These highlights do not include all the information needed to use LANTUS safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for LANTUS. LANTUS (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) solution for subcutaneous injectionInitial U.S. Approval: 200
LANTUS is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Important Limitations of Use:
LANTUS is a recombinant human insulin analog for once daily subcutaneous administration with potency that is approximately the same as the potency of human insulin. LANTUS exhibits a relatively constant glucose-lowering profile over 24 hours that permits once-daily dosing.
LANTUS may be administered at any time during the day. LANTUS should be administered subcutaneously once a day at the same time every day. The dose of LANTUS must be individualized based on clinical response. Blood glucose monitoring is essential in all patients receiving insulin therapy.
Patients adjusting the amount or timing of dosing with LANTUS, should only do so under medical supervision with appropriate glucose monitoring [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) .]
In patients with type 1 diabetes, LANTUS must be used in regimens with short-acting insulin.
The intended duration of activity of LANTUS is dependent on injection into subcutaneous tissue [see Clinical pharmacology (12.2)]. LANTUS should not be administered intravenously or via an insulin pump. Intravenous administration of the usual subcutaneous dose could result in severe hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
As with all insulins, injection sites should be rotated within the same region (abdomen, thigh, or deltoid) from one injection to the next to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy [See Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
In clinical studies, there was no clinically relevant difference in insulin glargine absorption after abdominal, deltoid, or thigh subcutaneous administration. As for all insulins, the rate of absorption, and consequently the onset and duration of action, may be affected by exercise and other variables, such as stress, intercurrent illness, or changes in co-administered drugs or meal patterns.
The recommended starting dose of LANTUS in patients with type 1 diabetes should be approximately one-third of the total daily insulin requirements. Short-acting, premeal insulin should be used to satisfy the remainder of the daily insulin requirements.
The recommended starting dose of LANTUS in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not currently treated with insulin is 10 units (or 0.2 Units/kg) once daily, which should subsequently be adjusted to the patient's needs.
The dose of LANTUS should be adjusted according to blood glucose measurements. The dosage of LANTUS should be individualized under the supervision of a healthcare provider in accordance with the needs of the patient.
If changing from a treatment regimen with an intermediate- or long-acting insulin to a regimen with LANTUS, the amount and timing of shorter-acting insulins and doses of any oral anti-diabetic drugs may need to be adjusted.
LANTUS solution for injection 100 Units per mL is available as:
LANTUS is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to LANTUS or one of its excipients.
Glucose monitoring is essential for all patients receiving insulin therapy. Changes to an insulin regimen should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or method of administration may result in the need for a change in insulin dose or an adjustment in concomitant oral anti-diabetic treatment.
As with all insulin preparations, the time course of action for LANTUS may vary in different individuals or at different times in the same individual and is dependent on many conditions, including the local blood supply, local temperature, and physical activity.
Do not administer LANTUS intravenously or via an insulin pump. The intended duration of activity of LANTUS is dependent on injection into subcutaneous tissue
Intravenous administration of the usual subcutaneous dose could result in severe hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Do not dilute or mix LANTUS with any other insulin or solution. If LANTUS is diluted or mixed, the solution may become cloudy, and the pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic profile (e.g., onset of action, time to peak effect) of LANTUS and the mixed insulin may be altered in an unpredictable manner. When LANTUS and regular human insulin were mixed immediately before injection in dogs, a delayed onset of action and a delayed time to maximum effect for regular human insulin was observed. The total bioavailability of the mixture was also slightly decreased compared to separate injections of LANTUS and regular human insulin. The relevance of these observations in dogs to humans is unknown.
Do not share disposable or reusable insulin devices or needles between patients, because doing so carries a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including LANTUS. The risk of hypoglycemia increases with intensive glycemic control. Patients must be educated to recognize and manage hypoglycemia. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness or convulsions and may result in temporary or permanent impairment of brain function or death. Severe hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of another person or parenteral glucose infusion or glucagon administration has been observed in clinical trials with insulin, including trials with LANTUS.
The timing of hypoglycemia usually reflects the time-action profile of the administered insulin formulations. Other factors such as changes in food intake (e.g., amount of food or timing of meals), exercise, and concomitant medications may also alter the risk of hypoglycemia [See Drug Interactions (7) ].
