Lantus 100 Units/ml solution for injection in a vial

Lantus 100 Units/ml solution for injection in a cartridge

Lantus 100 Units/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen

Each ml contains 100 Units insulin glargine (equivalent to 3.64 mg).

Each vial contains 10 ml of solution for injection, equivalent to 1000 Units.

Each cartridge contains 3 ml of solution for injection, equivalent to 300 Units.

Each OptiSet pen contains 3 ml of solution for injection, equivalent to 300 Units.

Insulin glargine is produced by recombinant DNA technology in Escherichia coli.

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Solution for injection in a vial, cartridge or pre-filled pen (OptiSet).

Clear colourless solution.

For the treatment of adults, adolescents and children of 6 years or above with diabetes mellitus, where treatment with insulin is required.

The potency of this preparation is stated in units. These units are exclusive to Lantus and are not the same as IU or the units used to express the potency of other insulin analogues. See section 5.1 (Pharmacodynamics).

Lantus contains insulin glargine an insulin analogue with a prolonged duration of action. It should be administered once daily at any time but at the same time each day.

OptiSet delivers insulin in increments of 2 Units up to a maximum single dose of 40 Units.

The dosage and timing of dose of Lantus should be individually adjusted. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Lantus can also be given together with orally active antidiabetic medicinal products.

Children

In children efficacy and safety of Lantus have only been demonstrated when given in the evening.

Due to limited experience the efficacy and safety of Lantus have not been demonstrated in children below the age of 6 years.

Transition from other insulins to Lantus

When changing from a treatment regimen with an intermediate or long-acting insulin to a regimen with Lantus, a change of the dose of the basal insulin may be required and the concomitant antidiabetic treatment may need to be adjusted (dose and timing of additional regular insulins or fast-acting insulin analogues or the dose of oral antidiabetic agents).

To reduce the risk of nocturnal and early morning hypoglycaemia, patients who are changing their basal insulin regimen from a twice daily NPH insulin to a once daily regimen with Lantus should reduce their daily dose of basal insulin by 20-30% during the first weeks of treatment. During the first weeks the reduction should, at least partially, be compensated by an increase in mealtime insulin, after this period the regimen should be adjusted individually.

As with other insulin analogues, patients with high insulin doses because of antibodies to human insulin may experience an improved insulin response with Lantus.

Close metabolic monitoring is recommended during the transition and in the initial weeks thereafter.

With improved metabolic control and resulting increase in insulin sensitivity a further adjustment in dosage regimen may become necessary. Dose adjustment may also be required, for example, if the patient's weight or life-style changes, change of timing of insulin dose or other circumstances arise that increase susceptibility to hypo-or hyperglycaemia (see section 4.4).

Administration

Lantus is administered subcutaneously.

Lantus should not be administered intravenously. The prolonged duration of action of Lantus is dependent on its injection into subcutaneous tissue. Intravenous administration of the usual subcutaneous dose could result in severe hypoglycaemia.

There are no clinically relevant differences in serum insulin or glucose levels after abdominal, deltoid or thigh administration of Lantus. Injection sites must be rotated within a given injection area from one injection to the next.

Lantus must not be mixed with any other insulin or diluted. Mixing or diluting can change its time/action profile and mixing can cause precipitation.

For further details on handling, see section 6.6. Before using OptiSet, the Instructions for Use included in the Package Leaflet must be read carefully (see section 6.6)

Due to limited experience the efficacy and safety of Lantus could not be assessed in the following groups of patients: patients with impaired liver function or patients with moderate/severe renal impairment (see section 4.4).

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Lantus is not the insulin of choice for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Instead, regular insulin administered intravenously is recommended in such cases.

Safety and efficacy of Lantus have been established in adolescents and children of 6 years and above.

Due to limited experience the efficacy and safety of Lantus could not be assessed in children below 6 years of age, in patients with impaired liver function or in patients with moderate/severe renal impairment (see section 4.2).

In patients with renal impairment, insulin requirements may be diminished due to reduced insulin metabolism. In the elderly, progressive deterioration of renal function may lead to a steady decrease in insulin requirements.

