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Lantus (Insulin Glargine) for diabetes: online prescription available

If you are living with diabetes, Lantus can help. Get a new online prescription or refill of Lantus today from a board-certified doctor online.* Same-day prescriptions can be sent to your local pharmacy for pick-up.

FDA-approved to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes Available as an injection Effective prescriptions for diabetes

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About Lantus

Lantus is considered an insulin analog, a type of biologic acts similarly to human insulin with the benefit that it may enter your body more slowly allowing for gradual and consistent blood sugar management. It increases human insulin levels by using living cells in its formula. Like any insulin drug, this medication can only be used for diabetes management.

Lantus can treat both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, available by prescription only. While there are no generic forms of Lantus, there is a biosimilar option known as insulin glargine. This biosimilar version of Lantus is sold under the brand name Semglee.

Lantus is prescribed as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), available in a vial that patients draw up in a syringe, or as pen injectors that dispense the medication directly. It’s always important to follow the specific instructions on your prescription, as they can vary based on the formulation and dosage you are prescribed.

If you are prescribed Lantus, be sure to continue using the drug as instructed by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will regularly evaluate your condition and adjust your treatment. This includes regularly measuring your blood sugar levels and your hemoglobin A1C, which is the 90-day average of your blood sugars. This is applicable for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

If you do not follow the doctor's directions, your blood sugar may not significantly improve which can lead to long term risks. If you use more than the prescribed amount of Lantus, you are also at risk of low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, as a complication.

Lantus uses

Lantus is only FDA-approved for the treatment of diabetes. If you have questions about why a medication is prescribed, ask your online doctor.

Diabetes Treatment

The FDA has approved the use of Lantus as a treatment for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Lantus is a type of insulin drug, which makes it an appropriate option for both major types of diabetes.

Patients with type 1 diabetes experienced a low level of insulin in their blood. This is due to insufficient insulin production from the pancreas. When insulin levels are low, glucose cannot effectively enter cells. This results in high blood sugar levels, along with fatigue and other symptoms. With type 2 diabetes, the patient may experience an increase in resistance to insulin. By increasing insulin levels, more glucose may enter cells and exit the bloodstream. This can produce a glucose-lowering effect in the body.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

One Two Three

Cons

Lantus side effects

The side effects of Lantus are usually mild to moderate. Patients should still be wary of warnings and precautions associated with the medicine. Most Lantus side effects are associated with blood sugar control. Lantus has some common side effects. They may include:

Weight gain

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Blurred vision

A fast heartbeat

Sweating

Shaking

There are some rare cases where side effects of Lantus may cause a significant reduction in blood sugar levels. When the patient uses a Lantus insulin glargine injection, they should ensure they know the signs of low blood sugar levels. These side effects of Lantus can sometimes be severe and lead to unconsciousness. This is why it is important to get a basal insulin dose baseline and carefully follow the dosage instructions that a healthcare provider offers.

Apart from hypoglycemia as a side-effect of Lantus, patients should also be wary are potential allergic reactions. Some rare cases of serious allergic reactions have been reported. In this case, the patient may experience a rash that covers their skin. Breathing difficulties, excessive sweating, and a racing heartbeat are common symptoms. Confusion and dizziness can occur in these scenarios, as well as swelling that affects the throat, tongue, and the patient's face.

The doctor will provide patients with appropriate warnings and precautions. This includes signs of the drug inhibiting hepatic glucose production. In addition to these warnings and precautions, patients should also understand potential symptoms that signal diabetic ketoacidosis. This is why frequent blood glucose monitoring is important. Patients need to also look out for impaired glucose tolerance, especially with a high dose of Lantus.

How to take Lantus insulin medication

Your doctor or pharmacist will provide you with instructions on how to take your Lantus insulin prescription.

Be sure to read your prescription label and follow the instructions. Call your doctor or pharmacy if you have any questions.

Lantus generally comes in the form of an injection. The Lantus (insulin glargine) injection comes in various doses. The ideal dose provided is based on a basal insulin dose baseline that the doctor prescribes. Only inject the specific amount of liquid per dose prescribed by your doctor.

Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes should also regularly check their blood sugar levels while they use the Lantus (insulin glargine) injection. If there are unexpected changes to their blood sugar levels, it's important to report this to your doctor right away. Also, talk to your doctor about low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and what you can do if those side effects of Lantus occur.

