting analogs: Detemir (Levemir) lasts 12-24 hours, degludec (Tresiba) lasts >24 hours 1

Clinical Applications

Insulin glargine (Lantus) is indicated for:

• Type 1 diabetes: Must be used with short-acting insulin 2
• Type 2 diabetes: Can be used alone or with oral medications 2

The recommended starting dosage is:

• Type 1 diabetes: Approximately one-third of total daily insulin requirements 2
• Type 2 diabetes: 0.2 units/kg or up to 10 units once daily 2

Important Considerations

When using insulin glargine (Lantus):

• Do not mix with any other insulin or solution 2
• Do not administer intravenously or via insulin pump 2
• Rotate injection sites to reduce risk of lipodystrophy 2
• Monitor blood glucose more frequently when changing insulin regimens 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Confusion with other insulin glargine products: While Lantus is insulin glargine, not all insulin glargine products are interchangeable. For example, Toujeo is also insulin glargine but at a higher concentration (300 units/mL) and requires dose adjustment when switching 2.

2. Dosing errors: When switching from Toujeo (insulin glargine 300 units/mL) to Lantus (insulin glargine 100 units/mL), the recommended starting Lantus dosage is 80% of the Toujeo dosage 2.

3. Administration timing: While insulin glargine can be administered at any time of day, it should be given at the same time each day for consistent glycemic control 2.

4. Hypoglycemia risk: Although insulin glargine has less risk of hypoglycemia than NPH insulin, it can still cause hypoglycemia, especially when dosage changes are made 1.

In conclusion, insulin glargine and Lantus are identical - Lantus is simply the brand name for insulin glargine. This long-acting insulin analog provides stable basal insulin levels for approximately 24 hours with a single daily injection.