Insulin Glargine
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Insulin Glargine during a consultation by Dr Noor in Perth.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address questions people often ask. It does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It also does not replace guidance from your veterinary care team.
Description
- This medicine is a long-lasting type of insulin.
- It is a liquid medicine that is given by injection.
- It comes as either a vial or a pen.
- Most versions have 100 units of insulin in each 1 mL of liquid.
- There is also a stronger version that has 300 units per 1 mL. This stronger version is not meant to be swapped with the other insulin glargine products.
Other common names
- Basaglar
- Lantus
- Rezvoglar
- Semglee
NOTE: Toujeo is a stronger insulin glargine liquid and is not meant to be used in place of the other types.
Uses
This medicine is not specifically approved for animals, but it is approved for people. Your veterinarian may still choose to use it for animals (extra-label use), including for:
- Treatment of diabetes in dogs, cats, and other species
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any other medicines or supplements your animal is taking
- Any health problems your animal has now, or has had before
- Any unwanted reactions your animal has had to medicines in the past
- The risks of using this medicine if your animal is pregnant or nursing
Warnings for animals
Do not use this medicine in animals:
- That have an allergy to this medicine
- That are not eating
- That already have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia, meaning blood sugar that is too low)
Some animal competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is taking any medicine.
Warnings for humans
Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
To reduce the chance of being stuck by a needle:
- Throw away used needles, syringes, and pen needles right after use.
- Do not put the cap back on a syringe needle before you throw it away.
How do I give this medication? Insulin Glargine
- Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it.
- Follow the directions on the prescription label every time.
- Insulin glargine does not need to be shaken or rolled.
- Before using it, confirm the liquid is clear and colorless. Do not use it if the liquid has changed color or if you see crystals.
- Use only U100 syringes with U100 insulin glargine, or use pen needles that are made for your animal’s pen.
- Do not reuse needles, syringes, or pen needles.
- Before injecting, always confirm the dose in the syringe. Too much insulin can be fatal.
- Inject it under the skin at the same time(s) each day, right after your animal eats.
- If liquid drips from the needle after you give the injection, or if you think only part of the dose went in, do not give another dose. Wait and give the normal dose at the next scheduled time.
- If you are unsure about how to give insulin, contact your veterinarian.
- Do not give insulin if your animal is not eating. Contact your veterinarian.
- It is common for your veterinarian to change the dose over time.
Side effects
Common — contact your veterinarian if these problems are strong, keep happening, or get worse over time:
- Skin changes where injections are given, such as bumps or thicker skin. Changing injection locations can help reduce these skin problems.
Severe — stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic right away if you notice:
- Weakness, low energy, unsteady walking, behavior changes, muscle twitching, or seizures. These can be signs of low blood sugar.
- Hives, swelling of the head or neck, loud breathing, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of an allergy, even though this is uncommon.
Be ready for an unexpected low-blood-sugar event. Keep a real sugar source available, such as honey, table sugar, corn syrup, or liquid glucose packets. Do not use sugar substitutes like xylitol or aspartame, because they may be poisonous.
In case of low blood sugar:
- If your animal is unconscious or having a seizure, this is an emergency. Go to a veterinarian immediately.
- If your animal is awake and can swallow, rub about 1 tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on the gums until your animal is alert enough to eat. Then give a meal and contact your veterinarian.
How will I know it's working?
- If your animal’s signs get worse or do not improve, contact your veterinary clinic.
- This medicine usually begins to work within 1 to 2 hours, but you may not be able to see the effect.
- Your veterinarian will need to do follow-up testing to check how well it is working.
How long will the medication effects last?
- Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin. Its effect may last from 12 to 22 hours.
- The effect may last longer if your animal’s kidneys or liver are not working as well.
How long do I give it for?
- This medicine may be used for different time periods, but it is often needed for life.
- Continue for as long as your veterinarian instructs.
- Refill the prescription in time so treatment is not interrupted.
- You may want to keep an extra vial or pen at home in case one breaks or there is a delay in getting a refill.
Overdose
- Too much insulin can cause a dangerous, life-threatening drop in blood sugar.
- Signs of low blood sugar can include weakness, low energy, unsteady walking, behavior changes, muscle twitching, seizures, or coma.
- A needle-stick injury can cause pain and infection. If you are stuck by a needle, contact your doctor.
If you see or think an overdose happened, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control service (a consultation fee may apply):
- Have the product or label available if you can.
Missed dose
- Missing a dose can cause signs of high blood sugar, such as drinking more and urinating more, but it is not life-threatening.
- Call your veterinarian as soon as you can to ask when to give the next dose.
- If you cannot reach your veterinarian and your animal is eating and acting normally, give the usual dose at the next regular scheduled time.
- Do not give two doses to make up for a missed one. This can cause a life-threatening overdose.
Storage
- Keep unopened vials and pens in the refrigerator.
- Opened vials can be kept in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Opened pens should be kept at room temperature.
- Do not store pens with the pen needle attached.
- Keep away from light and heat.
- Do not freeze. If it has frozen, throw it away.
- Keep insulin, needles, and syringes where children and animals cannot reach them.
Disposal
- Throw away insulin vials and pens 28 days after they are first opened.
Insulin disposal:
Do not pour this medicine into a sink or flush it in a toilet. Ways to get rid of unused or expired medicine include:
- Do not keep leftover medicine or give it to someone else.
- Drug take-back sites: This is the preferred option when possible. To find a nearby location, contact local law enforcement or your waste management office.
- Home disposal: Mix the medicine with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put it in a sealed plastic bag, and place it in the trash.
Disposal of used needles and syringes:
- Put used needles and syringes into a sharps container.
- Your veterinarian or pharmacist can help you get a sharps container.
- When the sharps container is about three-quarters full, dispose of it. Ask your local trash service or health department which disposal options are available where you live.
Questions?
Talk to your veterinarian.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”