What needle tips are prescribed with Lantus (insulin glargine) Solostar insulin pens?

Needle Tips for Lantus SoloStar Insulin Pens

The recommended needle tip for Lantus SoloStar insulin pens is a 4-mm pen needle inserted at a 90-degree angle, which is suitable for all adults regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or BMI. 1

Needle Selection Guidelines

Recommended Needle Length

• 4-mm pen needles are the safest and most effective option for all patients using Lantus SoloStar pens 1
• These shorter needles:
  • Minimize risk of intramuscular injections
  • Reduce pain during injection
  • Provide accurate dosing
  • Are reported by patients to be less painful than longer needles 1

Special Populations

• Very young children (≤6 years old) and very thin adults: Should use the 4-mm needle with a lifted skinfold technique 1
• Obese patients: The 4-mm needle is still safe and effective, though a 5-mm needle may also be acceptable 1

Proper Injection Technique

Needle Insertion

• Insert the 4-mm needle perpendicularly (90° angle) to the skin surface 1
• For very thin patients: Use a lifted skinfold technique while maintaining the 90° angle 1
• After insertion, press the thumb button along the axis of the pen, not at an angle 1

Injection Process

1. Prime the pen before injection to ensure free flow (follow manufacturer's instructions) 1
2. Insert the needle fully before touching the thumb button 1
3. Press the button completely and hold for a count of 10 before removing the needle 1
4. Remove the needle without pressing the area 2

Important Safety Considerations

Single-Use Only

• Pen needles should be used only once and then properly disposed 1
• Needles are no longer sterile after use 1
• Reusing needles is associated with:
  • Lipohypertrophy development
  • Injection pain
  • Bleeding 1

Needle Handling

• Do not leave needles attached to the pen after use 1
• Remove and dispose of needles immediately to prevent:
  • Air or contaminants entering the cartridge
  • Medication leakage
  • Dose inaccuracy 1

Pen-Specific Considerations

• SoloStar pens have been shown to require lower injection force compared to other insulin pens, which may benefit patients with dexterity issues 3
• The SoloStar pen has demonstrated high dosing accuracy in clinical settings 4, 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never share insulin pens between patients, even with new needles 1
• Avoid injecting into areas of lipohypertrophy, inflammation, edema, or infection 1
• Do not push the thumb button before the needle is fully inserted 1
• Avoid storing insulin in cold temperatures before injection as this can cause more pain 1

By following these guidelines for needle selection and proper injection technique with Lantus SoloStar insulin pens, patients can achieve optimal insulin delivery while minimizing pain and complications.