Insulin glargine

Diabetes

Also known as Lantus, Basaglar

Insulin glargine is a slow, steady insulin that works in the background for about a full day. It's not meant to cover meals — it holds your baseline blood sugar steady while you sleep and between meals. Consistency is the whole game: same time every day, and know how to spot and treat a low before you ever need to.

How to take it

When

Once daily at the same time each day, exactly as prescribed. Rotate where you inject — belly, thigh, upper arm — so your skin stays healthy.

Food

Keep eating regular meals. Going long stretches without food while insulin is working is how lows happen.

Never share

Never share your insulin pen with anyone, even with a brand-new needle — it can pass serious infections between people.

Know your lows

Shakiness, sweating, confusion, or a racing heart means low blood sugar: take fast sugar like juice or glucose tabs, then a snack. Wearing medical ID is a genuinely good idea with insulin.

Missed a dose?

If you miss your usual dose, call your doctor or diabetes team for advice rather than guessing, and check your blood sugar more often. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Common side effects

Low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, hunger)
Redness, itching, or small lumps at injection sites
Mild weight gain
Swelling in hands or feet

Call a doctor if

Severe low blood sugar with confusion, inability to swallow, seizure, or passing out — this is an emergency. Someone should give glucagon if available and call emergency services.
Lows happening often or without warning signs — call your doctor to adjust your plan.
A rash all over, trouble breathing, or a fast heartbeat after injecting — get help now.
Swelling in your ankles with rapid weight gain — call your doctor.

Educational only. This summary is drawn from public FDA labeling and MedlinePlus and simplified for readability. Your prescription label and your pharmacist always come first — doses and instructions vary from person to person.