Formulary
Insulin glargine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Insulin glargine is a recombinant human insulin analogue with a long duration of action.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Insulin glargine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Insulin glargine is a recombinant human insulin analogue with a long duration of action.
Drug action
Insulin glargine is a recombinant human insulin analogue with a long duration of action.
Indications and dose
**Diabetes mellitus**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): According to requirements.
**Diabetes mellitus for insulin glargine**
- **Child 2-17 years** (By subcutaneous injection): According to requirements.
Side effects
Common or very common Oedema Uncommon Lipodystrophy Frequency not known Cutaneous amyloidosis Overdose Overdose causes hypoglycaemia. Side-effects For insulin glargine Rare or very rare Myalgia; taste altered Frequency not known Sodium retention
Interactions
**Other interactions (6):**
- A number of substances affect glucose metabolism and may require dose adjustment of insulin glargine.
- Substances that may enhance the blood-glucose-lowering effect and increase susceptibility to hypoglycaemia include oral antidiabetic medicinal products, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)...
- Substances that may reduce the blood-glucose-lowering effect include corticosteroids, danazol, diazoxide, diuretics, glucagon, isoniazid, oestrogens, progestogens, phenothiazine derivatives,...
- Beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts or alcohol may either potentiate or weaken the blood-glucose lowering effect of insulin.
- Pentamidine may cause hypoglycaemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycaemia.
- In addition, under the influence of sympatholytic medicinal products such as beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine and reserpine, the signs of adrenergic counter-regulation may be reduced or absent.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, insulin requirements may alter and doses should be assessed frequently by an experienced diabetes physician. The dose of insulin generally needs to be increased in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnancy For insulin glargine Evidence of the safety of long-acting insulin analogues in pregnancy is limited, therefore isophane insulin is recommended where longer-acting insulins are needed; insulin detemir may also be considered.
Breast feeding
During breast-feeding, insulin requirements may alter and doses should be assessed frequently by an experienced diabetes physician.
Hepatic impairment
Insulin requirements may be decreased.
Renal impairment
The compensatory response to hypoglycaemia is impaired in renal impairment. Dose adjustments Insulin requirements may decrease in patients with renal impairment and therefore dose reduction may be necessary. M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Insulin glargine in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