In patients with severe hepatic impairment, insulin requirements may be diminished due to reduced capacity for gluconeogenes is and reduced insulin metabolism.

In case of insufficient glucose control or a tendency to hyper- or hypoglycaemic episodes, the patient's adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen, injection sites and proper injection technique and all other relevant factors must be reviewed before dose adjustment is considered.

Switching a patient to another type or brand of insulin should be done under strict medical supervision and may require change in dose.

Insulin administration may cause insulin antibodies to form. In rare cases, the presence of such insulin antibodies may necessitate adjustment of the insulin dose in order to correct a tendency to hyper- or hypoglycaemia. (See section 4.8)

Hypoglycaemia

The time of occurrence of hypoglycaemia depends on the action profile of the insulins used and may, therefore, change when the treatment regimen is changed. Due to more sustained basal insulin supply with Lantus, less nocturnal but more early morning hypoglycaemia can be expected.

Particular caution should be exercised, and intensified blood glucose monitoring is advisable in patients in whom hypoglycaemic episodes might be of particular clinical relevance, such as in patients with significant stenoses of the coronary arteries or of the blood vessels supplying the brain (risk of cardiac or cerebral complications of hypoglycaemia) as well as in patients with proliferative retinopathy, particularly if not treated with photocoagulation (risk of transient amaurosis following hypoglycaemia).

Patients should be aware of circumstances where warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia are diminished. The warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia may be changed, be less pronounced or be absent in certain risk groups. These include patients:

- in whom glycaemic control is markedly improved,

- in whom hypoglycaemia develops gradually,

- who are elderly,

- after transfer from animal insulin to human insulin,

- in whom an autonomic neuropathy is present,

- with a long history of diabetes,

- suffering from a psychiatric illness,

- receiving concurrent treatment with certain other medicinal products (see section 4.5).

Such situations may result in severe hypoglycaemia (and possibly loss of consciousness) prior to the patient's awareness of hypoglycaemia.

The prolonged effect of subcutaneous insulin glargine may delay recovery from hypoglycaemia.

If normal or decreased values for glycated haemoglobin are noted, the possibility of recurrent, unrecognised (especially nocturnal) episodes of hypoglycaemia must be considered.

Adherence of the patient to the dosage and dietary regimen, correct insulin administration and awareness of hypoglycaemia symptoms are essential to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia. Factors increasing the susceptibility to hypoglycaemia require particularly close monitoring and may necessitate dose adjustment. These include:

- change in the injection area,

- improved insulin sensitivity (by, e.g., removal of stress factors),

- unaccustomed, increased or prolonged physical activity,

- intercurrent illness (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea),

- inadequate food intake,

- missed meals,

- alcohol consumption,

- certain uncompensated endocrine disorders, (e.g. in hypothyroidism and in anterior pituitary or adrenocortical insufficiency),

- concomitant treatment with certain other medicinal products.

Intercurrent illness

Intercurrent illness requires intensified metabolic monitoring. In many cases urine tests for ketones are indicated, and often it is necessary to adjust the insulin dose. The insulin requirement is often increased. Patients with type 1 diabetes must continue to consume at least a small amount of carbohydrates on a regular basis, even if they are able to eat only little or no food, or are vomiting etc. and they must never omit insulin entirely.

Handling of the pen

Before using OptiSet, the Instructions for Use included in the Package Leaflet must be read carefully. OptiSet has to be used as recommended in these Instructions for Use (see section 6.6).

A number of substances affect glucose metabolism and may require dose adjustment of insulin glargine.

Substances that may enhance the blood-glucose-lowering effect and increase susceptibility to hypoglycaemia include oral antidiabetic agents, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, pentoxifylline, propoxyphene, salicylates and sulfonamide antibiotics.

Substances that may reduce the blood-glucose-lowering effect include corticosteroids, danazol, diazoxide, diuretics, glucagon, isoniazid, oestrogens and progestogens, phenothiazine derivatives, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g. epinephrine [adrenaline], salbutamol, terbutaline), thyroid hormones, atypical antipsychotic medicinal products (e.g. clozapine and olanzapine) and protease inhibitors.

Beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts or alcohol may either potentiate or weaken the blood-glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Pentamidine may cause hypoglycaemia, which may sometimes be followed by hyperglycaemia.

In addition, under the influence of sympatholytic medicinal products such as beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine and reserpine, the signs of adrenergic counter-regulation may be reduced or absent.

Pregnancy

For insulin glargine no clinical data on exposed pregnancies from controlled clinical trials are available. A limited number of exposed pregnancies from Post Marketing Surveillance indicate no adverse effects of insulin glargine on pregnancy or on the health of the foetus and newborn child. To date, no other relevant epidemiological data are available.

Animal studies do not indicate direct harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal /foetal development, parturition or postnatal development (see section 5.3).

The available clinical data is insufficient to exclude a risk. The use of Lantus may be considered in pregnancy, if necessary.

It is essential for patients with pre-existing or gestational diabetes to maintain good metabolic control throughout pregnancy. Insulin requirements may decrease during the first trimester and generally increase during the second and third trimesters. Immediately after delivery, insulin requirements decline rapidly (increased risk of hypoglycaemia). Careful monitoring of glucose control is essential.

Lactation

Lactating women may require adjustments in insulin dose and diet.

The patient's ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia or, for example, as a result of visual impairment. This may constitute a risk in situations where these abilities are of special importance (e.g. driving a car or operating machinery).

Patients should be advised to take precautions to avoid hypoglycaemia whilst driving. This is particularly important in those who have reduced or absent awareness of the warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia or have frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia. It should be considered whether it is advisable to drive or operate machinery in these circumstances.

Hypoglycaemia, in general the most frequent undesirable effect of insulin therapy, may occur if the insulin dose is too high in relation to the insulin requirement.

The following related adverse reactions from clinical investigations were listed below by system organ class and in order of decreasing incidence (very common: 1/10; common: 1/100 to <1/10; uncommon: 1/1,000 to < 1/100; rare: 1/10,000 to <1/1,000; very rare: < 1/10,000).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Very common: Hypoglycaemia

Severe hypoglycaemic attacks, especially if recurrent, may lead to neurological damage. Prolonged or severe hypoglycaemic episodes may be life-threatening.

In many patients, the signs and symptoms of neuroglycopenia are preceded by signs of adrenergic counter-regulation. Generally, the greater and more rapid the decline in blood glucose, the more marked is the phenomenon of counter-regulation and its symptoms.

Immune system disorders

Rare: Allergic reaction

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

Insulin administration may cause insulin antibodies to form. In clinical studies, antibodies that cross-react with human insulin and insulin glargine were observed with the same frequency in both NPH-insulin and insulin glargine treatment groups. In rare cases, the presence of such insulin antibodies may necessitate adjustment of the insulin dose in order to correct a tendency to hyper- or hypoglycaemia.

Nervous system disorders

Very rare: Dysgeusia

Eyes disorders

Rare: Visual impairment

A marked change in glycaemic control may cause temporary visual impairment, due to temporary alteration in the turgidity and refractive index of the lens.

Rare: Retinopathy

Long-term improved glycaemic control decreases the risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy. However, intensification of insulin therapy with abrupt improvement in glycaemic control may be associated with temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy. In patients with proliferative retinopathy, particularly if not treated with photocoagulation, severe hypoglycaemic episodes may result in transient amaurosis.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

As with any insulin therapy, lipodystrophy may occur at the injection site and delay local insulin absorption. Continuous rotation of the injection site within the given injection area may help to reduce or prevent these reactions.

Common: Lipohypertrophy

Uncommon: Lipoatrophy

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Very rare: Myalgia

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common: Injection site reactions

Such reactions include redness, pain, itching, hives, swelling, or inflammation. Most minor reactions to insulins at the injection site usually resolve in a few days to a few weeks.

Rare: Oedema

Rarely, insulin may cause sodium retention and oedema particularly if previously poor metabolic control is improved by intensified insulin therapy.

Paediatric population

In general, the safety profile for patients 18 years of age is similar to the safety profile for patients > 18 years.

The adverse event reports received from Post Marketing Surveillance included relatively more frequent injection site reactions (injection site pain, injection site reaction) and skin reactions (rash, urticaria) in patients 18 years of age than in patients > 18 years.

