What Are the Side Effects of Lantus?

What should you remember to keep your blood sugar levels on a decent level? Injecting insulin on time, being careful with what you eat, maintaining a healthy weight? Sure, all these points are essential, but we would like to point out the importance of general awareness about the medications used to keep blood glucose within a safe span. One of the things that should be highlighted is, of course, the way adverse reactions may affect an individual if insulin doesn’t work properly for them or if the body needs time to get used to it. The brand of our choice for today’s discussion is Lantus; this daily insulin injection is typically selected for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and it works the same way natural insulin in the body does. Still, you must remember some adverse reactions, as they can be quite dangerous if not treated on time. Let’s dive into this exciting discussion together!

ON THE SIDE NOTE:

If you want to order Lantus from Canada, Insulin.Store is the right place to do so. Here, we offer advantageous prices, fast shipping, and high-quality of all available medications. To buy Lantus online, ensure you have a valid prescription from your doctor, register on this website, and place an order with all needed products. We will get in touch with you to confirm the order.

A Few Words About Lantus Drugs

Lantus is a prescription insulin medication for high blood sugar control (hyperglycemia); it’s typically used for kids over six years and adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as adults with type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient in these injections is insulin glargine, a man-made type of insulin. It works similarly to the one produced in the body naturally, but the effect lasts a little longer as it was designed like a long-lasting insulin to provide decent results for around 24 hours. The infusion is subcutaneous, and it should be administered into either the thighs, upper arm, or abdomen. It’s highly recommended to rotate these spots, as injecting Lantus in the same region every day may lead to irritation and skin damage, and it’s definitely not something you’d like to deal with.

Once Lantus insulin glargine is administered, the solution is released into the bloodstream. It attaches to cells that need sugar, so its absorption is better; this way, it’s easier to prevent sugar accumulation in the bloodstream. Sometimes, this product may be prescribed together with short-acting insulins for a better. This topic is better to be discussed with a medical professional, as this is the only correct way to plan a safe and effective treatment scheme.

More About Lantus Dosage

Lantus is available in a few variations, and the right one should be picked according to one’s comfort, preferences, and recommended insulin dose. The first option is a 10ml vial suitable for multiple doses (just make sure you have sterile syringes and needles with you, as a new one should be used for each infusion). The second one is a pre-filled insulin pen with 3ml of the solution (for this product, specialists recommend buying cartridges, as those can be easily replaced and carried around comfortably).

A doctor should calculate a suitable dose according to a patient’s current health conditions, diabetes management needs, weight, blood glucose results, and glycemic control goals. Lantus should be administered every day at the same hours; some people prefer setting an alarm for every day to not forget about the injection. If it’s the first experience for an individual, it’s important to ask the doctor to show them the right way of Lantus infusion, as this skill can only be developed with time and practice. Keep a medical professional informed about any changes in sugar levels or adverse reactions to receive proper help if complications occur after the injection session.

Lantus (Insulin) Side Effects and Risks: Everything You Should Know

Finally, we reached the essence of today’s article – Lantus side effects and drug interaction each patient should remember. It’s also called “safety information,” as knowing that can keep a person safe and avoid adverse reactions. Let’s start the discussion!

SIDE NOTE: Are you looking to compare weight loss medications and uncover the differences between Saxenda and Mounjaro? Explore our article, “Saxenda vs. Mounjaro: Uncover Weight Loss Medications” for comprehensive insights that will assist you in making informed decisions about these two options for weight management.

Common Side Effects of Lantus Insulin

As with all insulin and insulin-like products, Lantus has certain common adverse reactions that occur in almost every patient. These are temporal and can last from a few days to a week, and it’s natural as the body needs time to get used to the medication and accept it. However, if they last longer than that, it’s crucial to inform a specialist about the problem and find a solution.

Here are common side effects you should remember:

• Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, itching);
• Hypoglucemia (low blood sugar);
• Common cold (upper respiratory infections);
• Weight gain;
• Lipodystrophy (lumps, skin thickening, dents, and other skin changes due to fatty tissue alterations).

The main goal of Lantus is to provide a blood glucose-lowering effect, and it’s almost impossible to reach it without experiencing common side effects. Keep calm, and you’ll see the improvement in no time. Note that all insulin products can boost the development of insulin antibodies, thus lowering its effectiveness; however, if all the instructions are followed, and a person goes through all required checkups regularly, there should be no problems associated with that.

ON THE SIDE NOTE:

Taking hypoglycemia under control is possible if it’s noticed in the early stages. This is a commonly observed adverse reaction, and the best you can do to deal with it is to eat something sweet to raise blood sugar levels. A sugary snack, drink, or special over-the-counter glucose pills would work best, so ensure to always have something like this in your pocket to be safe and have a backup if needed. 

