Insulin Glargine

Uses	Diabetes Mellitus
Therapy	Anti-Diabetic
Side Effects	Low Blood Glucose Level, Injection Site Reactions, Rash, Allergic Reactions

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Molecule Description

Insulin Glargine is a type of insulin medication used to control high blood sugar.

Uses

It is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus Type 1.

Contraindications

When should one not use Insulin Glargine

If you are allergic to Insulin Glargine.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
Drowsiness
Fast heartbeat
Headache
Anxiety
Nausea
Injection site side effects like skin thickening and shrinking
Skin allergic reactions like itching, swelling, pain
Fatigue
Dysgeusia (taste disorders)
Muscular pain

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Insulin Glargine is not contraindicated in pregnancy but consult your doctor before you start the medication. Your dose of insulin may be changed by your doctor in pregnancy and after childbirth.

Breast Feeding

Mothers with diabetes taking insulin can breastfeed their babies. Inform your doctor before taking any medicine during breastfeeding.

Driving

Insulin Glargine is known to cause low blood sugar levels; this can lead to impairment in your driving ability. Always keep sugar or a chocolate in your car with you while driving. In case you experience any of the symptoms of low blood glucose levels - stop driving and have some sugar.

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol may lead to an increased risk of both hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose level) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose level). Avoid excessive use of alcohol while taking Insulin Glargine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You are breastfeeding
Your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycaemia)
You have any plans to travel abroad
You are ill or having any major injury

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

The primary activity of Insulin Glargine is the regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin is crucial to allow entry of blood glucose into each cell of the body. In Type 1 diabetes mellitus, the body fails to produce adequate insulin. This leads to glucose accumulating in the blood and causes high blood glucose. Insulin Glargine lowers blood sugars by stimulating glucose uptake by cells, tissue and muscles (especially by skeletal muscles and fat) and by inhibiting glucose production by the liver.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

All other medicines to treat diabetes
Medicines used to treat certain heart conditions or high blood pressure
Medicines used to treat certain heart conditions (Disopyramide)
Medicines used to treat depression (Fluoxetine)
Medicines used to lower high levels of blood lipids like Fibrates
Medicines used to treat depression
Medicines used to relieve pain and lower fever such as Aspirin
Sulphonamide antibiotics
Glucagon (pancreas hormone used to treat severe hypoglycaemia)
Medicines used to treat tuberculosis (Isoniazid)
Contraceptive pill used for birth control
Medicines used to treat psychiatric disorders (Phenothiazine derivatives)
Somatropin (growth hormone)
Medicines used to treat asthma (Salbutamol, Terbutaline)
Medicines used to treat thyroid gland disorders
Antipsychotic medicines (like Clozapine, Olanzapine)

Interactions with food items

No information is available on interactions of Insulin Glargine when taken with food, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Dosage

Overdose

Excess Insulin Glargine will lead to low blood sugar levels called hypoglycemia. Symptoms like dizziness, fainting, sweating and tremors may be seen. If you have the blood glucometer with you, test immediately and confirm. Whether or not you test your glucose levels, it is important to take some glucose water/ juice/ eat sugar or chocolates immediately and then rush to your doctor (since it is generally less dangerous to have high blood glucose levels than have very low blood glucose levels).

Missed a Dose

If you missed any dose, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if its almost time for the next dose and do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have Type 2 diabetes not responding to oral medicines, your doctor may suggest that you start taking insulin hereafter. Discuss the accurate history of diabetes, past and ongoing medications that you have been taking and all the blood reports, so that your doctor can decide the dose of insulin best suited for you. Give an account of any other conditions that you may have and all the medicines that you are taking. Few of them may need to be altered/ changed. You should not use Insulin Glargine if you have recurrent intermittent low sugar levels. Discuss any such history if you have. Blood sugars should be monitored every month while on treatment. Inform your doctor if you have liver kidney problems or are allergic to any form of insulin. Mention if you have had any history of needle shock syndrome.

Insulin Glargine consists of microcrystals that slowly release insulin with a long duration of action of 18-24 hours with a peakless profile. It comes in the form of an injection that is administered just beneath the skin. It may be administered at any time during the day; it should be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) once daily at the same time every day. Keep rotating the injection sites to avoid injection-related fat loss of the area.