No clinical study safety data are available in patients below 6 years of age.

Symptoms

Insulin overdose may lead to severe and sometimes long-term and life-threatening hypoglycaemia.

Management

Mild episodes of hypoglycaemia can usually be treated with oral carbohydrates. Adjustments in dosage of the medicinal product, meal patterns, or physical activity may be needed.

More severe episodes with coma, seizure, or neurologic impairment may be treated with intramuscular/subcutaneous glucagon or concentrated intravenous glucose. Sustained carbohydrate intake and observation may be necessary because hypoglycaemia may recur after apparent clinical recovery.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antidiabetic agent. Insulins and analogues for injection, long-acting. ATC Code: A10A E04.

Insulin glargine is a human insulin analogue designed to have a low solubility at neutral pH. It is completely soluble at the acidic pH of the Lantus injection solution (pH 4). After injection into the subcutaneous tissue, the acidic solution is neutralised leading to formation of micro-precipitates from which small amounts of insulin glargine are continuously released, providing a smooth, peakless, predictable concentration/time profile with a prolonged duration of action.

Insulin receptor binding: Insulin glargine is very similar to human insulin with respect to insulin receptor binding kinetics. It can, therefore, be considered to mediate the same type of effect via the insulin receptor as insulin.

The primary activity of insulin, including insulin glargine, is regulation of glucose metabolism. Insulin and its analogues lower blood glucose levels by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat, and by inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Insulin inhibits lipolysis in the adipocyte, inhibits proteolysis and enhances protein synthesis.

In clinical pharmacology studies, intravenous insulin glargine and human insulin have been shown to be equipotent when given at the same doses. As with all insulins, the time course of action of insulin glargine may be affected by physical activity and other variables.

In euglycaemic clamp studies in healthy subjects or in patients with type 1 diabetes, the onset of action of subcutaneous insulin glargine was slower than with human NPH insulin, its effect profile was smooth and peakless, and the duration of its effect was prolonged.

The following graph shows the results from a study in patients:

*determined as amount of glucose infused to maintain constant plasma glucose levels (hourly mean values)

The longer duration of action of insulin glargine is directly related to its slower rate of absorption and supports once daily administration. The time course of action of insulin and insulin analogues such as insulin glargine may vary considerably in different individuals or within the same individual.

In a clinical study, symptoms of hypoglycaemia or counter-regulatory hormone responses were similar after intravenous insulin glargine and human insulin both in healthy volunteers and patients with type 1 diabetes.

Effects of Lantus (once daily) on diabetic retinopathy were evaluated in an open-label 5-year NPH-controlled study (NPH given bid) in 1024 type 2 diabetic patients in which progression of retinopathy by 3 or more steps on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale was investigated by fundus photography. No significant difference was seen in the progression of diabetic retinopathy when Lantus was compared to NPH insulin.

In healthy subjects and diabetic patients, insulin serum concentrations indicated a slower and much more prolonged absorption and showed a lack of a peak after subcutaneous injection of insulin glargine in comparison to human NPH insulin. Concentrations were thus consistent with the time profile of the pharmacodynamic activity of insulin glargine. The graph above shows the activity profiles over time of insulin glargine and NPH insulin.

Insulin glargine injected once daily will reach steady state levels in 2-4 days after the first dose.

When given intravenously the elimination half-life of insulin glargine and human insulin were comparable.

In man, insulin glargine is partly degraded in the subcutaneous tissue at the carboxyl terminus of the Beta chain with formation of the active metabolites 21^AGly-insulin and 21^AGly-des-30^BThr-insulin. Unchanged insulin glargine and degradation products are also present in the plasma.

In clinical studies, subgroup analyses based on age and gender did not indicate any difference in safety and efficacy in insulin glargine-treated patients compared to the entire study population.

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction.

10 ml vials:

Zinc chloride

mcresol

glycerol

hydrochloric acid

Polysorbate 20

sodium hydroxide

water for injections

Cartridges or OptiSet pens:

Zinc chloride

mcresol

glycerol

hydrochloric acid

sodium hydroxide

water for injections.

