WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
Never Share A LANTUS SoloStar Prefilled Pen, Syringe, Or Needle
Between Patients
LANTUS SoloStar prefilled pens must never be shared between patients,
even if the needle is changed. Patients using LANTUS vials must never
reuse or share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a
risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
Hyperglycemia Or Hypoglycemia With Changes In Insulin Regimen
Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or method of
administration may affect glycemic control and predispose to
hypoglycemia [see Hypoglycemia] or hyperglycemia.
These changes should be made cautiously and only under close medical
supervision, and the frequency of blood glucose monitoring should be
increased. For patients with type 2 diabetes, dosage adjustments of
concomitant oral and anti-diabetic products may be needed.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction associated with
insulin, including LANTUS. Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures, may
be life-threatening or cause death. Hypoglycemia can impair concentration
ability and reaction time; this may place an individual and others at risk in
situations where these abilities are important (e.g., driving or operating
other machinery).
Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly and symptoms may differ in each
individual and change over time in the same individual. Symptomatic
awareness of hypoglycemia may be less pronounced in patients with
longstanding diabetes, in patients with diabetic nerve disease, in patients
using medications that block the sympathetic nervous system (e.g., betablockers)
[see DRUG INTERACTIONS], or in patients who experience
recurrent hypoglycemia.
Risk Factors For Hypoglycemia
The risk of hypoglycemia after an injection is related to the duration of
action of the insulin and, in general, is highest when the glucose lowering
effect of the insulin is maximal. As with all insulin preparations, the
glucose lowering effect time course of LANTUS may vary in different
individuals or at different times in the same individual and depends on
many conditions, including the area of injection as well as the injection site
blood supply and temperature [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY] . Other
factors which may increase the risk of hypoglycemia include changes in
meal pattern (e.g., macronutrient content or timing of meals), changes in
level of physical activity, or changes to co-administered medication [see DRUG INTERACTIONS]. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment may be at
higher risk of hypoglycemia [See Use In Specific Populations].
Risk Mitigation Strategies For Hypoglycemia
Patients and caregivers must be educated to recognize and manage
hypoglycemia. Self-monitoring of blood glucose plays an essential role in
the prevention and management of hypoglycemia. In patients at higher
risk for hypoglycemia and patients who have reduced symptomatic
awareness of hypoglycemia, increased frequency of blood glucose
monitoring is recommended.
The long-acting effect of LANTUS may delay recovery from hypoglycemia.
Medication Errors
Accidental mix-ups among insulin products, particularly between longacting
insulins and rapid-acting insulins, have been reported. To avoid
medication errors between LANTUS and other insulins, instruct patients to
always check the insulin label before each injection [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Hypersensitivity And Allergic Reactions
Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can
occur with insulin products, including LANTUS. If hypersensitivity reactions
occur, discontinue LANTUS; treat per standard of care and monitor until
symptoms and signs resolve [see ADVERSE REACTIONS]. LANTUS is
contraindicated in patients who have had hypersensitivity reactions to
insulin glargine or one of the excipients [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Hypokalemia
All insulin products, including LANTUS, cause a shift in potassium from
the extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia.
Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular
arrhythmia, and death. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk for
hypokalemia if indicated (e.g., patients using potassium-lowering
medications, patients taking medications sensitive to serum potassium
concentrations).
Fluid Retention And Heart Failure With Concomitant Use Of PPARgamma
Agonists
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists, can cause dose-related fluid retention,
particularly when used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may
lead to or exacerbate heart failure. Patients treated with insulin, including
LANTUS, and a PPAR-gamma agonist should be observed for signs and
symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure develops, it should be managed
according to current standards of care, and discontinuation or dose
reduction of the PPAR-gamma agonist must be considered.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use).
Never Share A LANTUS SoloStar Prefilled Pen Or Syringe Between
Patients
Advise patients that they must never share a LANTUS SoloStar prefilled
pen with another person, even if the needle is changed. Advise patients
using LANTUS vials not to reuse or share needles or syringes with
another person. Sharing carries a risk for transmission of blood-borne
pathogens [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hyperglycemia Or Hypoglycemia
[see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Inform patients that hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction
with insulin. Inform patients of the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Inform
patients that the ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a
result of hypoglycemia. This may present a risk in situations where these
abilities are especially important, such as driving or operating other
machinery. Advise patients who have frequent hypoglycemia or reduced or
absent warning signs of hypoglycemia to use caution when driving or
operating machinery
Advise patients that changes in insulin regimen can predispose to hyperor
hypoglycemia.
Advise patients that changes in insulin regimen should be made under
close medical supervision.
Medications Errors
[see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Instruct patients to always check the insulin label before each injection..
Administration
[see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]
Advise patients that LANTUS must NOT be diluted or mixed with any other
insulin or solution and that LANTUS must only be used if the solution is
clear and colorless with no particles visible.
Management Of Hypoglycemia And handling Of Special Situations
Instruct patients on self-management procedures including glucose
monitoring, proper injection technique, and management of hypoglycemia
and hyperglycemia.
Instruct patients on handling of special situations such as intercurrent
conditions (illness, stress, or emotional disturbances), an inadequate or
skipped insulin dose, inadvertent administration of an increased insulin
dose, inadequate food intake, and skipped meals.
Pregnancy
Advise patients to inform their health care professional if they are
pregnant or are contemplating pregnancy.
