Lantus (insulin glargine) is a prescription drug that helps manage blood sugar levels in certain people. The drug comes as a liquid solution. It’s usually given as an injection under the skin once per day.

Lantus is used to help manage blood sugar levels in:

The active ingredient in Lantus is insulin glargine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Lantus belongs to a group of drugs called long-acting insulins.

This article describes the dosages of Lantus, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Lantus, see this in-depth article.

Lantus is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor will show you how to give yourself Lantus injections at home.

What are the forms of Lantus?

Lantus comes as a liquid solution in two forms:

  • 3-milliliter (mL) single-use, prefilled injection pens (called Lantus SoloStar pens) that are used with pen needles
  • 10-mL multiple-use vials that are used with insulin syringes

What strength does Lantus come in?

Lantus is available in one strength: 100 units of insulin per mL, which is known as U-100.

What are the typical dosages of Lantus?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The typical dosage of Lantus your doctor prescribes will depend on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If you have questions about the normal dosage of Lantus for your condition, talk with your doctor.

You’ll likely inject Lantus once per day. You can inject it at any time of day, but it should be done at the same time every day.

Dosage for type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, your starting dose of Lantus is about one-third of your total daily insulin dose. The rest of this daily insulin total is made up of a fast-acting insulin (which your doctor prescribes separately) that’s given at mealtimes.

Your doctor will use weight-based dosing to determine your total daily insulin dose. The usual dosage range for type 1 diabetes is 0.4 units to 1 unit of insulin per kilogram (kg)* of body weight.

For example, a doctor might prescribe 0.5 units per kg daily to a person weighing 66 kg (about 145 pounds). So their total daily insulin would be 33 units. Their Lantus dosage would be one-third of this total, meaning they’d take 11 units of Lantus daily. The remaining 22 units would be given as a fast-acting insulin with each meal.

For details about possible dosage adjustments with Lantus, see the “Dosage adjustments” section below.

* One kg is about 2.2 pounds.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor will use weight-based dosing for Lantus. Your initial dose of Lantus will likely be 0.2 units of Lantus for every kilogram (kg)* of body weight. The maximum starting dose of Lantus is 10 units per day.

For details about possible dosage adjustments with Lantus, see the “Dosage adjustments” section below.

* One kg is about 2.2 pounds.

What’s the dosage of Lantus for children?

Lantus is used to help manage blood sugar levels in children with type 1 diabetes who are ages 6 years and older.

The dosage of Lantus for children is the same as that for adults. For details, see the “Dosage for type 1 diabetes” section above.

Is Lantus used long term?

Yes, Lantus is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lantus is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor will show you how to monitor your blood sugar levels while using Lantus. They’ll explain how to adjust your Lantus dosage based on your blood sugar. For example, if your blood sugar isn’t well-managed, they may increase your dose.

Your doctor may adjust your dosage based on other factors, including:

  • changes in your body weight
  • other medications you use, including other insulins
  • other medical conditions you have
  • the form of Lantus you use

Talk with your doctor about the Lantus dosage that’s right for you.

Below are answers to some common questions about Lantus’s dosage.

Is there a dosing calculator available to help determine what my Lantus dose should be?

There isn’t a specific dosing calculator for Lantus. It’s not usually needed, since your doctor will follow dosing guidelines to determine your Lantus dosage. They may use a dosing calculator to help them do this. But it’s unlikely that you’ll need to determine your own dosage of this drug.

Can I split up my daily Lantus dose into two doses per day?

It’s not likely. Lantus is typically injected only once per day. You can inject it at any time of day, but it should be at the same time every day.

In certain situations, you may need to take more than one injection per dose. For example, if you use the pen and your Lantus SoloStar dosage is greater than 80 units, you’ll need more than one injection. This is because Lantus SoloStar pens deliver a maximum of 80 units.

If you use Lantus vials and insulin syringes, you can take up to 100 units in a single injection.

Talk with your doctor about the number of Lantus injections you’ll need for each dose.

