Basaglar KwikPen

Insulin glargine is a man-made form of a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin glargine is a long-acting form of insulin that is slightly different from other forms of insulin that are not man-made.

Insulin glargine is used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Some brands of this medicine are for use only in adults. Carefully follow all instructions for the brand of insulin glargine you are using.

Insulin glargine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medicine if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis.

You should not use insulin glargine if you are allergic to it, or:

• if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar); or
• if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with a short-acting insulin).

To make sure insulin glargine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease; or
• congestive heart failure or other heart problems.

Tell your doctor about all other diabetes medications you use, especially pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medications while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

It is not known whether insulin glargine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether insulin glargine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not change the brand of insulin glargine or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin glargine on lowering your blood sugar. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. If you use more than one type of insulin: Avoid accidental mix-ups by carefully checking your medicine label each time you use insulin.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The Toujeo brand of insulin glargine contains 3 times as much insulin per milliliter (mL) as the Lantus or Basaglar brands. There are 300 units of insulin in 1 mL of Toujeo, and 100 units in 1 mL of Lantus or Basaglar.

If there are any changes in the brand, strength, or type of insulin you use, your dosage needs may change. Always check your medicine when it is refilled to make sure you have received the correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.

Using too much insulin glargine can cause severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which could lead to seizures or death.

Insulin glargine is injected under the skin once per day, at the same time each day. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Do not mix this medication with other insulins.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject insulin glargine. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, or feeling shaky. Always keep a source of sugar with you in case you have low blood sugar. Sugar sources include fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, and non-diet soda. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use a glucagon injection. Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to use it.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss.

Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel, illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

Insulin glargine is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Storing unopened vials or injection pens: Store in a refrigerator, protected from light. Do not use if the expiration date on the medicine label has passed.

For Basaglar or Lantus: Unopened vials or injection pens may be stored at room temperature but you must use them within 28 days. Protect the medicine from heat and light.

Storing vials after your first use: You may keep an "in-use" vial in the refrigerator or at room temperature protected from light. Use within 28 days.

Storing injection pens after your first use: Keep the "in-use" injection pen at room temperature protected from heat and light. Do not store in a refrigerator. Store the pen with its cap on.

The Lantus Solostar or Basaglar KwikPen injection pen should be thrown away 28 days after the first use. The Toujeo Solostar injection pen should be thrown away 42 days after the first use.

Do not freeze insulin glargine, and throw away the medicine if it has become frozen.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. You should not use more than one dose in a 24-hour period unless your doctor tells you to.

Keep insulin glargine on hand at all times. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Never share an injection pen or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Insulin glargine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old, and should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age.

To make sure insulin glargine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and your dose needs may be different during each trimester of pregnancy. Your dose needs may also be different while you are breast-feeding.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.