When comparing glargine insulin and Lantus, it's important to understand their relationship. Lantus is a brand name for insulin glargine, a long-acting insulin used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes [1]. Therefore, glargine insulin is the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and Lantus is one of its branded formulations.
What Exactly is Insulin Glargine?
Insulin glargine is a modified human insulin that provides a basal (background) insulin level for approximately 24 hours [2]. It is synthesized using recombinant DNA technology and is designed to have a prolonged duration of action compared to regular human insulin [3]. This makes it suitable for once-daily injection to manage blood glucose levels.
How Does Lantus Work?
Lantus works by lowering blood glucose levels after injection. It is absorbed slowly into the bloodstream, providing a steady insulin supply that mimics the body's natural basal insulin secretion [2]. This helps prevent blood sugar from rising too high between meals and overnight.
When Does the Patent for Lantus Expire?
The patent for Lantus has expired, allowing for the development and marketing of biosimilar versions [4]. Information on specific patent expiry dates can be found on specialized resources like DrugPatentWatch.com [4]. The expiration of patents is a key factor enabling competition from generic and biosimilar manufacturers.
What Are the Biosimilar Options for Insulin Glargine?
Following the patent expiry of Lantus, several biosimilar versions of insulin glargine have been approved and are available. These biosimilars are highly similar to the reference product, Lantus, in terms of safety, efficacy, and quality [5]. Examples include Semglee and Basaglar [6, 7].
How Do Biosimilar Insulin Glargines Compare to Lantus?
Biosimilar insulin glargines are designed to be therapeutically equivalent to Lantus. Clinical studies demonstrate that these biosimilars have no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety, purity, and potency compared to the reference product [5, 8]. They offer patients and healthcare providers alternative treatment options that are generally more affordable.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Biosimilar Insulin Glargine?
The primary benefit of biosimilar insulin glargine is increased accessibility and affordability for patients. By introducing competition, biosimilars can lead to lower drug costs, making long-acting insulin treatment more attainable for a wider population [9].
What Are the Risks or Side Effects of Insulin Glargine?
Common side effects associated with insulin glargine, including Lantus and its biosimilars, are similar. These can include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, or itching, and lipodystrophy (changes in fat tissue at the injection site) [2, 8]. Hypoglycemia is the most frequent and potentially serious side effect.
How is Insulin Glargine Administered?
Insulin glargine is administered by subcutaneous injection, typically once daily, at any time of day but at the same time each day [2]. It should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe.
Sources:
1. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/insulin-glargine-subcutaneous-injection-route/proper-use/drg-20068787
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4775875/
4. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/
5. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-biosimilar-insulin-glargine-product-us
6. https://www.semglee.com/
7. https://www.basaglar.com/
8. https://www.rxlist.com/basaglar-drug.htm
9. https://www.aace.com/patient-resources/type-2-diabetes/managing-blood-glucose/insulin/basaglar