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products. It is important to ensure that syringes do not contain traces of any other material.

Vials: 2 years.

Shelf-life after first use of the vial: The product may be stored for a maximum of 4 weeks not above 25°C away from direct heat or direct light. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

It is recommended that the date of the first use from the vial be noted on the label.

Cartridges or OptiSet Pens: 3 years.

Shelf life after first use of the cartridge: The product may be stored for a maximum of 4 weeks not above 25°C away from direct heat or direct light. The pen containing a cartridge or the OptiSet pens in use must not be stored in the refrigerator.

The pen cap must be put back on the pen after each injection in order to protect from light.

Unopened vials, cartridges and OptiSet pens

Store in a refrigerator (2°C-8°C).

Do not freeze.

Do not put Lantus next to the freezer compartment or a freezer pack.

Keep in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Opened vials, catridges and OptiSet pen

For storage precautions, see section 6.3.

Vial:

10 ml solution in a vial (type 1 colourless glass) with a flanged cap (aluminium), (type 1, laminate of polyisoprene and bromobutyl rubber) a stopper and atear-off cap (polypropylene). Packs of 1 vial are available.

Cartridge:

3 ml solution in a cartridge (type 1 colourless glass) with a black plunger (bromobutyl rubber) and a flanged cap (aluminium) with a stopper (bromobutyl or laminate of polyisoprene and bromobutyl rubber). Packs of 5 cartridges are available.

OptiSet:

3 ml solution in a cartridge (type 1 colourless glass) with a black plunger (bromobutyl rubber) and a flanged cap (aluminium) with a stopper (bromobutyl or laminate of polyisoprene and bromobutyl rubber). The cartridge is sealed in a disposable pen injector. Needles are not included in the pack.

Packs of 5 pens are available.

Vial:

Inspect the vial before use. It must only be used if the solution is clear, colourless, with no solid particles visible, and if it is of water-like consistency. Since Lantus is a solution, it does not require resuspension before use.

Insulin pen

The cartridges are to be used in conjunction with an insulin pen such as OptiPen and other pens suitable for Lantus cartridges, and as recommended in the information provided by the device manufacturer.

The manufacturer's instructions for using the pen must be followed carefully for loading the cartridge, attaching the needle, and administering the insulin injection.

If the insulin pen is damaged or not working properly (due to mechanical defects) it has to be discarded, and a new insulin pen has to be used.

If the pen malfunctions (see instructions for using the pen), the solution may be drawn from the cartridge into a syringe (suitable for an insulin with 100 Units/ml) and injected.

Cartridge

Before insertion into the pen, the cartridge must be stored at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.

Inspect the cartridge before use. It must only be used if the solution is clear, colourless, with no solid particles visible, and if it is of water-like consistency. Since Lantus is a solution, it does not require resuspension before use.

Air bubbles must be removed from the cartridge before injection (see instructions for using the pen). Empty cartridges must not be refilled.

OptiSet

Before first use, the pen must be stored at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.

Inspect the cartridge before use. It must only be used if the solution is clear, colourless, with no solid particles visible, and if it is of water-like consistency. Since Lantus is a solution, it does not require resuspension before use.

Empty pens must never be reused and must be properly discarded.

To prevent the possible transmission of disease, each pen must be used by one patient only.

Handling of the pen

The Instructions for Use included in the Package Leaflet must be read carefully before using OptiSet.

Schematic diagram of the pen

Important information for use of OptiSet:

• Always attach a new needle before each use. Only use needles that are compatible for use with OptiSet.

• Always perform the safety test before each injection.

• If a new OptiSet is used the initial safety test must be done with the 8 units preset by the manufacturer.

• The dosage selector can only be turned in one direction.

• Never turn the dosage selector (change the dose) after injection button has been pulled out.

• This pen is only for the patients use. It must not be shared with anyone else.

• If the injection is given by another person, special caution must be taken by this person to avoid accidental needle injury and transmission of infection.

• Never use OptiSet if it is damaged or if you are not sure that it is working properly.

• Always have a spare OptiSet in case your OptiSet is lost or damaged.

Storage Instructions

Please check section 6.4 of this leaflet for instructions on how to store OptiSet.

