Lantus at night or in the morning?

Question

I just started on Lantus 10 units once a day. It's been four days. My blood sugar levels are through the roof. Up to 300 never below 200. I am also taking actos and metformin. Yes I am watching my diet, 35 to 45 grams of carbs per meal, low GI foods, plenty of exercise and I work on my feet. I understand it takes awhile to adjust the dose, but geez I have never had levels this high. I don't have very good insurance, these drug costs are killing me. Anyway, I've been taking it in the morning. Is there a difference between taking in the morning or at night?

Answer 1

Are you in contact with your doctor? I know when I was taking Lantus I was told that after three days if my glucose levels didn't improve to increase it a certain amount. It's been too long, don't remember how much. Lantus is a background insulin meaning it's not meant to quickly lower your glucose levels. I'm assuming you're a type 2 which means you have a lot of insulin resistance. From what I've seen, 10 units is a very low dose for a type 2 and it's likely you'll need a LOT more to get any results. Although technically it doesn't matter when you take the Lantus, just take it at the same time every day, some people do have better results taking at one time or the other. Sometimes it doesn't last the full 24 hours, sometimes it lasts longer than 24 hours. Some people find it works better to split the dose. For most, one a day at the same time every day works fine. But you do have to get to the correct dose which you clearly have not achieved. Hang in there, make sure you're talking to your doctor every few days, you shouldn't have to wait until the next doctor appointment for your doctor to make adjustments to your dose. It is expensive...And with insulin resistance you're more than likely going to need more than one bottle a month. :( Hang in there.

Answer 2

I am a type 1 and I take lantus and novolog. 3 years ago (at age 29) I was diagnosed (w/type1 diabetes) I was first put on lantus then after 3 days went on R. I noticed results with that first injection. )overnight I went from 550 to 225 in the morning) My BS was in the 400-600 at the time i was diagnoised. I started using 40 units at bed. Then after starting R my indrocholigist split my lantus. my doeses have changed in the past 3 years but now I take 30 units at 10:00 am and before bed at 10:00 pm I take 17 units. Plus at my 3 main meals I take sliding scale novolog. I am doing great now. My a1c is always under 6.2. I have bad insurance too. I pay 500 a month for the insurance (thats just me and a healthly husband ) and I pay 250+ in RX copays a month. We, together only bring home 2300.00 a month. But it could be worse i guess. Hang in there and talk to your doctor about options, sounds like you need more units of lantus and/or a quick acting insulin.

Answer 3

You can takeLantus any time, but you have to keep up the time i.e. daily the same time. It can be taken in noon, or evening also.But having started in the morning youcontinu like tht onely. You will see the improvement soon. Or else see your doctor again. Now read about Lantus -

Insulin glargine, sold under the name Lantus, is a long-acting basal insulin analogue, usually given once or twice daily to help control the blood sugar level of those with diabetes. Its theoretical advantage is that it has a 24 hour duration of action, with a "peakless" profile. Thus, it more closely resembles the basal insulin secretion of the normal pancreatic beta cells. In type 2 diabetes and in combination with a short acting sulphonylurea (drugs which stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin), it can offer moderate control of serum glucose levels. In the absence of endogenous insulin (Type 1 diabetes or depleted type 2), Lantus needs the support of a fast acting insulin taken with food to reduce the effect of prandially derived glucose. It is post-prandial glucose elevation which more significantly affects HbA1c and thus determines the progression of the long-term complications of diabetes mellitus.

The peakless profile of Lantus also enables the dose to be relatively higher than standard NPH insulin. Because standard NPH is normally administered at night, its peak of action tends to coincide with the lower serum glucose levels associated with nocturnal metabolism. This can induce nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Lantus offers the benefit of a more consistent pharmacological dynamic without nocturnal hypoglycaemia. The result of this is a patient who feels more confident and more comfortable with a lower pre-bed and pre-breakfast capillary glucose level.

Lantus is formulated at pH4, whereby it is completely soluble. Upon injection, it is neutralized leading to the release small precipitates. This ensures that small amount of Lantus is released into the body continuously, giving a peakless profile

Answer 4

Not really, as long as you take it the same time each day. Taking it at night is a bit more common, but you can do it whenever is most convenient for you (as long as it's the same time every day).
I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble controlling your glucose, it can sometimes take some time, but I'll tell you this, if you follow your doctor's recomendations and record your fingersticks as you're supposed to, then if he's even marginally competant you almost certainly will be able to get good control, it just make take a bit to figure out exactly how much of what meds will help you get there.

Answer 5

You need to let your doctor know that about your blood sugar levels so he/she can make the appropriate adjustments. Also, let your doctor know you are having difficulty with the drug costs as their are programs to help people with this. Sometimes the drug companies give you the drugs free.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

LANTUS WORKS BEST WHEN TAKEN AT NIGHT