Unlike short-acting insulins, long-acting insulins help maintain blood sugar levels consistently over the course of an entire day. This function mirrors the body’s natural insulin production, which aids in managing blood sugar levels during meals.
Long-acting insulins are often referred to as basal or background insulins. This is because they operate steadily “in the background” to help regulate your blood sugar throughout the day.
There are currently several brands of long-acting insulins available:
- Insulin glargine (Lantus): lasts up to 24 hours
- Insulin detemir (Levemir): lasts 18 to 23 hours
- Insulin glargine (Toujeo): lasts more than 24 hours
- Insulin degludec (Tresiba): lasts up to 42 hours
- Insulin glargine (Basaglar): lasts up to 24 hours
Important Note: Although Lantus and Toujeo are both forms of insulin glargine made by the same manufacturer, you may need to adjust your dosage slightly. The difference in their formula concentrations can affect how they manage blood sugar.
How to Administer Long-Acting Insulin
To maintain stable blood sugar levels, long-acting insulin is generally injected once a day. You can administer the injection with a needle or an insulin pen. It’s crucial to adhere to a consistent schedule each day for your long-acting insulin injections.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest using short-acting insulin before meals to prevent spikes in blood sugar after eating. If you switch brands of long-acting insulin, you may require a different dosage. Always consult your doctor if you need to change the brand of your insulin.
Potential Side Effects
Like any medication, long-acting insulin can have side effects. Here are some possible side effects to be aware of:
- dizziness
- chills
- blurred vision
- weakness
- headache
- fainting
Additionally, you may experience side effects at the injection site, such as:
- pain
- redness
- swelling