What to avoid while taking Lantus

Lantus can cause interactions with certain medications. Don’t change what you are taking without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. That includes other medications or supplements, as well as over-the-counter drugs. Do not overlook the importance of frequent blood glucose monitoring.

It is important to avoid other medications that can affect your blood sugar levels or insulin while you take this medicine. The combination can cause problems like hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. If the patient develops diabetic ketoacidosis, they can experience serious complications.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is acceptable to consume alcohol while taking Lantus.

Some research shows that regular alcohol consumption may cause problems with the metabolism of glucose in the body. Alcohol may also reduce the medication’s ability to do its job, making it harder to treat diabetes. Patients who regularly consume alcohol with Lantus may also be at an increased risk of hypoglycemia.

By stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, you should ensure you implement an appropriate diet in your daily schedule. Do not skip on meals while using Lantus as part of your basal bolus insulin regimen, as this may cause irregularities in your blood sugar levels.

Lantus alternative medications

If your healthcare provider prefers to put you on another treatment altogether, they may suggest another biologic medicine or insulin in another drug class. Here are some common doctor-recommended alternatives based on your health issue:

Allergic To Lantus

If the patient experiences an allergic reaction to Lantus, the doctor will recommend a different treatment option. Patients with type 1 diabetes will be provided with an alternative type of insulin, as this is the most critical factor to consider when treating type 1. In cases of type 2 diabetes, the doctor may consider other options too.

Metformin

Ozempic® Januvia

Pramlintide

Vetsulin

Humulin N Humulin R

PZI Vet

Lantus prescription FAQs

How much does Lantus cost?

There are different factors that go into determining the price of Lantus. The prescribed dose of Lantus is an important consideration. Patients who struggle more with blood sugar levels may require more than the `100 units ml u that doctors often prescribe. The higher dose leads to an increase in the cost. Apart from the dose of Lantus, where the patient picks up the prescription also matters.

How can I refill my Lantus prescription?

Due to the controlled status of Lantus, patients will need to obtain a prescription and visit a pharmacy in order to refill their medication.

What should I monitor after giving Lantus?

It is important to keep an eye on blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar can develop in people who use Lantus. Severe hypoglycemia can be dangerous. It is also important to monitor the effects on renal or hepatic function. If the patient experiences issues like renal or hepatic impairment, then they should consult with their doctor. This long acting insulin can cause a severe allergic reaction in some patients. Thus, it is important to also monitor for signs of a severe allergic reaction. You should also look for signs of an infection on your skin at the injection site. This is why you should rotate your injection sites, as this reduces these risks. Talk to your doctor about discontinuation or dose reduction if you experience a significant reduction in blood sugar levels when you use the medication.

When should you not give Lantus?

It is important to be aware of clinically significant drug interactions when using Lantus. Whether using an injection 100 units ml or a different dose, this long-acting insulin can interact with certain drugs. It is also important to avoid giving Lantus to someone who uses another type of short-acting insulin or an insulin pump. Blood glucose monitoring can also help a patient understand when they should not use insulin.

What is the best time of day to take Lantus?

There is no ideal time to take Lantus in order to help with blood glucose control. Doctors generally advise that any time of the day is appropriate. With this said, it is also advised to keep doses at the same time each day. This reduces the risk of missed doses, which can adversely affect blood glucose. If you are not sure, use blood glucose monitoring to help you understand when your dose of Lantus will be most effective.

How long can Lantus be left out of the refrigerator?

You should not use Lantus if you keep it out of the refrigerator and at room temperature for a period longer than 28 days.

Who should not take Lantus?

Lantus is not appropriate for people who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to biologic insulin in the past. It is also important to avoid using Lantus if you use any medicines that may also affect blood glucose. Read the warnings and precautions carefully to understand if this is an appropriate medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose of Lantus?

You should take the dose of Lantus as soon as you remember. With this said, do not take two doses of the medicine within 24 hours of each other. This causes a higher risk of your blood glucose levels falling significantly.

What happens if I take too much Lantus?

If you take too much insulin, then your blood glucose levels will fall more than they should. This leads to intensified insulin therapy. The blood glucose-lowering effect is significantly increased, which can lead to severe hypoglycemia. It is crucial to have high-sugar options like juice, candy, or soda in small quantities available to you should this happen.

Step 1

Book a Lantus prescription request appointment.

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Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your Lantus prescription.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up your Lantus prescription.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

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