1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. diabetes

how to use
your lantus
solostar pen
®
®
weLcome To YoUR
LAnTUS® SoLoSTAR® pen
Starting a new routine takes getting used to.
This six-step guide will walk you through how to
use your Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen and give you
the basics you need for getting started. Visit LantusHelpTeam.com to sign up for
free online educational sessions.
Indications and Usage for Lantus®
(insulin glargine [rDnA origin] injection)
Prescription Lantus® is a long-acting insulin used
to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and
pediatric patients (children 6 years and older) with
type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It
should be taken once a day at the same time each
day to lower blood glucose.
Do not use Lantus® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
Important Safety Information
for Lantus® SoloSTAR®
Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any
of the inactive ingredients in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using
insulin, such as Lantus. Do not make any changes
to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be
made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
2
LantusSoloStar.com
GETTING STARTED
A Step by Step Guide to Using Your
Lantus® SoloSTAR® Pen
4
Getting to Know Your Pen and Its Parts
5
Choosing an Injection Site
6
How to Use Your Lantus® SoloSTAR®
Pen in 6 Easy Steps
8
Common Questions
14
Indications and Usage and
Important Safety Information for Lantus®
16
How to Dispose of Needles
18
How to Store Your Lantus® SoloSTAR® Pen
20
LantusSoloStar.com
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a step by step guide to using
your lantus® solostar® pen
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is easy to use and easy to
inject. This quick reference guide is a short version
of the instruction leaflet. It is designed to help make
it easier to learn the steps.
Reading this guide will help to make sure that
you inject the right amount of insulin every time.
Otherwise you may get too little or too much insulin,
and that can affect your blood sugar levels.
These instructions are supplied as a guide only. Read the full instruction leaflet accompanying
this pen before you use Lantus® SoloSTAR® for
the first time. To help ensure an accurate dose
each time, follow all steps in the leaflet.
If there’s anything you don’t understand
or if you have any questions, ask your
healthcare provider. You can also go online
to LantusSoloStar.com or call the
24-hour support line at 1-800-633-1610.
Important Safety Information
for Lantus® SoloSTAR®
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other
insulin or solution. It will not work as intended and
you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is
clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do not
share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.
Please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
4
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GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR PEN and its parts
The Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen was designed for ease-of-use with a simple-to-push injection button
and large dosing window.
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Outer needle
cap
Inner
needle cap
Needle
Protective
seal
Pen cap
Rubber
seal
Insulin
reservoir
Dose
window
Dose
selector
Injection
button
LantusSoloStar.com
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Choosing an injection site
The three possible injection sites are:
your abdomen,
your thighs, and
your upper
arms. These areas have more fat and fewer nerve
endings. You may feel less discomfort in these areas.
• E
ach time you inject, use a different site within
these three areas, because repeatedly injecting
in the same spot can cause discomfort.
Front
Back
View a step-by-step video on how to inject at LantusSoloStarVideo.com.
Please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
6
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Injection Areas
to avoid
When injecting in these three areas:
• Avoid the two-inch circle around the navel.
• Avoid injecting too close to the bony area above the knee.
• Avoid the forearm and only use the outer back
area of the upper arm where there is fatty tissue.
!
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• Always rotate your injection sites as
instructed by your doctor.
• Never force the needle; this can hurt and
may damage it. Too much force can also
affect how much insulin you get.
• Never inject into the muscle.
• Never rub the injection spot after
an injection.
LantusSoloStar.com
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HOW TO USE YOUR LANTUS®
SOLOSTAR® PEN in 6 easy steps
These instructions are supplied as a guide only. Read the full instruction leaflet included in this
kit before you use Lantus® SoloSTAR® for the first
time. To help ensure an accurate dose each time,
follow all steps in the leaflet.
STEP 1. Get ready
• Remove the pen cap with clean hands.
heck the reservoir to make sure the insulin is
• C
clear and colorless and has no particles—if not,
use another pen.
!
• Always store UNOPENED Lantus®
SoloSTAR® pens in the refrigerator.
• Always wash your hands with soap
and water before an injection.
• Always check the expiration date of
the pen.
• Never inject cold insulin. Wait until pen
warms up to room temperature.
Please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
8
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For a video demonstration visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com
1/14/14 8:43 PM
STEP 2. Attach the needle
• Wipe the pen tip (rubber seal) with an alcohol swab.
• R
emove the protective seal from the new needle, line
the needle up straight with the pen, and screw the
needle on.
• D
o not make the needle too tight. If you have a push-on needle, keep it straight as you push it on.
• A
fter you have attached the needle, take off the outer
needle cap and save it (you will need it to remove the
needle after your injection).
