Insulin, a pancreatic hormone, is needed by the body to convert or store glucose. Type 1 diabetics, as well as some type 2 diabetics, need daily injections of insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Lantus, the brand name for insulin glargine, is a long-acting insulin with an onset of one hour and a duration of 24 hours, according to the “Nursing 2010 Drug Handbook.” It is injected under the skin once a day at bedtime, and is available in multi-dose vials as well as pre-filled cartridges.
Preparation
Step 1
Wash your hands.
Step 2
Check the vial, syringe and the dosage instructions. Roll the vial in your hands to warm the insulin. Make sure that it is clear and cloudless.
Step 3
Remove the cap from the vial, swab the rubber top with an alcohol pad and allow it to dry.
Step 4
Remove the cap from the needle. It is easier to withdraw insulin from the vial if you inject an equal amount of air first. Pull back on the plunger, draw in enough air to equal the insulin dose, then insert the needle into the vial and inject the air.
Step 5
Invert the vial and withdraw the prescribed dose of insulin. If bubbles appear in the syringe, tap it and release the air back into the vial. Withdraw more insulin if necessary until the full dose is in the syringe.
Step 6
Remove the needle from the syringe. If you must set the syringe down, recap it first.
Administration
Step 1
Select an injection site and clean the skin around it with an alcohol pad. Use a different site for each injection.
Step 2
Pinch a fold of skin with the fingers of your non-dominant hand. Holding the syringe with your dominant hand, quickly insert the needle into the skin at a 45- to 90-degree angle.
Step 3
Inject the insulin slowly by pushing on the plunger.
Step 4
Pull the needle out and apply light pressure to the skin with a gauze square.
Step 5
Discard the syringe or cartridge in a disposal container.
Tips and Warnings
- Store unopened vials or cartridges of Lantus in the refrigerator. Never freeze or heat Lantus.
- On July 1, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified health care providers and patients that it is reviewing the safety data for Lantus, including the possibility that Lantus may be associated with an increased risk of cancer. The FDA recommends that patients should not stop their insulin therapy without consulting a physician. As of June 2010, FDA has not updated this safety warning. Follow your health care provider’s dosing instructions carefully. Contact your health care provider if you become ill, gain or lose weight, change your diet or change your exercise routine, as your dose of Lantus may need to be adjusted. Do not adjust the dose yourself.
Things You'll Need
- Lantus, 100 units per ml
- Insulin syringe, U100
- Alcohol pads
- Gauze square
- Disposal container
References
- American Diabetes Association: Insulin Basics
- "Fundamentals of Nursing"; Carol Taylor, R.N., Ph.D.; 2008
- "Nursing 2010 Drug Handbook"; Judith A. Schilling McCann, R.N., M.S.N.;2010
- FDA: Lantus (Insulin Glargine)
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