Warnings

Lantus Solostar

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Oct 29, 2024

Warnings

Lantus SoloStar Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Lantus SoloStar can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other medications for diabetes if you are at an increased risk of adverse reactions from this drug.

RISK OF INFECTION WITH SHARED PENS: Insulin equipment, including the Lantus SoloStar pen, should never be used by more than one person, even if the needle is changed. Doing so can give people a serious infection.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR (HYPOGLYCEMIA) OR HIGH BLOOD SUGAR (HYPERGLYCEMIA): Changes in your insulin regimen can lead to changes in your blood glucose levels. Make sure you understand the insulin type and strength, manufacturer, injection site, and method of administration. Check labels before injecting insulin to ensure you are taking the right type and dose.
Severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening. Follow your doctor’s recommendations about how often you should monitor glucose levels, especially after changes in insulin dose, other drugs, or diet and physical activity patterns that can affect glucose metabolism. People with impaired renal or hepatic function (kidney or liver disease) should talk to their doctor about monitoring for hypoglycemia.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS: There are reports of severe, life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (throat closing), after taking Lantus (insulin glargine) products. Stop using Lantus SoloStar and seek emergency medical care if you develop a skin rash, hives, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
LOCALIZED CUTANEOUS AMYLOIDOSIS: Insulin-derived amyloidosis (also called an insulin ball) is a subcutaneous collection of amyloid protein that can develop at an injection site where you give yourself repeated insulin injections. Many patients find insulin injections to be less painful at this site of localized cutaneous amyloidosis and therefore inject the medicine into the insulin ball instead of a new injection site. However, absorption of insulin at amyloidosis sites is about one-third compared to other sites, which can affect the ability of insulin to control blood sugar. Therefore, you should rotate (change) insulin injection sites and avoid using the same site more frequently than once every 1-2 weeks.
HYPOKALEMIA: Some people who are using insulin glargine can develop hypokalemia (low serum potassium concentrations). Your doctor will monitor potassium levels if you are at risk of this complication. Keep all your medical and laboratory appointments while using Lantus SoloStar.
FLUID RETENTION AND HEART FAILURE: Using insulin glargine and oral diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (TZDs) together can increase the risk of fluid retention and heart failure. Call your doctor immediately if you develop swelling in the ankles or feet or sudden weight gain. Signs and symptoms of heart failure may require discontinuation or dose reduction of Lantus (insulin glargine).

Precautions Before Starting Lantus SoloStar

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Lantus SoloStar (insulin glargine), any of the active or inactive ingredients in Lantus SoloStar insulin pen, other insulin products (NPH insulin, Novolin, Humulin, others), or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies. This can help avoid possible interactions between Lantus SoloStar and your other medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Lantus SoloStar may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have acute painful peripheral neuropathy (diabetes-related nerve damage), diabetic retinopathy (vision problems), hypokalemia (low potassium), congestive heart failure, heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Precautions During Use of Lantus SoloStar

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on Lantus SoloStar. Your doctor will adjust your insulin dose based on glycemic control.

Alcohol can cause changes in blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor about the safety of drinking alcoholic beverages while on insulin glargine.

Tell your doctor if you are under unusual stress or have changes in your diet or activity levels. You may need more intensified insulin therapy.

Call your doctor if you become pregnant while on insulin glargine.

Tell all your healthcare providers you are on insulin glargine, especially before any surgeries or procedures, including dental treatments.

Talk to your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar levels and what to do if you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Lantus SoloStar Drug Interactions

Concomitant use of certain medicines with Lantus SoloStar can affect how it works for glucose control. Clinically significant drug interactions can also increase the risk of severe adverse events. The following medications can have interactions with Lantus SoloStar:

Rosiglitazone (Avandia)
Pioglitazone (Actos, in Duetact, in Actoplus Met, in Oseni)

The above list may not include all the potential interactions of Lantus SoloStar. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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