From the Guidelines
Lantus SoloStar and Humalog are not similar insulins, as they have different mechanisms of action, onset times, and durations of action, making them non-interchangeable in clinical practice. Lantus SoloStar contains insulin glargine, a long-acting basal insulin that provides a steady release of insulin over 24 hours, maintaining consistent blood glucose levels 1. In contrast, Humalog contains insulin lispro, a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and is typically used at mealtimes to control blood sugar spikes after eating 1. The key differences between these insulins are:
- Onset time: Lantus has an onset time of 1 hour, while Humalog has an onset time of 5 minutes
- Peak action: Lantus has no peak action time, while Humalog peaks between 1 to 2 hours
- Duration of action: Lantus lasts for 24 hours, while Humalog lasts for 3 to 4 hours These differences highlight the distinct roles of Lantus and Humalog in diabetes management, with Lantus providing background insulin throughout the day and night, and Humalog addressing immediate blood sugar increases after meals. As a result, they cannot be substituted for each other, and their use should be guided by the individual patient's needs and treatment plan.
From the Research
Comparison of Lantus SoloStar and Humalog
- Lantus SoloStar is a disposable insulin pen for the administration of insulin glargine (Lantus) or insulin glulisine (Apidra) 2
- Humalog is a type of insulin, but it is not directly compared to Lantus SoloStar in terms of device functionality 2
- However, the Humulin/Humalog pen (Eli Lilly) is compared to SoloStar, establishing SoloStar as a state of the art pen that is suitable for most patients with diabetes 2
Key Features of Lantus SoloStar
- Designed to make insulin delivery easier and help eliminate barriers to the initiation of insulin therapy 3
- Provides a relatively constant basal level of circulating insulin with no pronounced peak 4
- Well tolerated and elicits less hypoglycaemia, especially nocturnal episodes, than NPH insulin, with similar levels of glycaemic control 4
Comparison of Insulin Glargine and Other Insulins
- Insulin glargine plus lispro or NPH insulin plus regular human insulin were compared in adolescents with type 1 diabetes on intensive insulin regimens 5
- Insulin glargine was associated with lower mean blood glucose levels and reduced incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia compared to NPH insulin therapy 5
- Combination therapy with insulin glargine plus lispro reduced the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia and was at least as effective as R/NPH insulin therapy in maintaining glycemic control 5