Lantus - split dose advice

neryscm

Active Member
Messages
30
Hello,
In my appointment with my consultant this morning she wanted me to begin splitting my Lantus dose (currently on 20 units at 10.30pm). Can I just check what this means? It was explained but I've forgotten as it was discussed amongst lots of other things. Should I take half the dose at 10.30am and the other half 10.30pm? Please let me know if I've got it completely wrong!!
Thank you,
Nerys.
 

mrman

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,419
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi, yes split dose in regards to basal is switching from once to twice daily 12 hours apart. Not usually done with lantus (but some do). Because lantus is supposed to work for 24 hrs as a once daily injection but, some find it only lasts 14 - 20 hours so is split to make sure more is working for full 24 hours. On the first night you may wake up high having only had a 1\2 dose which will catch up by the second night as you would of had the other half in the morning which should continue to work through the night with the other half.
Levemir is a different basal more suited to split dose and, on occasions a different split is used instead of 50/50, for example 40\60 or 60\40 depending if more or less needed at am or pm.
If can't get the basal right using these maybe enquire about a pump.
 

neryscm

Active Member
Messages
30
Thanks for your reply brett. The appointment was in regards to a pump - hopefully I'll be on one within the next 6 weeks, but until then I'm supposed to split my dose as the basal dose isn't really working for me. Thanks again :)
 
M

mammamia2006

Guest
I used to have my Lantus at 7.30pm and now I have 2/3 dose at 6pm and the other 1/3 at 8am.

It does not have to be exactly 12hrs apart but you will find what works for you.

Good luck!
 

Mep

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,461
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I've often wondered about this and I've asked my endo about splitting the dose too and he told me I can't do this and to continue with daily dose only. I notice with me my highest BGLs are normally later in the day heading towards the time of my next basal dosage. I have often thought that it is the basal dose wearing off sooner than the 24 hours it claims to cover. Because my endo is seeing me every 6 months if I start splitting it I get the impression he won't be impressed. But I'm so tempted to give it a try to see if I get better numbers. I was on 12 units and recently increased it to 14 units as morning BGL too high. I'm still not sure I've got it right just yet. But something has changed for me in the last month as sugars aren't doing what they normally do. I'm on apidra for bolus doses.
 

MH2010

Well-Known Member
Messages
438
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
@Mep I was told not to split my Lantus as well but decided not to listen as its my body and I know what works for me (splitting it definitely works for me lol)

As long as YOU know what you are doing & let them know as its your choice at the end of the day & no one elses.
 

sue cope

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hello,
In my appointment with my consultant this morning she wanted me to begin splitting my Lantus dose (currently on 20 units at 10.30pm). Can I just check what this means? It was explained but I've forgotten as it was discussed amongst lots of other things. Should I take half the dose at 10.30am and the other half 10.30pm? Please let me know if I've got it completely wrong!!
Thank you,
Nerys.
Hello,
In my appointment with my consultant this morning she wanted me to begin splitting my Lantus dose (currently on 20 units at 10.30pm). Can I just check what this means? It was explained but I've forgotten as it was discussed amongst lots of other things. Should I take half the dose at 10.30am and the other half 10.30pm? Please let me know if I've got it completely wrong!!
Thank you,
Nerys.
I was taking a very large dose of Lantus - 96 units at about 11pm. My Specialist Nurse suggested I change injection sites from stomach to thighs, reducing the dose, because it would be more effective in thighs, and splitting it in half, in each thigh at the same time. So far, working very well, although even with a short needle, injections in the thighs more painful.