Among the different choices of medications for diabetes, long-acting insulin is one of the more frequently recommended medications. Basaglar belongs to this category, and is a brand name of insulin glargine, and is to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults and children above 6 years of age. The drug is typically used in in combination with rapid-acting insulin to regulate blood sugar throughout the day and night. Another drug belonging to the category of long acting insulin is Lantus. Patients often request clarifications regarding the differences between the two, with the common question – Basaglar and Lantus – what is the difference between them? Following subsections offer a detailed look at both the medications to clearly highlight the differences between the two drugs.
Mechanism of action of Basaglar
Administered by injection, typically once a day, the desired outcomes of Basaglar is attributed to its mechanism of action, outlined herein. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps to regulate blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into cells throughout the body. Basaglar works by mimicking the effects of naturally occurring insulin in the body. When injected subcutaneously, insulin glargine forms small aggregates, and this slowly releases the insulin into the bloodstream. This ensures a steady and sustained release of insulin over a period of 24 hours, helping to regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day and night.
Insulin glargine works by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells, which stimulates the uptake of glucose and the synthesis of glycogen, a stored form of glucose, in the liver and muscle cells. This reduces the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream, which helps to prevent hyperglycemia and its associated complications. Unlike regular insulin, Basaglar has a longer duration of action due to its slow and sustained release into the bloodstream. This allows for once-daily dosing and helps to provide more consistent blood sugar control throughout the day and night.
Overview of Lantus and mechanism of action
As outlined above, Lantus is a branded version of insulin glargine, a man-made form of insulin that works by lowering blood sugar levels in the body. Lantus, like Basaglar is used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults and children above 6 years. The drug is also used as part of a combination regimen with a rapid-acting insulin, and is administered by injection once a day.
The mechanism of action of Lantus is similar to that of Basaglar, mimicking the effects of naturally occurring insulin in the body. This reduces the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream, preventing hyperglycemia and associated complications.
Basaglar and Lantus – What is the difference between them?
Basaglar and Lantus are both long-acting insulins used to treat diabetes. Both drugs contain the same active ingredient, insulin glargine, and work in a similar way to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. However, there are some differences between the two medications.
- One of the main differences is that Basaglar is a biosimilar insulin, and this effectively means it is designed to be similar to Lantus, the original formulation of long acting insulin. Biosimilars are similar in safety and effectiveness as the originator product, but are less expensive.
- The second difference is that Basaglar has a slightly different formulation than Lantus, and this may impact the manner in which it is absorbed and used by the body. This may lead to slight differences in dosing and administration.
- Basaglar is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, while Lantus is a product of Sanofi.
The choice between Basaglar and Lantus depends on individual factors including cost, availability, and personal preferences. The ideal option would be to follow the recommendations of the healthcare specialist regarding the most suitable medication.
Key differences in side effects of Basaglar and Lantus
By virtue of both Basaglar and Lantus containing the same active ingredient, both drugs may cause similar side effects, as listed below:
- Low blood sugar levels, known as Hypoglycemia
- Injection site reactions including pain, redness, and itching
- Hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, itching, and swelling
However, as Basaglar and Lantus may have slightly different formulations or manufacturing processes, certain differences in side effect profiles are possible. For instance, Basaglar may have a slightly higher risk of injection site reactions compared to Lantus. However, these differences are typically small and may not be clinically significant.
The risk and severity of side effects may vary from person to person and can depend on different factors including age, dose, and duration of treatment. It is also possible for individuals to experience side effects that are not listed here. Individuals who experience any new or worsening symptoms while on Basaglar or Lantus, are to seek intervention or recommendations from the healthcare provider.
Main differences in drug interactions of Basaglar and Lantus
Both Basaglar and Lantus may interact with other medications in similar ways. Medications that may interact with both Basaglar and Lantus include:
- Oral diabetes medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, such as sulfonylureas or meglitinides, can increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with insulin.
- Beta-blockers may mask some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it more difficult to recognize and treat.
- Thiazolidinediones can increase the risk of fluid retention and heart failure when used with insulin.
- Corticosteroids can increase blood sugar levels and may require higher doses of insulin to control diabetes.
Certain differences in drug interactions between Basaglar and Lantus may occur or be experienced due to differences in formulation or manufacturing processes. However, these differences are also likely to be negligible or trivial in nature and may not be clinically significant.
Patients on either of the two medications are to seek the intimate the healthcare provider regarding about all medications, supplements, and herbal products in use. This will help the specialist to either adjust the dosage or stagger the intake schedule of interacting medications, so as to mitigate any possible side effects.
Education: Bachelor’s in Journalism with a minor in Nutrition from Northwestern University. Experience: 15 years as a health journalist, writing for major publications like The New York Times and TIME, with a focus on diet, exercise, and chronic disease management.
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