Dosage Details for Toujeo

If you have diabetes, your doctor may suggest Toujeo (insulin glargine) as a treatment option.

Toujeo is a long-acting insulin available as a prescription drug. It’s used to manage blood sugar levels in adults and children ages 6 years and older with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It comes as a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin.

This article describes the dosages of Toujeo, as well as its form, strength, and how to take it. It’s important to note that Toujeo is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. To learn more about Toujeo, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Toujeo’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Toujeo, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Your dosage of Toujeo may depend on many factors, including how severe your diabetes is and what other medications you take. Your doctor will help you determine the best dosage of Toujeo for you.

What form does Toujeo come in?

Toujeo comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pen that you use to inject the drug under your skin. The pen comes in two sizes:

• 1.5 milliliters (mL), called Toujeo SoloStar
• 3 mL, called Toujeo Max SoloStar

What strength does Toujeo come in?

Toujeo has a strength of 300 units per mL of solution.

What are the typical dosages of Toujeo?

Your doctor will likely begin your treatment with a starting dose of Toujeo. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

Each person’s Toujeo SoloStar dosage (or Toujeo Max SoloStar dosage) may be different based on personal factors. Because of this, there is no recommended maximum dosage.

But there is a maximum dose per injection, as follows:

• The maximum SoloStar dose per injection is 80 units of insulin.
• The maximum Max SoloStar dose per injection is 160 units of insulin.

If you’re concerned about the correct amount of insulin for you, talk with your doctor.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for type 1 diabetes

Your dosage for type 1 diabetes may depend on how severe your condition is and if you’re taking other medications with Toujeo. The dosing frequency for Toujeo is once daily at about the same time each day.

Always be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in your exercise or diet. You should also tell them if you develop any kidney or liver problems during treatment. Your doctor may change your dose of Toujeo based on these factors.

If you’re new to insulin treatment

If you’ve never taken insulin before, your doctor will calculate your dose of Toujeo. Your total dose of insulin per day will be based on your body weight.

The total daily recommended dose of insulin is 0.2 to 0.4 units of insulin per kilogram (kg) of body weight. And your dose of Toujeo will be one-third to one-half of your total insulin dose. The rest of the insulin dose will be made up of short-acting insulin that you’ll take before meals.

For example, if you weigh 75 kg (165 pounds), your total daily insulin dose should be between 15 units and 30 units. So your dose of Toujeo would be between 5 units and 15 units of medication per day.

It can take up to 5 days to see the effects of Toujeo after you start treatment. It’s important to monitor your blood sugar, as directed by your doctor, and take your dose every day.

If you’re switching from another insulin treatment to Toujeo

Your Toujeo dosage will depend on the type of insulin you’re switching from.

• If you’re switching to Toujeo from another long-acting insulin treatment, your dose will be the same as it was before.
• If you’re taking Lantus (insulin glargine) and change to Toujeo, you may need a higher dose of Toujeo.
• If you’re taking an intermediate-acting insulin, such as Levemir (insulin detemir), you’ll start Toujeo at a lower dose. This is typically about 80% of your total daily intermediate-acting insulin dose.
  • Example: If you’re taking 5 units twice daily of Levemir (insulin detemir), your total daily dose is 10 units. So your dose of Toujeo would be 80% of that, or 8 units once per day.

When you first switch to Toujeo, your doctor may recommend you check your blood sugar level more often. This is just to be sure Toujeo is working for you.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

Your dosage for type 2 diabetes may depend on many factors. These include how severe your diabetes is and other medications you take. You should inject your dose once daily at about the same time each day.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in exercise or diet. And let them know right away if you develop any kidney or liver problems during treatment. Your doctor may change your dose of Toujeo based on these factors.

If you’re new to insulin treatment

If you’ve never taken insulin before, your daily starting dose of Toujeo is 0.2 units per kg of body weight. For example, if you weigh 75 kg (165 pounds), your dosage of Toujeo will be 15 units per day.

Your doctor may recommend you check your blood sugar more often when you first start Toujeo. This is just to make sure the treatment is working for you.

If you’re switching from another insulin treatment to Toujeo

Your Toujeo dosage will depend on the type of insulin you’re switching from.

