Generic name: insulin glargine [ IN-su-lin-GLAR-gine ]
Other brand names of insulin glargine include Basaglar KwikPen
Drug class: Insulin

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 21, 2023.

What is Basaglar?

Basaglar is a long-acting insulin that starts to work several hours after injection and keeps working evenly for 24 hours. Insulin is a hormone that works by lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Basaglar is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.

Basaglar, is for use in adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes and in children at least 6 years old with type 1 diabetes (not type 2).

For type 1 diabetes, Basaglar KwikPen is used together with a short-acting insulin given before meals.

Warnings

Never share a Basaglar KwikPen with another person, even if the needle has been changed.

You should not use Basaglar if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Basaglar is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Never share an injection pen, even if you changed the needle.

Basaglar KwikPen side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Basaglar: redness or swelling where an injection was given, itchy skin rash over the entire body, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, or swelling in your tongue or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• rapid weight gain, swelling in your feet or ankles;

• shortness of breath; or

• low blood potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common Basaglar side effects may include:

• low blood sugar;

• swelling, weight gain;

• allergic reaction, itching, rash; or

• thickening or hollowing of the skin where you injected the medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Basaglar KwikPen if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Basaglar KwikPen is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old, and some brands are for use only in adults. Do not use this medicine to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age.

To make sure Basaglar is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease; or

• heart failure or other heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.

How should I use Basaglar KwikPen?

Use Basaglar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use Basaglar in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The Toujeo brand of insulin glargine contains 3 times as much insulin per milliliter (mL) as the Basaglar brand. There are 300 units of insulin in 1 mL of Toujeo, and 100 units in 1 mL of Basaglar.

If there are any changes in the brand, strength, or type of insulin you use, your dosage needs may change.

Basaglar is injected under the skin. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself Basaglar if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used needles and pens.

Basaglar must not be given with an insulin pump, or mixed with other insulins. Do not inject Basaglar into a vein or a muscle.

Do not inject this medicine into skin that is damaged, tender, bruised, pitted, thickened, scaly, or has a scar or hard lump.

Basaglar is usually injected once per day at the same time each day. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of used needles and pens.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject Basaglar. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Use only the injection pen that comes with Basaglar KwikPen. Attach a new needle before each use. Do not transfer the insulin from the pen into a syringe.

Never share an injection pen with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Use a disposable needle only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your insulin dose or schedule.

Basaglar is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Keep Basaglar in its original container protected from heat and light. Do not freeze insulin or store it near the cooling element in a refrigerator. Throw away any insulin that has been frozen.

Storing unopened (not in use) Basaglar KwikPen:

• Refrigerate and use until the expiration date; or

• if stored at room temperature (below 86 degrees Fahrenheit) , use within 28 days.

Storing opened (in use) Basaglar KwikPen:

• Store the injection pen at room temperature (do not refrigerate) and use within 28 days.

Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has any particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Wear a diabetes medical alert tag (or carry an ID card) in case of emergency. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have diabetes.

Do not store an injection pen with the needle attached. Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose. Do not use more than one dose in a 24-hour period unless your doctor tells you to.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Insulin overdose can cause severe hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, numbness or tingling in your mouth, trouble speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.

What should I avoid while using Basaglar KwikPen?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Basaglar KwikPen will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid medication errors by always checking the medicine label before injecting your insulin.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using medicines that contain alcohol. It may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

What other drugs will affect Basaglar KwikPen?

Many drugs can affect your blood sugar and may also affect Basaglar. Some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Basaglar Biosimilars

Biosimilar and interchangeable products are biological products that are highly similar to and have no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product.

Reference products

These are biological products that have already been approved by the FDA, against which biosimilar products are compared. There are 4 for Basaglar.

Lantus interchangeable products

Interchangeable biosimilar products can be dispensed by a pharmacist without the intervention of the prescriber of the reference product.

Pharmacy laws for biosimilar prescribing may vary by state.

Popular FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Basaglar only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2025 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 17.01.