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New to using LANTUS.

M

mr unhappy

Newbie
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4
Hi, this is my first posting to this site and hope that my question is appropiate for this group.

I have recently been using insulin (Lantus) after my GP suggested the tablets were no longer really working too well.

I have been slowly incrementing the units per day over the last month and I am now on a daily dose of 42 units and my blood/sugar reading are really good, best I have had for a long time. I am very happy with the results.

However, I am suffering from only one side effect and that is a very light rash all along the underside of both arms, it is not painful.

I intend to speak to my GP next week about this but just wondered what he might do. Lantus seems to be working very well for me apart from this small side effect. Is it the sort of side effect that will subside by its self?

Thanks. :D
 
Hi mr unhappy.

What meds and dosage were you on prior to the GP putting you on Lantus ?
Do you still take any tabs ?

Insulin is the drug of last resort usually. It is not normally recommended for routine use in patients with type 2 diabetes unless they suffer from recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia or require assistance with their insulin injections.

I think I would have asked for a referral to an Endocrinologist if it had been me.

Ken. :D
 
Hi mrunhappy

One of the reasons I assume that your doctor has suggested that you start to take Lantus to deal with the blood glucose that is being produced by your liver hence why long acting insulin is referred to background insulin, as it deals with the liver rather than the food you eat..

In T2's this gives the insulin that is being produced by the pancreas a change to deal with the food you are eating, you might also need the support of oral medication for the insulin resistence, but your doctor will work through this with you..

I would have a word with your doctor concerning the rash, as a rash is a known side effect of Lantus, in most cases it's normally found around the injection site, but in a few cases it can be anywhere or all over the body... The rash needs to be looked at, and if it is a result of the Lantus then a change to Levemir (another background/long acting insulin) in most case solves the problem..
 
Hi jopar,

I have been on tablets (Pioglitazone, Gliclazide & Metformin). These were not really giving me good numbers, first thing in the morning I was getting 11 or 12. My diabetic nurse told me I was about max'ed out on the tablets.

I started Lantus about a month ago and am only taking the Metformin now, 2 x500mg at lunch and 2x500mg at dinner.

As I said, the numbers I am getting now are great, best I have had for a long time. I like the 1 shot of Lantus per 24hours, which I take just before breakfast.

I am getting around 5.5 before breakfast and usually around a 6 before lunch and dinner. I have to have a HbA1c test around may/june.

If I can get shot of this rash I will be well happy. The rash, although mild, is all along the underside of my arms. There is nothing around or at the injection site.

Just wondered if this side effect will resolve itself given time.

Many thanks. :P
 
mr unhappy

It does seem to be doing well for you indeed,

Whether this rash will toddle off on it's own, I honesty couldn't say as it would depend on what is causing the rash really?

But if they do decide to change your insulin, don't be dishearted as Levimer is very much like Lantus, but does have a slightly different PH balance and a slight different makeup to it, I think that there is also a slightl difference in dose, so you might need to adjust it..

Never know, it might end up being more suited to you and your needs than the Lantus...
 
Hi Mr Unhappy

I think you need to ask the Gp to be referred to a dermatologist - its a new rash,and shouldnt be assumed its just related to the Lantus. Also, if it is an allergic reaction, have you tried taking antihistamines to see if it has any impact?

L
 
My thanks to everyone for the advice.

Went to see the Doc last week and she looked at the rash or rather spots I have got and prescribed me an Antihistamine.

This I have been taking now for about 5 days and things have not got better or worse. I have got to contact her tomorrow with the news :( ,...not sure what she will do next. She did seem reluctant to change to a different insulin, more like this was to be a last resort thing!

I still feel it is Lantus that is causing the problems. Wondering now what else she has to play with?
 
mr unhappy said:
My thanks to everyone for the advice.
Went to see the Doc last week and she looked at the rash or rather spots I have got and prescribed me an Antihistamine.
This I have been taking now for about 5 days and things have not got better or worse. I have got to contact her tomorrow with the news :( ,...not sure what she will do next. She did seem reluctant to change to a different insulin, more like this was to be a last resort thing!
I still feel it is Lantus that is causing the problems. Wondering now what else she has to play with?
Click to expand...

Contrary to what someone posted earlier Lantus does not have any known side effect of a rash. See 2009 BNF. I will stand corrected if they can provide me with a validated link stating the contrary.

However, Metformin which I believe you also take does have several side effects which may be the problem you have.
METFORMIN
Side-effects anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (usually transient), abdominal pain, taste disturbance, rarely lactic acidosis (withdraw treatment), decreased vitamin-B12 absorption, erythema, pruritus and urticaria; hepatitis also reported

Pruritus. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/ ... ritus.html
Erythema. http://www.medicinenet.com/erythema_nodosum/article.htm
Urticaria. http://www.medicinenet.com/hives/article.htm
Aslo known as Hives.
Check out the sites, you know best what you are sufferring and what it looks like.
If you find something that may apply get back to your GP and jog his/her memory.

Hope this helps.
Ken.
 
Hmmm cugila hate to tell you this is from sanofi-aventis the manufactureres of Lantus

Injection Site and Allergic Reactions:
As with any insulin therapy, lipodystrophy may occur at the injection site and delay insulin absorption. Other injection site reactions with insulin therapy include redness, pain, itching, hives, swelling, and inflammation. Continuous rotation of the injection site within a given area may help to reduce or prevent these reactions. Most minor reactions to insulins usually resolve in a few days to a few weeks.

Reports of injection site pain were more frequent with LANTUS than NPH human insulin (2.7% insulin glargine versus 0.7% NPH). The reports of pain at the injection site were usually mild and did not result in discontinuation of therapy.

Immediate-type allergic reactions are rare. Such reactions to insulin (including insulin glargine) or the excipients may, for example, be associated with generalized skin reactions, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, or shock and may be life threatening.


full doc here http://products.sanofi-aventis.us/lantus/lantus.html you need to scroll down to find it though
 
Thanks for the input Jopar.

I did say if anybody had a validated link I am happy to stand corrected.
Pity Sanofi-Aventis and the BNF didn't get their heads together on this one. There is no mention of this in there at all.
However that doesn't alter my other findings. i am happy for them to stand, unless you have some other link for me ?

Cheers.

Edited. T
Thanks to input from Jopar, please disregard 1st paragraph.
Relevant information not in prescribing information. Note: Added to memory bank for future info. :)
 
Well, I have taken myself off of Lantus for the last 5 days and stopped taking the Antihistamine tabs. This was my own decision as things were not getting any better regarding the spots/rash on my arms.

Only thing is that over the last 5 days without taking anything things have not got better or worse, so I am well confused as to what may be going on. I would of thought that within 5 days any side effects caused by Lantus would of subsided and be out of my system.

Doc has now got back to me and has put me on Levemir as he thinks that I may of been sensitive to the other substances within Lantus, not the insulin itself! However, I am not sure if I should wait until things are back to normal before starting Levemir.

I cannot think of anything else that maybe causing this rash, and I don't believe in coincidences. I am well confused and disapointed as Lantus was working really well for me :evil:
 
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