The prolonged effect of subcutaneous LANTUS may delay recovery from hypoglycemia. Patients being switched from twice daily NPH insulin to once-daily LANTUS should have their initial LANTUS dose reduced by 20% from the previous total daily NPH dose to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
As with all insulins, use caution in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness and in patients who may be predisposed to hypoglycemia (e.g., the pediatric population and patients who fast or have erratic food intake). The patient's ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycemia. This may present a risk in situations where these abilities are especially important, such as driving or operating other machinery.
Early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia may be different or less pronounced under certain conditions, such as longstanding diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, use of medications such as beta-blockers, or intensified glycemic control. These situations may result in severe hypoglycemia (and, possibly, loss of consciousness) prior to the patient's awareness of hypoglycemia.
Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulin products, including LANTUS.
Due to its long duration of action, Lantus is not recommended during periods of rapidly declining renal function because of the risk for prolonged hypoglycemia.
Although studies have not been performed in patients with diabetes and renal impairment, a reduction in the LANTUS dose may be required in patients with renal impairment because of reduced insulin metabolism, similar to observations found with other insulins. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Due to its long duration of action, Lantus is not recommended during periods of rapidly declining hepatic function because of the risk for prolonged hypoglycemia.
Although studies have not been performed in patients with diabetes and hepatic impairment, a reduction in the LANTUS dose may be required in patients with hepatic impairment because of reduced capacity for gluconeogenesis and reduced insulin metabolism, similar to observations found with other insulins. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Some medications may alter insulin requirements and subsequently increase the risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia [See Drug Interactions (7)].
The following adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying designs, the adverse reaction rates reported in one clinical trial may not be easily compared to those rates reported in another clinical trial, and may not reflect the rates actually observed in clinical practice.
The frequencies of treatment-emergent adverse events during LANTUS clinical trials in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus are listed in the tables below.
Table 1: Treatment –emergent adverse events in pooled clinical trials up to 28 weeks duration in adults with type 1 diabetes (adverse events with frequency ≥ 5%)
|
LANTUS, %
(n=1257) |
NPH, %
(n=1070) |
Upper respiratory tract infection |
22.4 |
23.1 |
Infection Body System not Specified |
9.4 |
10.3 |
Accidental injury |
5.7 |
6.4 |
Headache |
5.5 |
4.7 |
Table 2: Treatment –emergent adverse events in pooled clinical trials up to 1 year duration in adults with type 2 diabetes (adverse events with frequency ≥ 5%)
|
LANTUS, %
(n=849) |
NPH, %
(n=714) |
Upper respiratory tract infection |
11.4 |
13.3 |
Infection Body System not Specified |
10.4 |
11.6 |
Retinal vascular disorder |
5.8 |
7.4 |
Table 3: Treatment –emergent adverse events in a 5-year trial of adults with type 2 diabetes (adverse events with frequency ≥ 10%)
|
LANTUS, %
(n=514) |
NPH, %
(n=503) |
Upper respiratory tract infection |
29.0 |
33.6 |
Edema peripheral |
20.0 |
22.7 |
Hypertension |
19.6 |
18.9 |
Influenza |
18.7 |
19.5 |
Sinusitis |
18.5 |
17.9 |
Cataract |
18.1 |
15.9 |
Bronchitis |
15.2 |
14.1 |
Arthralgia |
14.2 |
16.1 |
Pain in extremity |
13.0 |
13.1 |
Back pain |
12.8 |
12.3 |
Cough |
12.1 |
7.4 |
Urinary tract infection |
10.7 |
10.1 |
Diarrhea |
10.7 |
10.3 |
Depression |
10.5 |
9.7 |
Headache |
10.3 |
9.3 |
Table 4: Treatment –emergent adverse events in a 28-week clinical trial of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (adverse events with frequency ≥ 5%)
|
LANTUS, %
(n=174) |
NPH, %
(n=175) |
Infection Body System not Specified |
13.8 |
17.7 |
Upper respiratory tract infection |
13.8 |
16.0 |
Pharyngitis |
7.5 |
8.6 |
Rhinitis |
5.2 |
5.1 |
Hypoglycemia is the most commonly observed adverse reaction in patients using insulin, including LANTUS [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Tables 5 and 6 summarize the incidence of severe hypoglycemia in the LANTUS individual clinical trials. Severe symptomatic hypoglycemia was defined as an event with symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of another person and associated with either a blood glucose below 50 mg/dL (≤56 mg/dL in the 5-year trial) or prompt recovery after oral carbohydrate, intravenous glucose or glucagon administration.