• Remove the inner needle cap and throw it away.
!
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• Always use a new needle.
• Never refrigerate the pen after opening it.
• Never play with the dial before using it;
this may prevent jamming.
For a video demonstration visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com
9
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HOW TO USE YOUR LANTUS®
SOLOSTAR® PEN in 6 easy steps (Cont’d)
STEP 3. Perform a safety test
• Dial a test dose of 2 units.
• Hold pen with the needle
pointing up and lightly tap
the insulin reservoir so the air
bubbles rise to the top of the
needle. This will help you get
the most accurate dose.
The safety test does not
waste insulin (there is a
little extra insulin in the
pen for the tests).
• Press the injection button all
the way in and check to see that insulin comes out of
the needle. The dial will automatically go back to zero
after you perform the test.
• If no insulin comes out, repeat the test 2 more times.
If there is still no insulin coming out, use a new needle
and do the safety test again. !
• Always perform the safety test before each injection.
• Never use the pen if no insulin comes
out after using a second needle.
Please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
10
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For a video demonstration visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com
1/14/14 7:48 PM
STEP 4. Select the dose
• M
ake sure the window shows “0” and then select
the dose. Otherwise you will inject more insulin than
you need and that can affect your blood sugar level.
• Dial back up or down if you dialed the wrong amount.
• C
heck if you have enough insulin in the reservoir. If
you cannot dial the dose you want it may be because
you don’t have enough insulin left.
• Y
ou cannot dial more than 80 units because the pen
has a safety stop. If your dose is more than 80 units,
you will need to redial the rest of your dose. If you
don’t have enough insulin for the rest of your dose
you will need to use a new pen.
!
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• Never force the dose selector when dialing your dose.
• Never set the dose selector to half units or the pen may jam.
For a video demonstration visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com
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HOW TO USE YOUR LANTUS®
SOLOSTAR® PEN IN 6 EASY STEPS (Cont’d)
STEP 5. INJECT YOUR DOSE
• Clean site with an alcohol swab. Please see injection
site options on page 6.
• Keep the pen straight, insert the needle into your skin.
• Using your thumb, press the injection button all the
way down and slowly count to 10 before removing.
(Counting to 10 will make sure you get your full
insulin dose.)
• Release the button and
remove the needle from
your skin.
!
• Choose a new injection spot each time.
• Take the needle from your skin if you dial
another dose.
Please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
12
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For a video demonstration visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com
1/15/14 11:06 PM
STEP 6. Remove the needle
• A
fter injecting, always remove the needle to prevent
contamination and leaking.
• P
ut the outer needle cap back on the needle and
unscrew (or pull) the needle from the pen.
• T
hrow needle away in a sharps container. For more
information on disposing needles please see page 18.
ut the pen cap back on the pen and store in a
• P
safe place at room temperature.
!
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Never share your needle or pen with another person.
For a video demonstration visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com
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Common Questions
For additional information go
to LantusSoloStar.com.
Why must I always wash my hands before using
the Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen?
Many bacteria live on the surfaces of your
hands. Bacteria can cause infection if they
get into the skin. Washing your hands before
injecting yourself will greatly reduce the chance
of your getting an infection.
Does using the Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen hurt?
The pen uses a small and very thin needle. The
insulin is injected into the fatty layers just under
your skin where there are fewer nerve endings than in other places.
Do I need to use a new pen each time I give
myself an injection?
No, you do not need to use a new pen each
time. Each Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen contains 300
units of insulin. Use the same pen until there is
no more insulin left. The pen can be used for 28
days once you open it and start to use it.
Can I use the same needle more than one time?
No, always attach a new, sterile needle. Using
the same needle may cause contamination, air
bubbles, or spread infection.
Please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
14
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What do I do if my Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen jams?
You can call a Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen expert
at the 24-hour hotline 1-800-633-1610 and
leave a message. You will be called back. In the
meantime, use another pen to inject your insulin.
What do I do if there’s not enough insulin in
the pen?
You can use another pen to finish your dose.
Remember, the pen will not let you dial more
than the number of insulin units left in the pen.
You must always use a new needle.
What should I do with the pen if I have been
using it for 28 days?
You should throw the pen away if you have
opened it and have been using it for 28 days,
even if there is still insulin left in the pen.
Does the 28-day limit for using the pen also
apply to unopened pens?
Unopened pens can be stored at room
temperature for up to 28 days and should be
discarded after that. If unopened pens are
kept refrigerated they may be used until their
expiration date.
How do I take care of my Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen?
Protect your pen from dust and dirt. Clean the
outside of the pen with a damp cloth. Do not run
it under water or use any soap or other cleansers.
