Insulin glargine and Rash: What Users Say

• Bar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "My insurance forced the switch from Lantus, which I have been taking for years, to Basaglar. I started to develop skin sensitivity, rash, and my sugar became hard to control. I also started having heart and breathing problems. The Basaglar also seems to deliver its payload rapidly several hours after injection, causing hard to control highs and lows. I was able to get a card from Sanofi for discounted Lantus. Things are improving, but I feel I have a ways to go to undo the damage done by the Basaglar."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2023

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Was switched from Lantus to Semglee. Severe rash, itching all over body. Injection sites burn with rash and sores. I hate this stuff. Take it off the shelves. Going back to Lantus. Insurance companies should be held liable for making people change to this junk."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2018

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I've been on Basaglar for exactly 1 week now. Before I was taking Toujeo. In this one week alone, I've been hospitalized for DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), and now I am experiencing facial swelling and hives. Yesterday I woke up with my blood sugar (BS) at 114 and decided to fast for most of the day to see if that would help keep me stable. Over the full 24 hours, I ate 2 apples and a little bit of quinoa. Before bed, my BS was at 524, which is much higher than it was when I went in for DKA. This stuff is not working, it's breaking me out, and it is making me fear for my life. Today is Christmas, and I am considering not eating at all because I do not wish to go into a coma. Thanks, Basaglar. I'm so frustrated right now, I have to fight to get my old meds back."

• djr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have taken Toujeo for 1 1/2 years now. I have broken out with a rash and itching over my entire body for the past three months. I told my doctor, and he said that can't happen with insulin. I've been to three doctors, and they all tell me the same. I stopped taking Toujeo. The rash is starting to clear, but it is slow in clearing. There is nothing that helps."

• sat...
• January 18, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started this medicine a year ago. I take 15 units before bed plus 2 Metformin pills a day. At first, I was getting fantastic results. Waking blood sugar every morning was under 100 and no side effects. Now, a year later, I have an itchy, scaly rash on my right side that will not go away, waking blood sugars are all over the place, ranging from the 180's to the 280's, blurry vision, and tiredness. I've had no changes in diet or exercise, and I'm not overweight. It's as if the drug just stopped working altogether. I am requesting my doctor take me off this and try something else."

• Ric...
• August 2, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Like everyone else, my insurance company forced me to switch from Lantus to Basaglar. Within a week, I had a strange rash on my torso. Only recently did a biopsy conclude that it began when I began Basaglar. Other side effects for me are extreme exhaustion and decline in muscle strength, instability walking, and serious weight gain. In the past 18 months, I have been totally unable to control my blood sugars, and it is taking a toll on my health. I am now having to fight with my insurance company to cover Lantus."

• klr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been on Toujeo for over 2 years, taking 80 units at bedtime. Like the other reviewer, djricci, the Toujeo has caused a rash to break out all over my body, especially on the lower legs and scalp. The overall constant itching is driving me nuts. Results have been so-so, I am lucky if sugar is below 200 in the AM. Have also experienced some of the side effects others have noted (blurry vision, weight gain, dizziness)."

• Aim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2017

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I was on Basaglar for 6 months because of my insurance no longer covering Lantus. I had extreme anxiety, nightmares, and most scary was the fast heart rate. I am only 37 and have never had a heart problem or had shortness of breath like I did on this horrid medicine. I've been off for about 3 weeks, my heart rate has slowed somewhat, but my doctor is now sending me for an EKG. I seriously hope it didn't cause any permanent damage, dealing with type one diabetes is enough! I am getting a TAR to go back on Lantus. Please report side effects to the FDA as I did, to get this medicine pulled. I also had red dots where I injected, and it did burn. Absolutely scary stuff."

• sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I found out Lantus wasn't covered by my insurance about June 2022, and Semglee was a replacement, although the copay assistance card made the copay $0. I finally started taking it after using up some Lantus, and after a week, I have some hives and itching. Also, I'm unusually tired when I'm not doing anything versus when I wasn't taking it. I'm going to see if I can increase my Trulicity and get off Semglee totally."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been on Toujeo Max SoloStar for over a year with fairly good results. Previous Lantus injections had reached the need to use two syringes nearly full, which caused a huge rash inside my thighs. The Toujeo Max SoloStar has allowed the twice daily injections of only 78 units morning and night, plus the rash vanished. The Toujeo Max pens are wonderful to use and nearly pain-free. To top it all off, my A1C has improved, dropping to a 7.6 and improving with time."