The rates of severe symptomatic hypoglycemia in the LANTUS clinical trials (see Section 14 for a description of the study designs) were comparable for all treatment regimens (see Tables 5 and 6). In the pediatric phase 3 clinical trial, children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes had a higher incidence of severe symptomatic hypoglycemia in the two treatment groups compared to the adult trials with type 1 diabetes. (see Table 5) [See Clinical Studies (14)].
Table 5: Severe Symptomatic Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
|
Study A
Type 1
Diabetes Adults 28 weeks In combination with regular insulin |
Study B
Type 1
Diabetes Adults 28 weeks
In combination with regular insulin |
Study C
Type 1
Diabetes Adults 16 weeks
In combination with insulin lispro |
Study D
Type 1
Diabetes Pediatrics 26 weeks
In combination with regular insulin |
|
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
Percent of patients (n/total N) |
10.6
(31/292) |
15.0
(44/293) |
8.7
(23/264) |
10.4
(28/270) |
6.5
(20/310) |
5.2
(16/309) |
23.0
(40/174) |
28.6
(50/175) |
Table 6: Severe Symptomatic Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
|
Study E
Type 2
Diabetes Adults 52 weeks
In combination with oral agents |
Study F
Type 2
Diabetes Adults 28 weeks In combination with regular insulin |
Study G
Type 2
Diabetes Adults 5 years
In combination with regular insulin |
|
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
Percent of patients
(n/total N) |
1.7
(5/289) |
1.1
(3/281) |
0.4
(1/259) |
2.3
(6/259) |
7.8
(40/513) |
11.9
(60/504) |
Retinopathy was eva luated in the LANTUS clinical studies by analysis of reported retinal adverse events and fundus photography. The numbers of retinal adverse events reported for LANTUS and NPH insulin treatment groups were similar for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
LANTUS was compared to NPH insulin in a 5-year randomized clinical trial that eva luated the progression of retinopathy as assessed with fundus photography using a grading protocol derived from the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Scale (ETDRS). Patients had type 2 diabetes (mean age 55 yrs) with no (86%) or mild (14%) retinopathy at baseline. Mean baseline HbA1c was 8.4%. The primary outcome was progression by 3 or more steps on the ETDRS scale at study endpoint. Patients with pre-specified post-baseline eye procedures (pan-retinal photocoagulation for proliferative or severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, local photocoagulation for new vessels, and vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy) were also considered as 3-step progressors regardless of actual change in ETDRS score from baseline. Retinopathy graders were blinded to treatment group assignment. The results for the primary endpoint are shown in Table 7 for both the per-protocol and Intent-to-Treat populations, and indicate similarity of Lantus to NPH in the progression of diabetic retinopathy as assessed by this outcome.
Table 7. Number (%) of patients with 3 or more step progression on ETDRS scale at endpoint
|
Lantus (%) |
NPH (%) |
DifferenceDifference = Lantus – NPH , using a generalized linear model (SAS GENMOD) with treatment and baseline HbA1c strata (cutoff 9.0%) as the classified independent variables, and with binomial distribution and identity link function (SE) |
95% CI for difference |
Per-protocol |
53/374 (14.2%) |
57/363 (15.7%) |
-2.0% (2.6%) |
-7.0% to +3.1% |
Intent-to-Treat |
63/502 (12.5%) |
71/487 (14.6%) |
- 2.1% (2.1%) |
-6.3% to +2.1% |
Intensification or rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a transitory, reversible ophthalmologic refraction disorder, worsening of diabetic retinopathy, and acute painful peripheral neuropathy. However, long-term glycemic control decreases the risk of diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy.
