The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7215 p358-361
14 September 2002

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Letters to the Editor

Diabetes

Take care when dispensing insulin Lantus

From Mrs I. Gummerson, MRPharmS

As David Kaye states (PJ, 31 August, p278), care should be taken not to confuse insulin Lantus (glargine) with insulin Lente. Insulin Lantus is a long-acting insulin analogue, launched on 28 August in the United Kingdom.

Until now, we have only had long-acting insulins formulated in suspension, which need resuspending before use (by gentle rotation) and appear cloudy. Lantus has a clear appearance and therefore should not be confused with short-acting soluble insulin. The manufacturer does not recommend mixing Lantus with any other insulin, or it may become cloudy, possibly resulting in the alteration of its pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic profile.

I have detected some interest in this product by diabetes professionals, possibly due to the claim by its manufacturer that it has a flat 24-hour profile, and therefore, potentially, a lower incidence of hypoglycaemia.

It would be "good housekeeping" to watch the rate that patients are changed on to the product, so we are not left with a lot of expensive stock going out of date in our refrigerators.

Irene Gummerson
Wakefield, West Yorkshire

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