Lantus Dosage/Direction for Use

Strictly follow the recommended dosage unless directed otherwise by the physician.
Dosage: Given its prolonged duration of action, Lantus may be administered once daily at any time of the day, however, at the same time every day. The physician will adjust the dosage individually, and will also give guidance on where to inject Lantus, when blood sugar measurements are to be performed and whether urine tests are necessary. The physician may prescribe Lantus with either a short-acting insulin or an oral antidiabetic.
When changing from a treatment regimen with an intermediate or another long-acting insulin to a regimen with Lantus, a change of the dose of the basal insulin may be required and the concomitant antidiabetic treatment may need to be adjusted (dose and timing of additional short-acting insulins or fast-acting insulin analogues or the dose of oral antidiabetic agents).
To reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia, when patients are transferred from once daily insulin glargine 300 Units/mL to once daily Lantus, the recommended initial Lantus dose is 80% of the insulin glargine 300 Units/mL dose that is being discontinued.
When twice-daily NPH insulin treatment is substituted with once daily Lantus treatment, the initial dose should be reduced by approximately 20% (compared to total daily IU of NPH insulin), and then adjusted based on patient response. This reduction should be compensated, at least partially, by an increase in mealtime insulin. Thereafter, the dosage should again be adjusted individually.
As with other insulin analogues, patients with high insulin doses because of antibodies to human insulin may experience an improved insulin response with Lantus. Metabolic control, particularly in such patients, should be closely monitored during the transition and in the initial weeks thereafter.
With improved metabolic control and resultant increase in insulin sensitivity (reduced insulin requirements), further adjustment of the doses of Lantus and other insulins or oral antidiabetic agents in the regimen may become necessary. Dose adjustment may also be required in conjunction with, e.g., weight or life-style changes, change in timing of insulin dose or other circumstances which may promote increased susceptibility to hypo- or hyperglycaemia or concomitant illness (see Precautions). Any change of insulin dose should be made under medical supervision.
Administration: Lantus in vial: Lantus is given by subcutaneous injection. Within the given injection area, choose a different site for each injection.
Since its prolonged duration of action is dependent on subcutaneous administration, Lantus is not intended for intravenous use since it could result in severe hypoglycaemia.
Inspect each vial before use. Only use it if the solution is clear, colorless, with no solid particles visible and if it is of a water-like consistency. As it is a solution, Lantus requires no re-suspension prior to use. Syringes must not contain any other medicines or traces thereof.
Mixing or dilution with any other product may change the effectiveness of Lantus or cause it to precipitate and must therefore be avoided.
The date of the first withdrawal from the vial should be noted on the label.
Lantus in cartridge for OptiPen: Lantus in a cartridge is intended for use in the OptiPen injection device. The patient must be able to operate this device properly and be aware of potential malfunctions (e.g. the display goes out while dose is being set) and steps to take if these occur.
Lantus is given by subcutaneous injection. Within the given injection area, choose a different site for each injection.
Since its prolonged duration of action is dependent on subcutaneous administration, Lantus IS NOT INTENDED FOR INTRAVENOUS USE since it could result in severe hypoglycaemia.
The cartridges for OptiPen are to be used in conjunction with an insulin pen such as OptiPen and other pens suitable for Lantus cartridges, and as recommended in the information provided by the device manufacturer.
The manufacturer's instructions for using the pen must be followed carefully for loading the cartridge, attaching the needle, and administering the insulin injection.
If the insulin pen is damaged or not working properly (due to mechanical defects) it has to be discarded, and a new insulin pen has to be used.
If the pen malfunctions (see Instruction for using the pen), the patient may draw the insulin from the cartridge into a syringe (suitable for an insulin with 100 units/ml) and inject it. Syringes must not contain any other medicines or traces thereof.
Before insertion into the pen, keep the cartridge of Lantus at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
Inspect each cartridge before use. It must only be used if the solution is clear, colourless, with no solid particles visible and if it is of a water-like consistency. As it is a solution, Lantus requires no resuspension prior to use.
Remove any air bubbles from the cartridge before injection (see Instructions for using the pen).
Mixing or dilution with any other product may change the effectiveness of Lantus or cause it to precipitate and must therefore be avoided. Do not re-fill empty cartridges.
Lantus in pre-filled pen (Lantus SoloStar): Lantus is administered subcutaneously.
Lantus should not be administered intravenously. The prolonged duration of action of Lantus is dependent on its injection into subcutaneous tissue. Intravenous administration of the usual subcutaneous dose could result in severe hypoglycaemia.
There are no clinically relevant differences in serum insulin or glucose levels after abdominal, deltoid or thigh administration of Lantus. Injection sites must be rotated within a given injection area from one injection to the next.
Lantus must not be mixed with any other insulin or diluted. Mixing or diluting can change its time/action profile and mixing can cause precipitation.
Before using SoloStar, the Instruction for Use included in the Package leaflet must be read carefully.
Special Populations: Children: Lantus can be administrated to children ≥2 years of age. Administration to children <2 years has not been studied.