Long-term use of insulin, including LANTUS, can cause lipodystrophy at the site of repeated insulin injections. Lipodystrophy includes lipohypertrophy (thickening of adipose tissue) and lipoatrophy (thinning of adipose tissue), and may affect insulin absorption. Rotate insulin injection or infusion sites within the same region to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy. [See Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
Weight gain can occur with insulin therapy, including LANTUS, and has been attributed to the anabolic effects of insulin and the decrease in glucosuria.
Insulin, including LANTUS, may cause sodium retention and edema, particularly if previously poor metabolic control is improved by intensified insulin therapy.
Local Allergy
As with any insulin therapy, patients taking LANTUS may experience injection site reactions, including redness, pain, itching, urticaria, edema, and inflammation. In clinical studies in adult patients, there was a higher incidence of treatment-emergent injection site pain in LANTUS-treated patients (2.7%) compared to NPH insulin-treated patients (0.7%). The reports of pain at the injection site did not result in discontinuation of therapy.
Rotation of the injection site within a given area from one injection to the next may help to reduce or prevent these reactions. In some instances, these reactions may be related to factors other than insulin, such as irritants in a skin cleansing agent or poor injection technique. Most minor reactions to insulin usually resolve in a few days to a few weeks.
Systemic Allergy
Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, generalized skin reactions, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, and shock may occur with any insulin, including LANTUS and may be life threatening.
All insulin products can elicit the formation of insulin antibodies. The presence of such insulin antibodies may increase or decrease the efficacy of insulin and may require adjustment of the insulin dose. In phase 3 clinical trials of LANTUS, increases in titers of antibodies to insulin were observed in NPH insulin and insulin glargine treatment groups with similar incidences.
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of LANTUS.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate reliably their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Medication errors have been reported in which other insulins, particularly short-acting insulins, have been accidentally administered instead of LANTUS [See Patient Counseling Information (17) ]. To avoid medication errors between LANTUS and other insulins, patients should be instructed to always verify the insulin label before each injection.
A number of drugs affect glucose metabolism and may require insulin dose adjustment and particularly close monitoring.
The following are examples of drugs that may increase the blood-glucose-lowering effect of insulins including LANTUS and, therefore, increase the susceptibility to hypoglycemia: oral anti-diabetic products, pramlintide, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, propoxyphene, pentoxifylline, salicylates, somatostatin analogs, and sulfonamide antibiotics.
The following are examples of drugs that may reduce the blood-glucose-lowering effect of insulins including LANTUS: corticosteroids, niacin, danazol, diuretics, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol, terbutaline), glucagon, isoniazid, phenothiazine derivatives, somatropin, thyroid hormones, estrogens, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors and atypical antipsychotic medications (e.g. olanzapine and clozapine).
Beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, and alcohol may either potentiate or weaken the blood-glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Pentamidine may cause hypoglycemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycemia.
The signs of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent in patients taking sympatholytic drugs such as beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine.
Pregnancy Category C: Subcutaneous reproduction and teratology studies have been performed with insulin glargine and regular human insulin in rats and Himalayan rabbits. Insulin glargine was given to female rats before mating, during mating, and throughout pregnancy at doses up to 0.36 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 7 times the recommended human subcutaneous starting dose of 10 Units/day (0.008 mg/kg/day), based on mg/m. In rabbits, doses of 0.072 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 2 times the recommended human subcutaneous starting dose of 10 Units/day (0.008 mg/kg/day), based on mg/m, were administered during organogenesis. The effects of insulin glargine did not generally differ from those observed with regular human insulin in rats or rabbits. However, in rabbits, five fetuses from two litters of the high-dose group exhibited dilation of the cerebral ventricles. Fertility and early embryonic development appeared normal.
There are no well-controlled clinical studies of the use of LANTUS in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is essential for patients with diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes to maintain good metabolic control before conception and throughout pregnancy. Insulin requirements may decrease during the first trimester, generally increase during the second and third trimesters, and rapidly decline after delivery. Careful monitoring of glucose control is essential in these patients.