If OptiSet is in cool storage, it should be taken out 1 to 2 hours before injection to allow it to warm up. Cold insulin is more painful to inject.

The used OptiSet must be discarded as required by your local authorities.

Maintenance

OptiSet has to be protected from dust and dirt.

You can clean the outside of your OptiSet by wiping it with a damp cloth.

Do not soak, wash or lubricate the pen as this may damage it.

OptiSet is designed to work accurately and safely. It should be handled with care. Avoid situations where OptiSet might be damaged. If you are concerned that your OptiSet may be damaged, use a new one.

Step 1. Check the Insulin

After removing the pen cap, the label on the pen and the insulin reservoir should be checked to make sure it contains the correct insulin. The appearance of insulin should also be checked: the insulin solution must be clear, colourless, with no solid particles visible, and must have a water-like consistency. Do not use this OptiSet if the insulin is cloudy, coloured or has particles.

Step 2. Attach the needle

The needle should be carefully attached straight onto the pen.

Step 3. Perform a safety test

Prior to each injection a safety test has to be performed.

For a new and unused OptiSet, a dose of 8 units is already preset by the manufacturer for the first safety test.

In-use OptiSet, select a dose of 2 units by turning the dosage selector forward till the dose arrow points to 2. The dosage selector will only turn in one direction.

Pull out the injection button completely in order to load the dose. Never turn the dosage selector after injection button has been pulled out.

The outer and inner needle caps should be removed. Keep the outer cap to remove the used needle.

While holding the pen with the needle pointing upwards, the insulin reservoir should be tapped with the finger so that any air bubbles rise up towards the needle.

Then the injection button should be pressed all the way in.

If insulin has been expelled through the needle tip, then the pen and the needle are working properly.

If no insulin appears at the needle tip, step 3 should be repeated two more times until insulin appears at the needle tip. If still no insulin comes out, change the needle, as it might be blocked and try again. If no insulin comes out after changing the needle, the OptiSet may be damaged. Do not use this OptiSet.

Step 4. Select the dose

The dose can be set in steps of 2 units, from a minimum of 2 units to a maximum of 40 units. If a dose greater than 40 units is required, it should be given as two or more injections.

Check if you have enough insulin for the dose.

The residual insulin scale on the transparent insulin reservoir shows approximately how much insulin remains in the OptiSet. This scale must not be used to set the insulin dose.

If the black plunger is at the beginning of the coloured bar, then there are approximately 40 units of insulin available.

If the black plunger is at the end of the coloured bar, then there are approximately 20 units of insulin available.

The dosage selector should be turned forward until the dose arrow points to the required dose.

Step 5. Load the dose

The injection button should be pulled out as far as it will go in order to load the pen.

Check if the selected dose is fully loaded. Note that the injection button only goes out as far as the amount of insulin that is left in the reservoir.

The injection button allows checking the actual loaded dose. The injection button must be held out under tension during this check. The last thick line visible on the injection button shows the amount of insulin loaded. When the injection button is held out only the top part of this thick line can be seen.

Step 6. Inject the dose

The patient should be informed on the injection technique by his health care professional.

The needle should be inserted into the skin.

The injection button should be pressed all the way in . A clicking sound can be heard, which will stop when the injection button has been pressed.in completely. Then the injection button should be held down 10 seconds before withdrawing the needle from the skin. This ensures that the full dose of insulin has been delivered.

Step 7. Remove and discard the needle

The needle should be removed after each injection and discarded. This helps prevent contamination and/or infection as well as entry of air into the insulin reservoir and leakage of insulin, which can cause inaccurate dosing. Needles must not be reused.

The pen cap should be replaced on the pen.

Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, D65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

EU/1/00/134/012 Lantus 100 U/ml solution for injection in a 10 ml vial (1 vial/pack)

EU/1/00/134/006 Lantus 100 U/ml solution for injection in a cartridge (5 cartridges/pack)

EU/1/00/134/010 Lantus 100 U/ml OptiSet solution for injection (5 pens/pack)

Date of first authorisation: 9 June 2000

Date of latest renewal: 9 June 2005

17 September 2008

Legal category: POM