Understanding the Long-Acting Insulin Glargine for Diabetes Treatment

 

 Insulin Glargine 

What is Lantus and Basaglar?

Insulin Glargine, also known by the brand names Lantus and Basaglar, is a long-acting man-made insulin that is used to treat diabetes. Unlike regular human insulin, Lantus and Basaglar is an artificially created version of human insulin that is designed to have a predictable and prolonged effect, with little peak action and a relatively flat glucose-lowering profile.

How Does Lantus and Basaglar Work?

After injection into the subcutaneous tissue just under the skin, Lantus and Basaglar forms microcrystals from which small amounts of insulin are continuously released over an extended period. This provides basal (background) insulin needed by the body throughout the day and night. Lantus and Basaglar has a duration of action of up to 24 hours, allowing once-daily dosing in most patients.

The prolonged duration of action is due to two factors - the changes made to the insulin molecule slow absorption from the injection site, and the formation of microcrystals from which insulin is slowly released. This provides steady and sustained levels of insulin in the bloodstream with minimal peaks.

Benefits of Lantus and Basaglar

Some key benefits of Lantus and Basaglar compared to regular human insulin include:

- Predictable and extended duration of action for up to 24 hours, allowing just one daily injection in most cases. This improves compliance for patients.

- Minimal peak effect provides a smooth, continuous level of basal insulin as required by the body throughout the day and night. There is no pronounced peak like seen with regular insulin.

- The long duration and lack of pronounced peaks lowers the risk of hypoglycemia compared to regular human insulin, especially during the night time hours.

- Flexible dosing - Lantus and Basaglar can be taken at any time of the day and does not need to be timed with meals as is required for regular insulin.

- More physiological insulin profile - the level insulin action pattern more closely mimics the body's natural basal insulin secretion pattern.

Dosing and Administration of Insulin Glargine

The starting dose of Lantus and Basaglar is individualized based on a person's glycemic control and insulin requirements. It is usually started at 0.2 units/kg of body weight or 10 units once daily, administered by subcutaneous injection into the abdominal area, thigh, or upper arm using an insulin syringe or insulin pen.

Doses are then titrated upwards usually by 2-4 units every 3-4 days based on fasting blood glucose levels until target levels are reached without hypoglycemia. The maximum recommended dose is 0.6 units/kg or 40 units once daily.

Lantus and Basaglar can be taken at any time of the day but should be injected at the same time each day for consistency. The injection site should be alternated within the same body area to avoid lipohypertrophy (localized fatty tissue build-up).

Effectiveness and Safety of Insulin Glargine

Numerous clinical trials have established Lantus and Basaglar as an effective treatment for diabetes. When compared to NPH insulin, Lantus and Basaglar was found to have a more predictable glucose-lowering effect with a lower risk of hypoglycemia overall and nocturnal hypoglycemia specifically.

Some long term safety studies have found no increased risk of cancer, heart disease or blindness with Lantus and Basaglar use. However, theoretical concerns remain regarding the possibility of increased cancer risk with very long term use. Further research is still needed.

The side effects of Lantus and Basaglar are generally mild and similar to regular human insulin including hypoglycemia, weight gain, lipohypertrophy at the injection site, and allergic reactions (though less common than animal insulins). Careful glucose monitoring, dose adjustment and patient education is important to minimize risks.

Role of Lantus and Basaglar in Diabetes Management

Lantus and Basaglar has an established role as a basal (long-acting) insulin for the management of type 1 diabetes and for some patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin therapy.

In type 1 diabetes, Insulin Glargine is commonly used in basal-bolus insulin regimens in combination with rapid-acting insulin before meals to provide both basal and mealtime insulin requirements.

For type 2 diabetes, Lantus and Basaglar may be added to oral medications when diabetes control deteriorates or as the initial and only insulin when patients present with very high blood sugars and ketoacidosis. It provides basal insulin support allowing flexibility in lifestyle around meal timing.

Lantus and Basaglar is not to be used for treating diabetic ketoacidosis - for this, rapid-acting insulin should be administered. It provides a safe, effective and convenient once-daily insulin option that has transformed diabetes management for many patients over the past two decades.

New Developments with Insulin Glargine

The arrival of the follow-on biosimilar Lantus and Basaglar ‘Semglee’ and ‘Basaglar’ in recent years has expanded treatment options and lowered cost for many patients. Trials are also ongoing to evaluate newer ultra-long acting insulin formulations that may extend the dosing interval beyond 24 hours.

Research efforts continue into novel non-injectable delivery methods like inhaled insulin and wearable insulin patches to enhance convenience and potentially improve outcomes. The goal remains to achieve more physiological insulin delivery mimicking the body's natural functioning as closely as possible.

In summary, Insulin Glargine represents a significant advance for long-acting insulin treatment that has enabled improved glycemic control and quality of life for millions of people with diabetes globally in the over two decades since its development and introduction. It continues to be refined with ongoing research to maximize benefits and minimize burdens of this chronic disease.

 

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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)