Type 1 Levamir / Toujeo

[Specsquee]

I just started on insulin and due to some insurance snafus I still am not able to refill my levamir. While approval is pending on that I was given two Toujeo pens for when the Levamir ran out. Am I looking at a major difference between the two and should I be on the look out for any problems while I am waiting for my current prescription to work itself out?

 

[tim2000s]

They are very different @Specsquee . Toujeo is a concentrated form of Glargine, so will require fewer units. I'd suggest you need to talk to a medic to go over the change in dosing that you will require.

 

[Specsquee]

Thank you, I will make a call to my doctors office before I use it.

 

[Specsquee]

So my doctor still has not called me back. After I left a message with a nurse regarding the dosage and I need to get some sleep. I just used the last of my Levamir this morning so I will need to use the Toujeo tonight regardless. If my doctor flakes on me does anybody have any idea about a rough conversion so I do not end up making a mistake?

 

[Specsquee]

Doctor told me to take the same amount as the Levamir (15 units), I am skeptical so just to test I took 10 units of Toujeo and am monitoring my levels for anything weird.

 

[TorqPenderloin]

They are very different @Specsquee . Toujeo is a concentrated form of Glargine, so will require fewer units. I'd suggest you need to talk to a medic to go over the change in dosing that you will require.

The first part of your sentence is correct. Toujeo is a more concentrated form of insulin. HOWEVER, the actual dosing in units is the same.

Unfortunately, that's caused a lot of issues here in the US with people who think they that if they took 20 units of levemir/lantus they would only need to take, lets say, 10 units of toujeo.

Edit- some people actually find they need MORE toujeo than lantus. However, the dosage is considered 1:1 between the two without accounting for individual circumstances (if you take 10 units of lantus, in theory you should take 10 units of toujeo).

 

[TorqPenderloin]

By the way, if you're curious to know what's so special about a Toujeo?...its patent protected. Why is it better than Lantus? In about 4 months, Lantus will no longer be patent protected (the patent has actually already expired, but they're delaying it longer with legal orders) which means other companies can create a generic version of it (Eli Lily already has one ready to go).

Sanofi is definitely pushing Toujeo very hard here in the US and there are TV commercials for it on every channel. They also seem to be rapidly hiring in my area looking for reps (I'm sure to help convince doctors to begin prescribing Toujeo instead of Lantus).

As far as its benefits beyond Lantus/Levemir? I know of several people that are personally happy with it, but I have yet to speak with anyone who felt it was considerably better.

 

[tim2000s]

Thanks @TorqPenderloin. The feedback from the clinical trials is similar.