Will my Lantus dose be adjusted if I also take other diabetes drugs?

Yes, it’s possible. Your Lantus dosage can be affected by many factors, including the type of diabetes you have and other medications you take.

If you have type 1 diabetes, your total daily insulin dose will include a long-acting insulin (such as Lantus). You’ll take this along with a fast-acting insulin at mealtimes. Humalog (insulin lispro) is an example of a mealtime insulin you may take with Lantus.

For this condition, your starting dose of Lantus is about one-third of your total daily insulin dose. Your doctor may adjust your dosage over time to help manage your blood sugar levels.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may take diabetes medications other than insulin at first. If your blood sugar isn’t well managed, your doctor may prescribe a long-acting insulin such as Lantus.

Taking Lantus with other diabetes medications can increase your risk of low blood sugar as a side effect. So your doctor may adjust your Lantus dosage to help reduce your risk of this side effect.

To learn more about how other medications may affect your Lantus dosage, talk with your doctor.

If you miss a dose of Lantus, inject your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, you can skip the missed dose. Then inject your next dose at your usual time.

If you aren’t sure whether to take a missed dose of Lantus or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Lantus, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The dosage of Lantus you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of your diabetes
  • the form of Lantus you take
  • your body weight
  • the amount of carbohydrates you eat
  • when and how much you exercise
  • other medications you take, including other insulins
  • other medical conditions you have

Lantus is given as an injection under your skin. You can inject it into your belly, upper arms, or upper thighs.

You should use a different area of the body each time you give yourself a Lantus injection. You can do this by injecting Lantus at least one finger-width away from your previous injection site. Or you can choose a new area of your body for each Lantus injection.

Avoid injecting Lantus into areas of the skin that are irritated, tender, or bruised.

Lantus comes in two forms:

  • single-use, prefilled injection pens (called Lantus SoloStar pens)
  • multiple-use vials

If you use Lantus SoloStar pens, you’ll need to purchase pen needles. Before injecting each dose of the drug, you’ll attach a new needle to the pen.

If you use Lantus vials, you’ll need to purchase insulin syringes. You’ll use a new insulin syringe for each dose of the drug.

Your doctor will show you how to give yourself injections using the Lantus SoloStar pens or vials. You can also view step-by-step instructions for using the pens or vials on the manufacturer’s website. Or you can read the prescribing information for Lantus.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Lantus, see this article.

Don’t inject more Lantus than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

How to recognize and treat low blood sugar

In case of overdose, it’s important to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar and know how to treat it.

Low blood sugar may cause the following symptoms:

If you have low blood sugar, eat at least 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates within 15 minutes of your symptoms starting. Examples of fast-acting carbohydrates include:

  • hard candies
  • fruit juice
  • regular (not diet) soda

You can also use glucose in any of the following forms:

  • tablet
  • gel
  • liquid
  • powder

In severe cases, your blood sugar could drop so low that it results in a coma or seizures. In this case, you may need someone else’s help to treat it. Be sure a family member, caregiver, friend, or co-worker knows how to recognize and treat low blood sugar.

Severely low blood sugar is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of this condition, you or someone else should call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

What to do in case you inject too much Lantus

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Lantus. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lantus for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Lantus without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Lantus exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Do I have any medical conditions that could affect my Lantus dosage?
  • Should my dosage change if Lantus isn’t working well enough for me?
  • Will I need more than one injection of Lantus per dose?

To learn more about Lantus, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

I’ve heard that I may need to adjust my Lantus dosage based on when and how much I exercise. How does exercise affect my insulin dose?

Anonymous

A:

Increasing your physical activity can lower your blood sugar. This can put you at risk for hypoglycemia if you’re receiving insulin. It’s important to talk with your doctor about your physical activity before you begin insulin treatment.

If you’re already active when starting insulin, your dosage will be adjusted to your blood sugar based on your exercise level. But if you’re taking insulin and your exercise routine changes, you may put yourself at risk. You should talk with your doctor before changing the amount, time, or intensity of your physical activity while receiving insulin.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.