insulin glargine

Brand names: BASAGLAR KwikPen, BASAGLAR Tempo Pen

# Understanding Insulin Glargine Insulin glargine is a medicine that helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Your body naturally makes insulin to keep your blood sugar balanced, but people with diabetes don't make enough of it on their own. This long-acting insulin works slowly and steadily throughout the day and night to keep your blood sugar from getting too high. Doctors prescribe it for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and it's usually given as an injection under the skin once a day. It's important to use insulin glargine exactly as your doctor tells you, because taking too much can cause your blood sugar to drop dangerously low (called hypoglycemia). Be extra careful if you also take other diabetes medicines, blood pressure medicines, or certain antibiotics, since these can increase your risk of low blood sugar. Always watch for warning signs like shaking, sweating, confusion, or extreme hunger, and keep fast-acting sugar nearby in case of emergencies. Store your insulin in the refrigerator until you use it, and never freeze it. Talk to your doctor about any other medicines you take and keep regular check-ups to make sure your diabetes is well controlled.

Known Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6 includes clinically significant drug interactions with BASAGLAR Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with BASAGLAR Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics. Intervention: Dose reductions and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when BASAGLAR is co-administered with these drugs. Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of BASAGLAR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutal

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED38,626 reports
  • OFF LABEL USE11,733 reports
  • BLOOD GLUCOSE DECREASED10,402 reports
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE10,396 reports
  • INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION9,944 reports
  • NAUSEA9,719 reports
  • PRODUCT STORAGE ERROR8,900 reports
  • VISUAL IMPAIRMENT8,653 reports
  • HYPOGLYCAEMIA7,850 reports
  • DIARRHOEA6,983 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with insulin glargine:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.