Mild Adverse Reactions

Mild side effects are not dangerous and less common than the regular ones; however, they can cause a higher level of discomfort, so it’s vital not to panic and stay calm till the body adjusts to the new solution.

Some of the mild side effects include the following:

• Injection site reactions (rash, irritation, etc.);
• Peripheral edema (fluid buildup in feet, legs, and hands);
• Joint pain;
• Weight gain;
• Diarrhea.

Contact your doctor in case they last for longer than a week or start transforming into something more severe. We also recommend measuring the blood sugar rate regularly to see the changes throughout the day and note how Lantus helps with glucose control. Sometimes, the dose should be increased, or another brand must be picked, as each body reacts differently to the same medicine, so sometimes the effect may not turn out as expected.

Severe Side Effects to Remember

The last category is severe adverse reactions; they occur rarely, so you shouldn’t worry about them. Still, knowing those is important for a full awareness of the treatment and drug interactions that may be a helpful combination for potential complications.

Call your doctor as soon as any of the dangerous symptoms are noticed. If you think they may turn into threatening conditions, call 911 immediately or any other emergency number in your area and follow the instructions given by a doctor.

Serious side effects include:

• Severe hypoglycemia;
• Allergic reactions (swollen throat or tongue, trouble breathing, etc.);
• Irregular heartbeat;
• Muscle twitches or cramps;
• Muscle weakness;
• Respiratory failure, meaning enough oxygen cannot reach brain, heart, and other organs;
• Paralysis;
• And others.

Please be careful and be in touch with your doctor during insulin therapy, especially during the early stages when the body just gets used to the product. On top of that, it’s better to be aware of all clinically significant drug interactions, as it may be helpful during Lantus therapy. We recommend being in touch with a doctor and discussing all essential questions about the drug, as only a licensed professional will provide precise answers based on your personal health peculiarities. All information in this article is presented for informational purposes only, so always call a doctor if there are any questions after reading the blog post.

How to Avoid Lantus Side Effects?

One of the best things you can do to avoid Lantus side effects is to use the product according to all the instructions given by a doctor. It is also essential to inform a specialist if any weird reactions occur after a few first injections.

So, what can you do to avoid Lantus side effects?

• Stick to the recommended dose of insulin glargine. The amount of the medication can only be calculated by a healthcare professional based on a patient’s needs and body peculiarities. Thus, it’s forbidden to experiment with Lantus doses and change them. In case there were any dramatic changes in one’s weight (gain or loss), diabetes management, or general health statement, it’s crucial to inform a specialist about them so they can adjust the dose according to a person’s needs;
• Always monitor your blood sugar levels. Knowing your glucose levels while taking Lantus is helpful, as it’s one of the most reliable ways to see the changes in sugar index before and after taking Lantus, as well as see how they change throughout the day. A doctor must be informed immediately after any dramatic alterations are noticed;
• Don’t forget about the water balance. Drinking six to eight glasses of water or other similar fluids daily to prevent dehydration that typically only worsens adverse reactions;
• Stop consuming alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beverages while using Lantus can increase the chances of hypoglycemia, also known as extremely low blood sugar;
• Maintain a healthy diet, and don’t skip your meals. Once again, eating well is one of the safest ways to maintain blood glucose within a normal range and reduce the chance of experiencing low blood sugar;
• Check your feet. Always check your feet to see whether there are cuts, redness, or sores. If so, inform your doctor immediately;
• Remember all possible adverse reactions and risks while taking Lantus. Knowing those is one of the safest ways to notice warning signs on time and stop them from transforming into something more problematic;
• Tell your medical professional all about your current prescription and over-the-counter medications. It includes vitamins, herbal extracts, and other medicines. This way, it’ll be easier to understand whether everything in your drug list works well if combined with Lantus;
• Go through medical checkups regularly. To see the dynamic of the treatment and monitor the diabetes situation, it’s better to constantly stay in touch with a doctor so they can help as soon as any warning signs of Lantus adverse reactions are noticed.

The Bottom Line

Lantus is an effective solution to control blood sugar levels in children over the age of six and adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as adults treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. This long-lasting injection belongs to daily medications, meaning it should be used daily to maintain blood glucose at an average level. As for the side effects, these vary from common to severe, and it’s important to understand the differences and remember them so a doctor is informed on time in case any complications occur after the insulin glargine infusion. One of the best ways to have a safe experience with Lantus is to stay in touch with a doctor to warn them if any odd symptoms occur after the injection. Check out Lantus on the Insulin.Store website and stay tuned for more exciting articles in the future!