Toujeo vs Lantus - What's the difference between them?
Both Toujeo and Lantus are long-acting insulins that contain glargine, however Toujeo is more concentrated containing 300 units per mL of glargine, compared to Lantus’s 100 units per mL.
Researchers discovered that concentrating insulin makes it last longer in the body with less variability in blood levels over time. This translates to a lower risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), especially at night. Some reports have stated the risk of hypoglycemia may be up to 30% less with Toujeo compared to Lantus.
However, it is important to realize that concentrated does not mean stronger, it just means that there is more insulin per volume of liquid. Because the pen has been calibrated in such a way as to draw up smaller volumes, the dosage conversion from Lantus to Toujeo is still 1:1. For example, if your doctor prescribed you 22 units of Lantus and you changed to Toujeo, your initial dose would be 22 units of Toujeo.
In reality, though, some people may require dosage changes when switching products because it takes a while for your body to adjust to new insulin medication. In clinical trials, many people switching from Lantus to Toujeo required a higher dose of Toujeo compared with their previous Lantus dose.
Toujeo is sold in a packet of 3 cartridges at a cost of approximately $415 for 4.5 milliliters ($92.29/mL). Lantus is sold as a packet of 5 cartridges at a cost of approximately $453 for 15 milliliters ($30.23/mL). Toujeo works out only slightly more expensive than Lantus if you take the fact that it is three times more concentrated into consideration (real cost value $30.76/mL with Toujeo vs $30.23/mL with Lantus).
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Comparison Chart of Toujeo and Lantus
| Toujeo | Lantus | |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin | glargine | glargine |
| Type | Long acting basal insulin | Long acting basal insulin |
| FDA approved | 2015 | 2000 |
| Dosage form | Pen | Pen, vial |
| Concentration (units/mL) | 300 | 100 |
| Onset of action (hours) | 6 | 1-3 |
| Duration of action (hours) | 24+ | 24 |
| Time to reach steady state | At least 5 days | 2-4 days |
| Administration | Subcutaneous | Subcutaneous |
| Frequency of injection | Daily | Daily |
| In-use storage | 56 days at room temperature | 28 days at room temperature |
| Long-term storage | Refrigerator | Refrigerator |
| Approximate cost | $415 (3 cartridges) | $453 (5 cartridges) |
See also: Toujeo vs Tresiba
Read next
What are the different types of insulin?
Insulins are usually grouped as fast-acting, intermediate-acting, or long-acting. Within these groups, they can be further classified as human insulin and human insulin analogs. An insulin analog is a human insulin that has one or two amino acids changed which affects how quickly it is absorbed after injection and how fast or slow it acts. Insulin analogs are usually given within 15 minutes of a meal or at the same time as food. Continue reading
When does insulin lispro peak / how long does it last?
Lispro peaks 30 to 90 minutes after administration and lasts for less than five hours (usually two to four hours). Continue reading
What type of insulin is Humalog?
Humalog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin. It begins working to lower blood sugar levels about 15 minutes after injection, reaches a peak in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. Humalog helps to control the blood sugar spikes that may occur during mealtime. It is used within 15 minutes before eating or right after eating a meal. Continue reading
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