Lantus (Insulin Glargine) Peak Time
Lantus (insulin glargine) has no peak action time—it provides a relatively constant, peakless insulin concentration over 24 hours. 1, 2, 3
Pharmacokinetic Profile
- Onset of action: Approximately 1 hour after subcutaneous injection 1, 2
- Peak: None—no pronounced peak in plasma insulin levels 1, 2, 3
- Duration: Approximately 24 hours 1, 2, 3
Clinical Significance of the Peakless Profile
The absence of a peak is the defining characteristic that distinguishes Lantus from intermediate-acting insulins like NPH. 1, 2
The peakless profile results from insulin glargine's unique formulation: it is soluble at acidic pH (4.0) but precipitates in the neutral pH of subcutaneous tissue, creating microprecipitates that slowly release insulin 4, 5, 6
This provides a relatively constant concentration/time profile over 24 hours, mimicking physiologic basal insulin secretion more closely than NPH insulin 3, 5
The lack of peak significantly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, particularly nocturnal hypoglycemia, compared to NPH insulin. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Comparison with Other Insulins
The following table demonstrates how Lantus differs from other insulin types 1, 2:
| Insulin Type | Onset | Peak (hours) | Duration (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid-acting (aspart, lispro) | 5 minutes | 1-2 | 3-4 |
| Regular insulin | 15 minutes | 3-4 | 6-8 |
| NPH (intermediate-acting) | 1 hour | 6-8 | 12 |
| Lantus (glargine) | 1 hour | None | 24 |
Important Clinical Caveats
The time course of action may vary between individual patients and even within the same patient over time. 3
Lantus provides basal insulin coverage only and does not address postprandial glucose excursions—it must be combined with rapid-acting or short-acting insulin at mealtimes for complete glycemic control 1, 7
The peakless profile allows for once-daily administration at any time of day (bedtime, morning, or other convenient time), though consistency in timing is recommended 1, 7, 6