Lantus, Basaglar, Semglee, Toujeo: Glargine Explained

Insulin glargine at a glance

Full Insulin glargine reference: uses, dosing, side effects →

Biosimilars, simply

An interchangeable biosimilar can be swapped for the original at the pharmacy, where state law allows, just like a generic. Semglee and Rezvoglar have that status for Lantus, which often lowers the price.

Toujeo is different

Toujeo holds three times as much insulin per mL. People switching from U-100 glargine often need a somewhat different dose. Do not convert doses yourself and never draw Toujeo into a regular syringe.

Daily routine

Inject once a day at the same time. Do not dilute glargine or mix it with other insulins.

1. Check the label and the insulin's appearance before every dose.
2. Attach a new needle and do the safety (prime) shot the leaflet describes.
3. Inject under the skin and hold the needle in for the time the leaflet says.
4. Rotate sites within an area to avoid lumpy skin (lipohypertrophy), which slows absorption.
5. Never share pens, even with a new needle.

Low blood sugar

Know your low-sugar plan. Signs include shaking, sweating, a fast heartbeat, hunger, confusion and irritability. A common approach is the rule of 15: take 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate (glucose tablets, juice or regular soda), recheck after 15 minutes, and repeat if still low. Make sure someone close to you knows how to use rescue glucagon.

Storage

Unopened: refrigerate. In use: Lantus up to 28 days, Toujeo up to 56 days at room temperature.

In the US, Medicare caps insulin out-of-pocket costs at $35 a month, and manufacturers run $35 programs for many people with commercial insurance or none. Check eligibility before paying list price.

What happened to Levemir?

Insulin detemir (Levemir) has been discontinued in the US. If you used it, your prescriber will have moved you to another basal insulin such as glargine or degludec.

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