• If you’re switching to Toujeo from another long-acting insulin treatment, your dose will be the same as it was before.
• If you’re taking Lantus (insulin glargine) and change to Toujeo, you may need a higher dose of Toujeo.
• If you’re taking an intermediate-acting insulin, such as Levemir (insulin detemir), you’ll start Toujeo at a lower dose. This is typically about 80% of your total daily intermediate-acting insulin dose.
  • Example: If you’re taking 5 units twice daily of Levemir (insulin detemir), your total daily dose is 10 units. So your dose of Toujeo would be 80% of that, or 8 units once per day.

When you first switch to Toujeo, your doctor may recommend you check your blood sugar level more often. This is just to be sure Toujeo is working for you.

What’s the dosage of Toujeo for children?

As with adults, the dosage for children taking Toujeo is based on body weight. The recommended unit per kg dosage is the same for both adults and children. See “Dosage for type 1 diabetes” or “Dosage for type 2 diabetes” above for specific dosage information.

Is Toujeo used long term?

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

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may adjust your Toujeo dosage if you have changes to any of the following:

• your weight
• your diet
• your exercise level
• medications you take

Your doctor may also need to adjust your dose if you develop any liver or kidney problems during your treatment.

If you have any of the above changes during Toujeo treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll determine if your dose needs to be changed.

Below are answers to some common questions about Toujeo dosaging.

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

Yes, there is a dosing calculator available. But this calculator should only be used by your doctor to help determine your dosage.

The dosing calculator is just a guideline. It helps your doctor determine your dose based on your body weight. But the dosing calculator doesn’t consider other factors that may affect your dose, such as:

• your diet and exercise levels
• if you have kidney or liver problems
• if you’re taking other medications

Using a combination of these factors, your doctor will determine the best Toujeo dose for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your prescribed dosage.

How do the dosages of Toujeo and Lantus compare?

If you’re switching between Toujeo and Lantus, your dose may be different. Even though both drugs are considered long-acting insulins, people respond differently to each. You’ll likely need a higher dose of Toujeo than Lantus.

Your doctor can do the Lantus-to-Toujeo dosing conversion to determine the best dose of Toujeo for you. They’ll likely recommend more frequent blood sugar level tests so they’ll know if any dosage adjustments are needed.

What is the difference in dosage between Toujeo SoloStar and Toujeo Max SoloStar?

The strength of the medication in Toujeo SoloStar and Toujeo Max SoloStar is the same. Each pen contains 300 units of medication per milliliter (mL) of solution. So your dosage of Toujeo SoloStar compared to your dosage of Toujeo Max SoloStar will be the same.

The difference between them is the amount of solution in each pen. Toujeo SoloStar contains 1.5 mL of liquid solution, while Toujeo Max SoloStar contains 3 mL. So you’ll replace your pen less often with Toujeo Max SoloStar.

If you have questions about the difference between Toujeo SoloStar and Toujeo Max SoloStar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss your dose of Toujeo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about when to take your next dose. In some cases, they may recommend taking your dose as soon as you remember.

But if it’s almost time for your next dose, they may recommend you skip your missed dose. Then you’ll take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.

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

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

• the type and severity of the condition it’s being used to treat
• your weight
• your diet and exercise levels
• other medications you take
• other conditions you have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Toujeo’s dosage?”)

Toujeo is a liquid solution that’s injected under your skin once daily. You should inject your dose around the same time each day.

Toujeo can be injected into your belly area, thigh, or upper arm. You should change sites with each dose to avoid injection site reactions from happening.

For step-by-step instructions on how to inject Toujeo, see the manufacturer’s website. Or check out this video.

If you still have questions about how to inject Toujeo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For information on Toujeo expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Do not use more Toujeo than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms of overdose from Toujeo are the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or low blood potassium level. Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

• dizziness
• sweating
• shaking
• heart palpitations
• muscle cramps or twitching

What to do in case you use too much Toujeo

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Toujeo. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control 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 Toujeo for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Toujeo without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Toujeo 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:

• What’s the best dosage of Toujeo for me to take with my other diabetes medications?
• What should my dosage of Toujeo be, considering my other medical conditions?
• Will taking more Toujeo increase my risk for side effects?

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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.