It is unknown whether insulin glargine is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs, including human insulin, are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when LANTUS is administered to a nursing woman. Use of LANTUS is compatible with breastfeeding, but women with diabetes who are lactating may require adjustments of their insulin doses.
The safety and effectiveness of subcutaneous injections of LANTUS have been established in pediatric patients (age 6 to 15 years) with type 1 diabetes [see Clinical Studies (14)]. LANTUS has not been studied in pediatric patients younger than 6 years of age with type 1 diabetes. LANTUS has not been studied in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes.
Based on the results of a study in pediatric patients, the dose recommendation when switching to LANTUS is the same as that described for adults [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Studies (14)]. As in adults, the dosage of LANTUS must be individualized in pediatric patients based on metabolic needs and frequent monitoring of blood glucose.
In controlled clinical studies comparing LANTUS to NPH insulin, 593 of 3890 patients (15%) with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were ≥65 years of age and 80 (2%) patients were ≥75 years of age. The only difference in safety or effectiveness in the subpopulation of patients ≥65 years of age compared to the entire study population was a higher incidence of cardiovascular events typically seen in an older population in both LANTUS and NPH insulin-treated patients.
Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when LANTUS is administered to geriatric patients. In elderly patients with diabetes, the initial dosing, dose increments, and maintenance dosage should be conservative to avoid hypoglycemic reactions. Hypoglycemia may be difficult to recognize in the elderly [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
An excess of insulin relative to food intake, energy expenditure, or both may lead to severe and sometimes prolonged and life-threatening hypoglycemia. Mild episodes of hypoglycemia can usually be treated with oral carbohydrates. Adjustments in drug dosage, meal patterns, or exercise may be needed.
More severe episodes of hypoglycemia with coma, seizure, or neurologic impairment may be treated with intramuscular/subcutaneous glucagon or concentrated intravenous glucose. After apparent clinical recovery from hypoglycemia, continued observation and additional carbohydrate intake may be necessary to avoid recurrence of hypoglycemia.
LANTUS (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) is a sterile solution of insulin glargine for use as a subcutaneous injection. Insulin glargine is a recombinant human insulin analog that is a long-acting (up to 24-hour duration of action), parenteral blood-glucose-lowering agent [See Clinical Pharmacology (12) ]. LANTUS is produced by recombinant DNA technology utilizing a non-pathogenic laboratory strain of Escherichia coli (K12) as the production organism. Insulin glargine differs from human insulin in that the amino acid asparagine at position A21 is replaced by glycine and two arginines are added to the C-terminus of the B-chain. Chemically, insulin glargine is 21-Gly-30a-L-Arg-30b-L-Arg-human insulin and has the empirical formula CHNOSand a molecular weight of 6063. Insulin glargine has the following structural formula:
LANTUS consists of insulin glargine dissolved in a clear aqueous fluid. Each milliliter of LANTUS (insulin glargine injection) contains 100 Units (3.6378 mg) insulin glargine.
The 10 mL vial presentation contains the following inactive ingredients per mL: 30 mcg zinc, 2.7 mg m-cresol, 20 mg glycerol 85%, 20 mcg polysorbate 20, and water for injection.
The 3 mL cartridge presentation contains the following inactive ingredients per mL: 30 mcg zinc, 2.7 mg m-cresol, 20 mg glycerol 85%, and water for injection.
The pH is adjusted by addition of aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. LANTUS has a pH of approximately 4.
The primary activity of insulin, including insulin glargine, is regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin and its analogs lower blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis and proteolysis, and enhances protein synthesis.
Insulin glargine is a human insulin analog that has been designed to have low aqueous solubility at neutral pH. At pH 4, as in the LANTUS injection solution, insulin glargine is completely soluble. After injection into the subcutaneous tissue, the acidic solution is neutralized, leading to formation of microprecipitates from which small amounts of insulin glargine are slowly released, resulting in a relatively constant concentration/time profile over 24 hours with no pronounced peak. This profile allows once-daily dosing as a basal insulin.
