glargine insulin
Insulin glargine products are used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Insulin glargine products are also used to treat people with type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) who need insulin to control their diabetes. In people with type 1 diabetes, insulin glargine products must be used with another type of insulin (a short-acting insulin). In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin glargine products also may be used with another type of insulin or with oral medication(s) for diabetes. Insulin glargine is a long-acting, synthetic version of human insulin. Insulin glargine products work by replacing the insulin that is normally produced by the body and by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar. Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Using medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions about medication use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking glargine insulin affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
According to the MotherToBaby fact sheet, taking insulin glargine is not expected to make it harder to get pregnant. As always, any specific concerns about fertility should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking glargine insulin increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. The fact sheet notes that in over 800 reports of people taking insulin glargine during pregnancy, an increased chance of miscarriage was not reported. Your healthcare provider can help you understand what this means for your individual situation.
Does taking glargine insulin increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts with a 3-5% background risk of birth defects. According to the fact sheet, in over 800 reports of people taking insulin glargine throughout pregnancy, no increase in birth defects was reported, and studies comparing it to other diabetes medications also did not report an increased risk above the background. Decisions about diabetes treatment in pregnancy should be made together with your healthcare provider.
Can taking glargine insulin during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
The fact sheet states it is unclear whether insulin glargine can increase the chance of problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. One study found that babies were reported as small for gestational age more often compared with those exposed to human-made insulin, though this was not increased when compared to any insulin used for type 1 diabetes overall. Because poorly controlled diabetes itself raises the chance of complications, ongoing care with your healthcare provider is important.
Can taking glargine insulin during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
According to the fact sheet, studies have not been done to see if insulin glargine can cause behavior or learning issues for the child. Any questions about long-term effects on a child are best discussed with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking glargine insulin?
The fact sheet notes that insulin glargine is a normal part of breastmilk and using it while breastfeeding is not expected to cause problems for the breastfed infant. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any breastfeeding questions specific to your situation.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
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