Basaglar (insulin glargine)

Basaglar (insulin glargine)

Basaglar (insulin glargine)

is levemir the same as basaglar

Basaglar can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Basaglar. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Basaglar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Basaglar, you can do so through MedWatch.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of Basaglar can include:

  • edema (swelling) in your legs, ankles, or feet
  • hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level)
  • injection site reactions (pain, redness, itchiness, or swelling around the area of your injection)
  • itchy skin
  • changes in the thickness of your skin near your injection site
  • skin rash
  • infections, such as the common cold
  • weight gain

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Basaglar aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar level)*. Symptoms can include:
    • headache
    • confusion
    • anxiety
    • drowsiness
    • hunger
    • irritable mood (being easily upset)
    • sweating
    • fast heartbeat
    • seizures
    • coma
  • Hypokalemia (low potassium level). Symptoms can include:
    • fatigue (lack of energy)
    • feeling weak
    • muscle cramps
    • abnormal heart rhythm (a heartbeat that’s too fast, too slow, or uneven)
    • respiratory failure (a condition in which your lungs can’t deliver oxygen to your blood)
    • paralysis (being unable to move certain parts of your body)
  • Severe allergic reaction, which is described in more detail below.

* Making changes to your insulin treatment plan could increase your risk for both hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level). These changes include taking your insulin differently than you usually do, starting a new insulin drug, or using a new insulin dosage. In addition, injecting your insulin into areas of skin that are thickened or pitted can also affect your blood sugar level. Be sure to talk with your doctor before making any changes to your insulin regimen.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug, or whether certain side effects pertain to it. Here’s some detail on a few of the side effects this drug may or may not cause.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Basaglar. It’s not known how often people using Basaglar have allergic reactions to the drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (warmth and redness in your skin)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing
  • sweating

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Basaglar. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Weight loss or weight gain

Weight loss wasn’t reported as a side effect of Basaglar during clinical studies. However, weight gain is one of the most common side effects caused by Basaglar.

In a clinical study, people with type 1 diabetes who took Basaglar gained up to 0.36 kg (less than 1 pound [lb]) over 6 months of treatment. They gained about 0.71 kg (1.5 lbs) over 1 year of using the drug. In another clinical study, people with type 2 diabetes who took Basaglar gained about 1.8 kg (4 lbs) over 6 months of treatment.

In fact, weight gain is a common side effect of all insulins, not just Basaglar. It’s actually a normal, healthy process because insulin helps your body store sugar. And your body uses sugar for energy at a later time. The stored sugar can add to weight gain over time.

If you’re concerned about weight gain while using Basaglar talk with your doctor. They can suggest diet and exercise tips to help you maintain a healthy weight.

Side effects in children

Side effects of Basaglar in children are similar to the drug’s side effects in adults. Two of the more common side effects seen in children are discussed below.

Runny nose

During studies, a runny nose (rhinitis) was one of the most common side effects of insulin glargine seen in children. (Insulin glargine is the active drug in Basaglar.) In a clinical study, 5% of children with type 1 diabetes who took insulin glargine had rhinitis.

If you’re caring for a child who’s using Basaglar, and you’re concerned about episodes of runny nose, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to recommend medical treatment if any is needed.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) was also a common side effect seen in children during studies. In a 26-week clinical study, 23% of children with type 1 diabetes who took a different brand of insulin glargine (not Basaglar) had episodes of severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar level).

If you care for a child who’s using Basaglar, you should be familiar with the symptoms of hypoglycemia. This will help you to recognize if the child is experiencing this condition. If they’re having an episode of hypoglycemia, you’ll want to give them some food or drink to quickly raise their blood sugar levels. By increasing their blood sugar levels right away, you can help prevent a medical emergency.

This post was last modified on December 10, 2024 1:15 pm