In clinical studies, the glucose-lowering effect on a molar basis (i.e., when given at the same doses) of intravenous insulin glargine is approximately the same as that for human insulin. In euglycemic clamp studies in healthy subjects or in patients with type 1 diabetes, the onset of action of subcutaneous insulin glargine was slower than NPH insulin. The effect profile of insulin glargine was relatively constant with no pronounced peak and the duration of its effect was prolonged compared to NPH insulin. Figure 1 shows results from a study in patients with type 1 diabetes conducted for a maximum of 24 hours after the injection. The median time between injection and the end of pharmacological effect was 14.5 hours (range: 9.5 to 19.3 hours) for NPH insulin, and 24 hours (range: 10.8 to >24.0 hours) (24 hours was the end of the observation period) for insulin glargine.
Figure 1. Activity Profile in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
* Determined as amount of glucose infused to maintain constant plasma glucose levels (hourly mean values); indicative of insulin activity.
The longer duration of action (up to 24 hours) of LANTUS is directly related to its slower rate of absorption and supports once-daily subcutaneous administration. The time course of action of insulins, including LANTUS, may vary between individuals and within the same individual.
Absorption and Bioavailability. After subcutaneous injection of insulin glargine in healthy subjects and in patients with diabetes, the insulin serum concentrations indicated a slower, more prolonged absorption and a relatively constant concentration/time profile over 24 hours with no pronounced peak in comparison to NPH insulin. Serum insulin concentrations were thus consistent with the time profile of the pharmacodynamic activity of insulin glargine.
After subcutaneous injection of 0.3 Units/kg insulin glargine in patients with type 1 diabetes, a relatively constant concentration/time profile has been demonstrated. The duration of action after abdominal, deltoid, or thigh subcutaneous administration was similar.
Metabolism. A metabolism study in humans indicates that insulin glargine is partly metabolized at the carboxyl terminus of the B chain in the subcutaneous depot to form two active metabolites with in vitro activity similar to that of insulin, M1 (21-Gly-insulin) and M2 (21-Gly-des-30-Thr-insulin). Unchanged drug and these degradation products are also present in the circulation.
Special Populations
Age, Race, and Gender. Information on the effect of age, race, and gender on the pharmacokinetics of LANTUS is not available. However, in controlled clinical trials in adults (n=3890) and a controlled clinical trial in pediatric patients (n=349), subgroup analyses based on age, race, and gender did not show differences in safety and efficacy between insulin glargine and NPH insulin [see Clinical Studies (14)].
Smoking. The effect of smoking on the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of LANTUS has not been studied.
Pregnancy. The effect of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LANTUS has not been studied [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Obesity. In controlled clinical trials, which included patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) up to and including 49.6 kg/m, subgroup analyses based on BMI did not show differences in safety and efficacy between insulin glargine and NPH insulin [see Clinical Studies (14)].
Renal Impairment. The effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of LANTUS has not been studied. However, some studies with human insulin have shown increased circulating levels of insulin in patients with renal failure. Careful glucose monitoring and dose adjustments of insulin, including LANTUS, may be necessary in patients with renal impairment [See Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Hepatic Impairment. The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of LANTUS has not been studied. However, some studies with human insulin have shown increased circulating levels of insulin in patients with liver failure. Careful glucose monitoring and dose adjustments of insulin, including LANTUS, may be necessary in patients with hepatic impairment [See Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].
In mice and rats, standard two-year carcinogenicity studies with insulin glargine were performed at doses up to 0.455 mg/kg, which was for the rat approximately 10 times and for the mouse approximately 5 times the recommended human subcutaneous starting dose of 10 Units/day (0.008 mg/kg/day), based on mg/m. The findings in female mice were not conclusive due to excessive mortality in all dose groups during the study. Histiocytomas were found at injection sites in male rats (statistically significant) and male mice (not statistically significant) in acid vehicle containing groups. These tumors were not found in female animals, in saline control, or insulin comparator groups using a different vehicle. The relevance of these findings to humans is unknown.
Insulin glargine was not mutagenic in tests for detection of gene mutations in bacteria and mammalian cells (Ames- and HGPRT-test) and in tests for detection of chromosomal aberrations (cytogenetics in vitro in V79 cells and in vivo in Chinese hamsters).
