A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.
LANTUS (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin prescribed to treat high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) in people with diabetes mellitus.
LANTUS can provide around-the-clock treatment for hyperglycemia. It is often paired with other short-acting insulins that are used around meal-time.
Directions
Inject LANTUS once daily under the skin. The dose of LANTUS insulin is determined by the doctor based on several factors like blood glucose monitoring, type of diabetes, and glycemic control.
Do not mix in the same vial with other types of insulin
Ingredients
The active ingredient in LANTUS is insulin glargine.
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that is usually injected once per day. Long-acting insulins last for 24 hours in most people.
LANTUS comes as a vial or a pre-filled pen called LANTUS SOLOSTAR.
Interactions
Certain medications can affect the blood glucose of patients with diabetes mellitus. These medications include:
Alcohol
Atypical Antipsychotics
Beta-blockers
Clonidine
Corticosteroids
Disopyramide
Diuretics
Estrogens/Progesterones
Fibrates
Fluoxetine
Isoniazid
Lithium
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Niacin
Oral antidiabetic agents
Pentoxifylline
Phenothiazine derivatives
Pramlintide
Propoxyphene
Protease inhibitors
Salicylates
Somatostatin Analogues
Somatropin
Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Sympathomimetic agents
Thyroid replacement medication
If you start, stop, or change any of the above medications while taking insulin, speak with your doctor. Your dosage may need to be adjusted.
Cautions
Do not share insulin pen between different patients, even if the pen needle is changed after each injection.
Carefully read the label for LANTUS before injecting to make sure medication occurs do not happen. Too much insulin can lead to a life-threatening condition called hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Side Effects
Some of the more common side effects of LANTUS include:
Allergic reactions
Edema
Hypoglycemia
Injection site reactions
Lipodystrophy
Pruritis
Rash
Weight gain
Rotating injection sites can decrease the incidence of certain side effects like lipodystrophy and injection site reactions.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.