A Step-By-Step Guide To Using Your Lantus Solostar Pen
A Step-By-Step Guide To Using Your Lantus Solostar Pen
SoloStar ® pen
A step-by-step guide to using your
Lantus SoloStar pen
This quick how-to guide—a short version of the instruction
leaflet included in your Lantus SoloStar pen box—has been
designed to help you more easily learn how to inject the
right amount of insulin every time. That way, you may avoid
getting too little or too much insulin, which can affect your
blood sugar levels.
If you are using Lantus SoloStar for the first time, it is important that you read the full instruction
leaflet and follow all of the steps to help ensure you receive an accurate dose each time.
Do not share needles, pens, or syringes with others. Do NOT reuse needles.
People who are blind or have vision problems should not use the Lantus SoloStar prefilled pen
without help from a person trained in its use.
What is Lantus?
Prescription Lantus is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and pediatric
patients (children 6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar.
Do not use Lantus to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
Please click here for full Important Safety Information for Lantus.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for Lantus or scan QR code.
CHOOSE AN INJECTION SITE GET TO KNOW YOUR PEN AND ITS PARTS
The three possible injection sites are: The Lantus SoloStar pen was designed with a simple-to-push injection button and a large dosing window.
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• Do not use the same spot for each injection
or inject where the skin is pitted, thickened,
lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, Front Back HOW TO DISPOSE OF NEEDLES
or damaged.
View a step-by-step video on how to inject at Place used needles in sharps containers, which you can buy at your local drugstore.
[Link].
INJECTION AREAS TO AVOID If a sharps container isn’t available, use a strong plastic bottle that cannot be punctured, such as a
bleach or laundry detergent bottle. Make sure the cap is on tight. When you’re ready to dispose of
When injecting in these three areas, avoid:
the bottle, put tape over the cap and write “SHARPS” on the bottle.
• The two-inch circle around the navel.
• Injecting too close to the bony area above the knee. Take your sharps container to appropriate collection sites, which may include doctors’ offices,
hospitals, pharmacies, health departments, fire stations, or other locations.
• The forearm. Only use the outer back area of the upper arm where there is fatty tissue.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Safe Community Needle Disposal website.
• Always rotate your injection sites as instructed by your doctor. Don’t flush used sharps down the toilet or drop them into a sewer drain.
• Never force the needle. This can hurt and may damage it. Too much force can also affect
how much insulin you get.
Don’t put used sharps in soda cans, milk cartons, glass bottles, coffee cans, or containers that can be
• Never inject into the muscle. broken or punctured.
! Always discard the pen with the pen cap on. You can discard the pen in regular trash.
• Always store UNOPENED Lantus SoloStar pens in • Always use a new needle.
the refrigerator.
• Never refrigerate the pen after opening it.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water
! before an injection. • Never play with the dial before using the pen
to help prevent jamming.
• Always check the expiration date of the pen.
Please click here for full Important Safety Information for Lantus.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for Lantus or scan QR code.
4 5
STEP 3. PERFORM A SAFETY TEST STEP 5. INJECT YOUR DOSE
• Dial a test dose of 2 Units. • Clean site with an alcohol swab. Please see injection
• Hold pen with the needle pointing up and lightly site options on page 2.
tap the insulin reservoir so the air bubbles rise to • Keep the pen straight, insert the needle into your skin.
the top of the needle. This will help you get the most
• Use your thumb to press the injection button all the
accurate dose.
way down. When the number in the dose window
• Press the injection button all the way in and check returns to 0 as you inject, slowly count to 10 before
to see that insulin comes out of the needle. The dial removing. (Counting to 10 will make sure you get
will automatically go back to zero after you perform your full insulin dose.)
the test.
• Release the button and remove the needle from
• If no insulin comes out, repeat the test 2 more times. your skin.
If there is still no insulin coming out, use a new
needle and do the safety test again.
!
• Always perform the safety test before each injection.
! • Take the needle from your skin if you dial
• Never use the pen if no insulin comes out after using a second needle. another dose. 10 secs
Please click here for full Important Safety Information for Lantus.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for Lantus or scan QR code.
6 7
What is Lantus?
Prescription Lantus is a long-acting insulin used to treat or type of insulin without talking to your healthcare
adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and pediatric provider. Any change of insulin should be made
patients (children 6 years and older) with type 1 cautiously and only under medical supervision.
diabetes for the control of high blood sugar.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus with any other insulin or
Do not use Lantus to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. solution. It will not work as intended and you may lose
blood sugar control, which could be serious. Lantus must
Important Safety Information only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with no
Do not take Lantus during episodes of low blood sugar particles visible. Always make sure you have the correct
or if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive insulin before each injection.
ingredients in Lantus.
While using Lantus, do not drive or operate heavy
Do not share needles, insulin pens, or syringes with machinery until you know how Lantus affects you. You
others. Do NOT reuse needles. should not drink alcohol or use other medicines that
Before starting Lantus, tell your doctor about all your contain alcohol.
medical conditions, including if you have liver or kidney The most common side effect of insulin, including
problems, if you are pregnant or planning to become Lantus, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may
pregnant or if you are breast-feeding or planning to be serious and life threatening. It may cause harm to
breast-feed. your heart or brain. Symptoms of serious low blood sugar
Change (rotate) your injection sites within the area may include shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and
you chose with each dose to reduce your risk of getting blurred vision.
lipodystrophy (pitted or thickened skin) and localized Lantus may cause serious side effects that can lead to
cutaneous amyloidosis (skin with lumps) at the injection death, such as severe allergic reactions. Get medical
sites. Do not use the same spot for each injection or help right away if you have:
inject where the skin is pitted, thickened, lumpy, tender,
bruised, scaly, hard, scarred or damaged. • A rash over your whole body
Heart failure can occur if you are taking insulin together • Trouble breathing
with certain medicines called TZDs (thiazolidinediones), • A fast heartbeat
even if you have never had heart failure or other heart
problems. If you already have heart failure, it may get • Sweating
worse while you take TZDs with Lantus. Your treatment with • Swelling of your face, tongue, or throat
TZDs and Lantus may need to be changed or stopped by • Shortness of breath
your doctor if you have new or worsening heart failure. Tell
your doctor if you have any new or worsening symptoms • Extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion
of heart failure, including: Other possible side effects may include swelling, weight
• Shortness of breath gain, low potassium levels, injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and
• Swelling of your ankles or feet allergic reactions.
• Sudden weight gain
Important Safety Information for
Tell your doctor about all the medications you take,
including OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements,
Lantus SoloStar
including herbal supplements. Lantus SoloStar is a disposable single-patient-use prefilled
insulin pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about
Lantus should be taken once a day at the same time
proper injection technique and follow instructions in the
every day. Test your blood sugar levels while using insulin,
Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
such as Lantus. Do not make any changes to your dose
Please click here for full Important Safety Information for Lantus.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for Lantus or scan QR code.