In a combined fertility and prenatal and postnatal study in male and female rats at subcutaneous doses up to 0.36 mg/kg/day, which was approximately 7 times the recommended human subcutaneous starting dose of 10 Units/day (0.008 mg/kg/day), based on mg/m, maternal toxicity due to dose-dependent hypoglycemia, including some deaths, was observed. Consequently, a reduction of the rearing rate occurred in the high-dose group only. Similar effects were observed with NPH insulin.
The safety and effectiveness of LANTUS given once-daily at bedtime was compared to that of once-daily and twice-daily NPH insulin in open-label, randomized, active-controlled, parallel studies of 2,327 adult patients and 349 pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 1,563 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (see Tables 8–11). In general, the reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with LANTUS was similar to that with NPH insulin. The overall rates of hypoglycemia did not differ between patients with diabetes treated with LANTUS compared to NPH insulin [See Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Type 1 Diabetes–Adult (see Table 8).
In two clinical studies (Studies A and B), patients with type 1 diabetes (Study A; n=585, Study B; n=534) were randomized to 28 weeks of basal-bolus treatment with LANTUS or NPH insulin. Regular human insulin was administered before each meal. LANTUS was administered at bedtime. NPH insulin was administered once daily at bedtime or in the morning and at bedtime when used twice daily.
In another clinical study (Study C), patients with type 1 diabetes (n=619) were randomized to 16 weeks of basal-bolus treatment with LANTUS or NPH insulin. Insulin lispro was used before each meal. LANTUS was administered once daily at bedtime and NPH insulin was administered once or twice daily.
In these 3 studies, LANTUS and NPH insulin had similar effects on HbA1c (Table 8) with a similar overall rate of hypoglycemia [See Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Table 8: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus–Adult
|
Study A |
Study B |
Study C |
Treatment duration
Treatment in combination with |
28 weeks
Regular insulin |
28 weeks
Regular insulin |
16 weeks
Insulin lispro |
|
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
LANTUS |
NPH |
Number of subjects treated |
292 |
293 |
264 |
270 |
310 |
309 |
HbA1c |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baseline HbA1c |
8.0 |
8.0 |
7.7 |
7.7 |
7.6 |
7.7 |
Adj. mean change from baseline |
+0.2 |
+0.1 |
-0.2 |
-0.2 |
-0.1 |
-0.1 |
LANTUS – NPH |
+0.1 |
+0.1 |
0.0 |
95% CI for Treatment difference |
(0.0; +0.2) |
(-0.1; +0.2) |
(-0.1; +0.1) |
Basal insulin dose |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baseline mean |
21 |
23 |
29 |
29 |
28 |
28 |
Mean change from baseline |
-2 |
0 |
-4 |
+2 |
-5 |
+1 |
Total insulin dose |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baseline mean |
48 |
52 |
50 |
51 |
50 |
50 |
Mean change from baseline |
-1 |
0 |
0 |
+4 |
-3 |
0 |
Fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baseline mean |
167 |
166 |
166 |
175 |
175 |
173 |
Adj. mean change from baseline |
-21 |
-16 |
-20 |
-17 |
-29 |
-12 |
Body weight (kg) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baseline mean |
73.2 |
74.8 |
75.5 |
75.0 |
74.8 |
75.6 |
Mean change from baseline |
0.1 |
-0.0 |
0.7 |
1.0 |
0.1 |
0.5 |
Type 1 Diabetes–Pediatric (see Table 9).
In a randomized, controlled clinical study (Study D), pediatric patients (age range 6 to 15 years) with type 1 diabetes (n=349) were treated for 28 weeks with a basal-bolus insulin regimen where regular human insulin was used before each meal. LANTUS was administered once daily at bedtime and NPH insulin was administered once or twice daily. Similar effects on HbA1c (Table 9) and the incidence of hypoglycemia were observed in both treatment groups [See Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Table 9: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus–Pediatric
|
Study D |
Treatment duration |
28 weeks |
Treatment in combination with |
Regular insulin |
|
LANTUS |
NPH |
Number of subjects treated |
174 |
175 |
HbA1c |
|
|
Baseline mean |
8.5 |
8. |