Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects millions of people in the United States. In order to regulate blood sugars, many diabetics require the use of subcutaneously injected insulin. There are many types of insulin available for purchase and diabetics typically have an individualized insulin regimen tailored by a physician. Many of these regimens may include the use of long-acting insulins such as insulin glargine.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs from the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of endogenous insulin and/or poor sensitivity to insulin by cells and tissues. The primary role of insulin within the body is to signal the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream by cells and tissues for use as energy to drive various metabolic processes. Unfortunately, this complex process is impaired in patients who suffer from diabetes. As a result, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar. Prolonged exposure to elevated blood glucose is a major risk factor for the development of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and neuropathies.
Long-Acting Insulin
There are many types of insulin, each with unique properties that include time to onset and duration of action. Each type of insulin serves a specific purpose in a tailored insulin regimen. For example, rapid and short-acting insulins have a quick onset and short duration of action to mimic the insulin levels in healthy individuals following consumption of a meal. In addition, these insulins tend to produce a peak level effect. In contrast, long-acting insulins do not produce the same magnitude of peak levels but they do have a longer duration of action. These types of insulin are designed to mimic basal levels of insulin that are seen in the body throughout the day.
Insulin Glargine
Insulin glargine, marketed under the brand name Lantus by Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults. In children, insulin glargine is approved for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. As a long-acting insulin, insulin glargine has an onset of action within one hour and a duration of action up to 26 hours. There is no clear peak level effect with insulin glargine. Insulin glargine requires a prescription from a licensed medical provider prior to purchase.
Considerations
Insulin glargine is available in different options for injection, including multi-dose vial and pens. Patients should consult with their physician to determine which options are best for them. In addition, patients should become familiar with the use, handling and storage of insulin glargine prior to use. As with all insulin products, glargine can cause low blood sugar, otherwise known as hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar typically requires immediate intervention and patients using any type of insulin should be informed of actions to take if hypoglycemia occurs.
