by Insulin Glargine: A Long-Acting Insulin for Diabetes Management
Insulin glargine, sold under the brand names Lantus among others, is a long-acting insulin used to treat diabetes mellitus. It is an enhanced prodrug which acts as a long-lasting form of insulin. It was first approved for use in 2000 and has since made diabetes management easier for millions of people worldwide. Keep reading to learn more about this important medication.
What is Insulin Glargine?
Insulin glargine is a long-acting or “basal” insulin that is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It works by binding to insulin receptors and facilitating the absorption of glucose from the blood into cells where it is used for energy. Unlike normal insulin, insulin glargine is soluble at acid pH levels and precipitates at physiological pH levels of around 7.4, resulting in a microcrystalline depot from which insulin is slowly released. This allows it to have a duration of action of up to 24 hours, making it suitable for once-daily dosing.
How Does it Work?
Since its mechanism of action prolongs its effects, insulin glargine acts to maintain normal levels of blood sugar between meals and overnight. At injection sites, insulin glargine forms a soluble hexamer complex that slowly dissociates into monomers as it is absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes insulin levels to peak around 6 hours after injection and provides a steady, basal level of insulin for the whole day. The slow, consistent release profile greatly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia compared to regular human insulin injections.
Benefits of Insulin Glargine
Some key benefits of insulin glargine include:
– Consistent glucose control: It provides a steady basal level of insulin to help maintain normal blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.
– Once-daily dosing: Its long duration of action allows convenient once-daily administration, typically at bedtime.
– Lower hypoglycemia risk: The slow, even release profile significantly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia compared to regular human insulin.
– Improved HbA1c: Clinical studies show insulin glargine lowers HbA1c or long-term blood sugar levels better than alternative basal insulins.
– Flexible timing: Some flexibility is allowed in its dosing schedule which helps with adherence.
– Fewer injections: Many people on glargine only need it once per day, plus mealtime boluses. This minimizes injections.
Clinical Use and Efficacy
Various clinical trials have shown insulin glargine to be safe and effective for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, it has been shown to reduce HbA1c levels more than overnight NPH insulin with a similar or lower risk of hypoglycemia. Studies in type 2 diabetes found glargine lowered HbA1c by around 1% and had lower rates of nocturnal hypoglycemia than glimepiride. It is typically dosed once daily, with the dose adjusted based on blood sugar levels and carbohydrate intake. Insulin glargine is available in vial and prefilled pen devices to make administration easy.
Safety Considerations
Like any insulin, hypoglycemia is a potential side effect if too much insulin glargine is taken or if not enough food is eaten. However, it carries a lower risk than regular human insulin thanks to its slow, consistent action. Local injection site reactions such as pain, itching, and redness may occasionally occur. Rare side effects can include allergic reactions, lipodystrophy at injection sites, and weight gain. As with all insulins, patients should be carefully monitored by a healthcare provider who can adjust the dose based on ongoing blood sugar readings.
In summary, insulin glargine revolutionized diabetes care with its long-acting profile. Suitable for once-daily administration, it helps provide a steady basal level of insulin all day. Clinical studies prove its benefits in improving blood sugar control and reducing hypoglycemia risk compared to older insulins. Over 20 years since its introduction, insulin glargine continues to be one of the most widely used basal insulins for people with diabetes. Its convenient dosing schedule along with efficacy and safety make it a highly valuable treatment option.
Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
