What is Insulin glargine used for?
- Basal (background) insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Long-acting basal insulin analog. Clear solution: do not confuse it with regular insulin. Toujeo is a U-300 concentration.
How Insulin glargine works
Forms small deposits under the skin that release insulin slowly, giving a steady basal level for about 24 hours with no pronounced peak.
Common side effects
- Hypoglycemia (lower risk than NPH)
- Weight gain
- Injection-site reactions
Report right away
- Signs of low blood sugar, especially overnight or in the morning
Nursing considerations for Insulin glargine
- Never mix or dilute glargine with any other insulin in the same syringe.
- Given once daily at the same time each day (some patients take it twice daily as prescribed).
- Do not give it IV; it is a subcutaneous insulin only.
Patient teaching
- Take it at the same time every day, even if you are not eating normally; call your provider for sick-day instructions.
- Glargine is not a correction or mealtime insulin.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Insulins practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Insulin glargine belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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When mixing regular and NPH insulin in one syringe, which insulin is drawn up first?
Show answer
Answer A: Regular (clear) Clear before cloudy: draw up regular first so that NPH (which contains protamine) does not contaminate the regular insulin vial.
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A patient received NPH insulin at 0700. At what time is hypoglycemia most likely?
Show answer
Answer A: Early to mid-afternoon NPH peaks about 4 to 12 hours after injection, so a morning dose peaks in the afternoon.
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Which insulin can be given by continuous IV infusion?
Show answer
Answer D: Regular Regular insulin is the insulin routinely used for IV infusions. Glargine, NPH and premixed insulins are subcutaneous only.
Frequently asked questions
What is Insulin glargine used for?
Basal (background) insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What drug class is Insulin glargine?
Insulin glargine belongs to the class insulins. Forms small deposits under the skin that release insulin slowly, giving a steady basal level for about 24 hours with no pronounced peak.
What are the nursing considerations for Insulin glargine?
Never mix or dilute glargine with any other insulin in the same syringe. Given once daily at the same time each day (some patients take it twice daily as prescribed).
What should patients report while taking Insulin glargine?
signs of low blood sugar, especially overnight or in the morning.