Refer patients to the LANTUS "Patient Information" for additional
information about the potential side effects of insulin therapy, including
lipodystrophy (and the need to rotate injection sites within the same body
region), weight gain, allergic reactions, and hypoglycemia.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
In mice and rats, standard two-year carcinogenicity studies with insulin
glargine were performed at doses up to 0.455 mg/kg, which was for the rat
approximately 10 times and for the mouse approximately 5 times the
recommended human subcutaneous starting dose of 10 Units/day (0.008
mg/kg/day), based on mg/m2 . The findings in female mice were not
conclusive due to excessive mortality in all dose groups during the study.
Histiocytomas were found at injection sites in male rats (statistically
significant) and male mice (not statistically significant) in acid vehicle
containing groups. These tumors were not found in female animals, in
saline control, or insulin comparator groups using a different vehicle. The
relevance of these findings to humans is unknown.
Insulin glargine was not mutagenic in tests for detection of gene mutations
in bacteria and mammalian cells (Ames- and HGPRT-test) and in tests for
detection of chromosomal aberrations (cytogenetics in vitro in V79 cells
and in vivo in Chinese hamsters).
In a combined fertility and prenatal and postnatal study in male and female
rats at subcutaneous doses up to 0.36 mg/kg/day, which was
approximately 7 times the recommended human subcutaneous starting
dose of 10 Units/day (0.008 mg/kg/day), based on mg/m2 , maternal
toxicity due to dose-dependent hypoglycemia, including some deaths, was
observed. Consequently, a reduction of the rearing rate occurred in the
high-dose group only. Similar effects were observed with NPH insulin.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
There are no well-controlled clinical studies of the use of LANTUS in
pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always
predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy
only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other
adverse outcome regardless of drug exposure. This background risk is
increased in pregnancies complicated by hyperglycemia and may be
decreased with good metabolic control. It is essential for patients with
diabetes or history of gestational diabetes to maintain good metabolic
control before conception and throughout pregnancy. In patients with
diabetes or gestational diabetes, insulin requirements may decrease
during the first trimester, generally increase during the second trimester,
and rapidly decline after delivery. Careful monitoring of glucose control is
essential in these patients. Therefore, female patients should be advised
to tell their physicians if they intend to become, or if they become pregnant
while taking LANTUS.
Subcutaneous reproduction and teratology studies have been performed
with insulin glargine and regular human insulin in rats and Himalayan
rabbits. Insulin glargine was given to female rats before mating, during
mating, and throughout pregnancy at doses up to 0.36 mg/kg/day, which is
approximately 7 times the recommended human subcutaneous starting
dose of 10 Units/day (0.008 mg/kg/day), based on mg/m2 . In rabbits,
doses of 0.072 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 2 times the
recommended human subcutaneous starting dose of 10 Units/day (0.008
mg/kg/day), based on mg/m2 , were administered during organogenesis.
The effects of insulin glargine did not generally differ from those observed
with regular human insulin in rats or rabbits. However, in rabbits, five
fetuses from two litters of the high-dose group exhibited dilation of the
cerebral ventricles. Fertility and early embryonic development appeared
normal.
Nursing Mothers
Endogenous insulin is present in human milk; it is unknown whether insulin
glargine is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs, including human
insulin, are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when
LANTUS is administered to a nursing woman. Use of LANTUS is
compatible with breastfeeding, but women with diabetes who are lactating
may require adjustments of their insulin doses.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of LANTUS have been established in
pediatric patients (age 6 to 15 years) with type 1 diabetes [see Clinical Studies]. The safety and effectiveness of LANTUS in pediatric
patients younger than 6 years of age with type 1 diabetes and pediatric
patients with type 2 diabetes have not been established.
The dosage recommendation when changing to LANTUS in pediatric
patients (age 6 to 15 years) with type 1 diabetes is the same as that
described for adults [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and Clinical Studies]. As in adults, the dosage of LANTUS must be individualized
in pediatric patients (age 6 to 15 years) with type 1 diabetes based on
metabolic needs and frequent monitoring of blood glucose.
In the pediatric clinical trial, pediatric patients (age 6 to 15 years) with type
1 diabetes had a higher incidence of severe symptomatic hypoglycemia
compared to the adults in trials with type 1 diabetes [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Geriatric Use
Of the total number of subjects in controlled clinical studies of patients with
type 1 and type 2 diabetes, who were treated with LANTUS, 15% were
≥65 years of age and 2% were ≥75 years of age. The only difference in
safety or effectiveness in the subpopulation of patients ≥65 years of age
compared to the entire study population was a higher incidence of
cardiovascular events typically seen in an older population in the LANTUS
and NPH treatment groups.
Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when LANTUS is administered
to geriatric patients. In elderly patients with diabetes, the initial dosing,
dose increments, and maintenance dosage should be conservative to
avoid hypoglycemic reactions. Hypoglycemia may be difficult to recognize
in the elderly.
Hepatic Impairment
The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of LANTUS has
not been studied. Frequent glucose monitoring and dose adjustment may
be necessary for LANTUS in patients with hepatic impairment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Renal Impairment
The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of LANTUS has
not been studied. Some studies with human insulin have shown increased
circulating levels of insulin in patients with renal failure. Frequent glucose
monitoring and dose adjustment may be necessary for LANTUS in
patients with renal impairment [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Obesity
In controlled clinical trials, subgroup analyses based on BMI did not show
differences in safety and efficacy between LANTUS and NPH.