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LantusSoloStar.com
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INDICATIONS AND USAGE AND IMPORTANT
SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LANTUS®
Indications and Usage for Lantus®
(insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)
®
Prescription Lantus is a long-acting insulin used
to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and
pediatric patients (children 6 years and older) with
type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It
should be taken once a day at the same time each
day to lower blood glucose.
®
Do not use Lantus to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
Important Safety Information for Lantus®
(insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)
®
Do not take Lantus if you are allergic to insulin or any
®
of the inactive ingredients in Lantus .
You must test your blood sugar levels while using
®
insulin, such as Lantus . Do not make any changes
to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be
made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
®
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus with any other
insulin or solution. It will not work as intended and
you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
®
serious. Lantus must only be used if the solution
is clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do
not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with
others.
Please see inside pocket for full Prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
16
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Important Safety Information for Lantus®
(insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) (cont’d)
Tell your doctor about other medicines, especially
ones commonly called TZDs (thiazolidinediones),
and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting
®
Lantus , tell your doctor about all your medical
conditions including if you have heart failure or
other heart problems, liver or kidney problems, are
pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. If you have
heart failure, it may get worse while you take TZDs
®
with Lantus .
The most common side effect of insulin, including
®
Lantus , is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which
may be serious. Some people may experience
symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat,
and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia may be
serious and life threatening. It may cause harm to
your heart or brain. Other possible side effects may
include swelling, weight gain, injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site,
and allergic reactions, including itching and rash.
In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life
threatening.
®
®
Lantus SoloSTAR is a disposable prefilled insulin
pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about
proper injection technique and follow instructions in
the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
LantusSoloStar.com
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how to dispose of needlEs
Place used needles in sharps containers,
which you can buy at your local drugstore.
If a sharps container isn’t available,
use a strong plastic bottle that cannot be
punctured, such as a bleach or laundry
detergent bottle. Make sure the cap is on
tight. When you’re ready to dispose of the
bottle, put tape over the cap and be sure
to write “SHARPS” on the bottle.
Take your sharps container to appropriate
collection sites that may include doctors’
offices, hospitals, pharmacies, health
departments, fire stations, or other
locations.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s
Safe Community Needle Disposal
website.
Don’t flush used sharps down the toilet
or drop them into a sewer drain.
Don’t put used sharps in soda cans,
milk cartons, glass bottles, coffee cans, or
containers that can be broken or punctured.
!
18
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lways discard the pen with the pen cap
A
on. You can discard the pen in regular trash.
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The Lantus® SoloSTAR® insulin pen can be used with
the BD Ultra-Fine™ pen needles*.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe Ultra-Fine™
pen needles. They come in the following sizes:
•
4 mm (5/32”)
32G Nano
NDC/HRI No. 08290-3201-22
•
5 mm (3/16”)
31G Mini
NDC/HRI No. 08290-3201-19
•
8 mm (5/16”)
31G Short
NDC/HRI No. 08290-3201-09
*Ultra-Fine is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
19
how To SToRe YoUR
UnopeneD LAnTUS®
SoLoSTAR® pen
Before opening, store Lantus® in the
refrigerator (36°F – 46°F). Keep pens
in their outer package.
Lantus® can be refrigerated until the
expiration date. Once the expiration
date has passed, Lantus® should be
thrown away.
Before you inject Lantus®, remove it from
the refrigerator for an hour or two—cold
insulin can be more painful to inject.
Do not allow Lantus® to freeze. Do not put
it in a freezer or next to a freezer pack. If
you see frost or ice crystals in your Lantus®
solution, throw it away.
Keep Lantus® away from direct heat
and light.
please see pages 16 and 17 for full Important Safety
Information and inside pocket for full prescribing
Information for Lantus®.
LantusSoloStar.com
20
how To SToRe YoUR
openeD LAnTUS®
SoLoSTAR® pen
After its first use, don’t refrigerate the
Lantus® SoloSTAR® pen. Keep it at
room temperature only (below 86°F).
After 28 days, throw your opened Lantus®
away—even if it still has insulin in it.
Keep Lantus® away from direct heat
and light.
Don’t leave Lantus® in a hot car in
direct sun, or in a freezing car overnight.
If Lantus® gets too hot or freezes, it will
have to be thrown away.
21
For a free video demonstration
visit LantusSoloStarVideo.com.
Call the 24-hour helpline 1-800-633-1610
to talk to a Lantus® SoloSTAR® expert.
Lantus® Connection™ is your source
for real stories, real information and real
support. Visit LantusConnection.com
or call 1-888-834-7229 to learn more.
© 2014 Sanofi US
US.GLA.14.05.025