What it means
A basal insulinIN-suh-linA hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.Full entry : it is absorbed slowly and evenly, with no marked peak, to cover the body's needs between meals and overnight. It is clear in the vial or pen but must not be mixed with any other insulin. It is used in type 1 diabetes together with mealtime insulin and often alone in type 2 diabetestipe too dy-uh-BEE-teezA form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.Full entry .
For the nurse
Give it at the same time every day by subcutaneous (SUBQ) injection, and never draw it up in the same syringe as another insulin. Do not give it IV. It is usually still given when the client is not eating, but check the order, the blood glucose and facility policy. Low blood glucose can still happen, especially at night.
In a chart
"Insulin glargine 20 units SUBQ given at 2100; bedtime glucose 142 mg/dL."
Remember it
Glargine is "large" and long: one dose covers the whole day.
At a glance
| Drug class | long-acting insulin |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo, Semglee |
| Spanish | insulina glargina |
| Also written | Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo |
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
insulin lispro
A rapid-acting insulin given just before or right after a meal to handle the rise in blood glucose from eating.
NPH insulin
An intermediate-acting, cloudy insulin, usually given once or twice a day.