Home Drug Guide Insulin Glargine-yfgn

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Insulin Glargine-yfgn

Brand Names Semglee

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic agent

Pharmacological: Long-acting insulin analog

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of diabetes mellitus in adults and children requiring basal insulin

Mechanism of Action

Insulin glargine-yfgn is a long-acting insulin analog that binds to insulin receptors, promoting glucose uptake in muscles and fat tissue, and inhibiting hepatic glucose production, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosage individualized based on patient needs; typically administered once daily subcutaneously at the same time each day.

Pediatric: Dosage individualized based on patient needs; administered once daily subcutaneously, with careful monitoring.

Geriatric: Dose adjustments based on glycemic response; increased caution due to potential hypoglycemia.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose as needed; monitor closely due to altered insulin requirements.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific adjustment but monitor blood glucose levels.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Slow, steady absorption after subcutaneous administration.

Distribution: Minimal binding to plasma proteins.

Metabolism: Metabolized by insulin-degrading enzymes.

Excretion: Excreted primarily in urine as metabolites.

Half Life: Approximate half-life of 12 hours, providing a flat, basal insulin level.

Contraindications

  • Hypoglycemia
  • Allergy to insulin glargine or excipients

Precautions

  • Monitor for hypoglycemia, especially during dose adjustments.
  • Use caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.
  • Monitor for lipohypertrophy at injection sites.
  • Adjust doses in response to changing clinical conditions.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Hypoglycemia (Common)
  • Injection site reactions (erythema, redness, swelling) (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Severe hypoglycemia (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Corticosteroids, diuretics, thiazides - may increase blood glucose levels; hypoglycemia with other antidiabetics.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose levels regularly, especially during dose changes.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for unstable blood glucose levels
  • Knowledge deficit related to insulin use

Implementation: Administer subcutaneously once daily at the same time each day. Rotate injection sites.

Evaluation: Assess for signs of hypo- and hyperglycemia; evaluate blood glucose control.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct on proper injection technique and site rotation.
  • Educate on recognizing signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
  • Advise on maintaining a consistent meal schedule and carbohydrate intake.
  • Inform about the importance of regular blood glucose monitoring.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease if used in high doses.

Genetic Factors: None specific.

Lab Test Interference: May affect blood glucose monitoring results depending on the method used.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Hypoglycemia: sweating, trembling, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness.

Treatment: Immediate ingestion of fast-acting carbohydrate (glucose tablets or gel), or glucagon injection if unconscious. Follow-up with complex carbohydrates and protein once stabilized.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store unopened vials in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F/2°C to 8°C). Once in use, vials can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F/30°C) for up to 28 days.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions as per manufacturer’s instructions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.