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Concerns about Lantus

S

sasha1

Member
Messages
8
Hi to all, was wondering if you could help me on this?
My 14yr old has been using lantus since july 08, previous to that he used levemir, he was changed because he was needing large amounts of levemir and nova rapid to stabalise his blood sugars. Recently though on lantus his usual night time dose has decreased by 14 units, he having unwarned hypo's especially night time, I have adjusted his nova rapid doses during the day accordingly.
However after trawling through the internet looking for ideas, I have stumbled across various reports regarding lantus/levemir. In one report it even mentioned any increase in cancer during tests on mice and rats, neither was I made aware that lantus starts off in a vat of E coli bacteria.
I am now in a state of worring that the insulin that is keeping my son alive, could have potentially hidden side effects.
Please help
Many thanks
Heidi x
:?:
 
neither was I made aware that lantus starts off in a vat of E coli bacteria
Click to expand...
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Oh my goodness, I didn't know that. Just double-checked that for myself and you're right. That is scary. Thing is, Lantus seems to suit me quite well, on the whole, so I suppose you have to weigh up the benefits and disadvantages too. Even though the e.coli bacteria is purified, I still don't like the sound of that. I don't think the diabetes itself will kill me off....it'll be the worry over dealing with it! :lol:
Seriously, we probably don't know half what goes on with medication production but as most of us are not scientists, I guess we just have to trust those who are.
 
Hi Heidi.

I can appreciate your concerns about the Insulin but I think that as all medicines have to go through stringent checks and trials I would say don't worry yourself unduly.
There are always scare stories around the World about all sorts of Drugs. As chocoholic says ' we just have to trust the scientists on this.'

Lantus has many proven benefits. Have a look at this link which is specifically about Lantus and Children and Parents.
http://www.lantus.com/lantus_for_kids/p ... guide.aspx

Try not to worry. Just concentrate on looking after your son.

Ken.
 
Hello Heidi,

Malignant fibrous histiocytomas (cancerous tumors) were found at the injection sites of rats
and mice tested with Lantus. However, these tumors were attributed to a common reaction
seen in rodents injected with non-neutral pH solutions (Lantus has a low pH). No evidence was found to suggest that Lantus had any wider systemic carcinogenic potential in rats and mice.
Any cancer risk to humans currently remains theoretical.

The strain of Escherichia coli used in the manufacture of Lantus is non-pathogenic (harmless).

Best regards,
Timo.
 
Don't worry about the Ecoli
When i was studying microbioogy, I remember the professor saying that there are only 2 species of bacteria, e.coli and "contaminant" It's the most common bacterium used in lab work. Most strains are harmless. It's natural that recombinant DNA would be from this microbe. Of course, there's not much E coli left in the culture, when purified, if any.
 
IME over many years reading in many forums, Lantus is head and shoulder above the older insulin for *most* but not all users, a minority have problems with it which are usually not present with Levemir. Usually either pain at the injection site or hypo unawareness seem to be the commonest problems, other things are rarer.
 
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