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How long does Lantus last?

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on June 12, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Lantus is a long acting insulin that is given by injection to diabetic patients, to control their high blood sugar levels. Lantus comes in two dosage forms including the Lantus 3mL SoloStar prefilled pen and the Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial.

How long does each Lantus insulin dose last?

Lantus is a long acting insulin that gives a steady level of insulin over approximately 24 hours, but the rate of absorption and how long it lasts can vary between different people.
Because Lantus lasts for 24 hours it is given as a once a day injection, at the same time each day.

How many doses in a Lantus pen (Lantus SoloStar) and how long will it last me?

The Lantus SoloStar is 100Units/mL and is a 3ml unit, so each Lantus Solostar contains 300 units.

To work out how long one Lantus SoloStar pen will last you, you need to divide 300 units by your daily dose. For example:

  • If you are using 12 units a day
  • 300÷12= 25 days
  • The Lantus SoloStar will last you 25 days.

If you are priming (safety testing) your pen before each dose, which is recommended, you do need to add this into your calculation. For example:

  • If you are using 13 units a day
  • Plus 2 units for priming = 15 units per day
  • 300÷15= 20 days
  • The Lantus SoloStar will last you 20 days.

How long does Lantus Solostar last once I have started using it?

The Lantus SoloStar pen’s expiry, once you have started using it, is 28 days. If you are on a low dose then one Lantus SoloStar pen may contain more than 28 days worth of insulin. In this case it is important to remember to discard the remaining Lantus SoloStar pen 28 days after you have started using it, even if it still contains insulin.

Once you have started using Lantus SoloStar it should be kept at room temperature and NOT in the refrigerator.

Related questions

How many doses in a Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial and how long will it last me?

The Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial is 100Units/mL and is a 10mL unit, so each Lantus multiple dose vial contains 1000 units.

To work out how long one Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial will last you, you need to divide 1000 units by your daily dose. For example:

  • If you are using 40 units a day
  • 1000÷40= 25 days
  • The Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial will last you 25 days.

How long does Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial last once I have started using it?

The Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial’s expiry, once you have started using it, is 28 days. If you are on a low dose then one Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial may contain more than 28 days worth of insulin. In this case it is important to remember to discard the remaining Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial 28 days after you have started using it, even if it still contains insulin.

Once you have started using Lantus 10ml multiple dose vial it can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

References

www.drugs.com/pro/lantus.html

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