Insulin glargine and Swelling: What Users Say

• Cyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took Lantus prior to Basaglar, which was chemically similar. Within days, my blood glucose was out of control. Previously, my HbA1c was 6.2. My glucose level rose from a norm of 109-179 to 154-228. Basaglar did NOT last a full 24 hours. Around hour 10, it seemed to wear off, causing elevated blood glucose levels. I developed a nagging, dry cough, swollen legs, and upper abdomen. My doctor applied for a medical exception with my insurer and CVS to return to Lantus. I have to pay a higher co-pay (Basaglar copay is $30 and Lantus is $50 for a 3-week supply. To get a full month's supply, I would have had to pay double that amount). The dry cough has not gone away. Neither has the swelling in my upper abdomen. My blood glucose levels are lower but are no longer under good control as before Basaglar. Very unhappy with the outcome. I filed a complaint with the FDA."

• 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."

• Ben...
• January 1, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Toujeo. 19 units at night. Two weeks off Lantus SoloStar. Blood sugars waking were 140, now 200. Nausea 15 minutes after injection. Lasts for two hours. Severe cramping and pain in feet, calves, shoulders, and hands. Diarrhea on and off throughout the two weeks. Dizziness. Blurry vision in one eye. Swollen gums. Hope this levels off quickly."

• Rll...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2016

For Diabetes, Type 1 "My doctor tried switching me from Lantus to Toujeo because my blood sugar was always high in the morning. It started out working to bring my blood sugar levels down, but within four to six weeks, I had gained 10 pounds (and I am not tall), I had swelling, and I could barely feel my toes due to poor circulation. I have never had problems with circulation that could not be regulated. I have had type 1 diabetes without too many complications for 35 years and am otherwise healthy. I had to have my doctor switch me back to Lantus because Toujeo was destroying my body. I hope this does not replace Lantus or I will not be around for long."

• Leh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Don't buy this and waste your money and/or Medicare benefits. Get a sample first. I injected 40 units at 9 pm the first night. By 9:30, my eyes were swelled shut and my throat was swelling shut. Called an ambulance and was treated for anaphylactic shock. Released the next day with a red, black, and blue welt at the injection site and a handful of Tresiba samples (which was what I had used prior to insurance trying to save a buck). Tossed all the Basaglar samples out except the one I used in case the FDA should want it after I filed my MedWatch report. A horrid drug, was obviously rushed past the FDA with under-table handshakes. Shame on them. Two days later, still shaky with an unending headache!"

• Bad...
• September 13, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been using Basaglar for a couple of years, and my count was down to a max of 156 in the evening, under 100 in the morning. Since the last refill back in June 2020, the count is never below 290 at any time and having serious problems with my feet swelling, worse than when I was taking Lantus. This is a very bad batch and needs to be recalled."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor placed me on this medication three months ago, and I immediately began noticing that I was having trouble staying asleep at night and waking with a dull headache every morning. I also noticed occasional and always unexplainable perspiration on my face and scalp. After about a month of use, lower leg swelling and shortness of breath was added to my symptoms. Upon calling my doctor, I was advised to 'stick with the Basaglar' and that it would 'get better.' And so, I tried. Then I began noticing my weight rapidly increasing and rushed to see my doctor in person. He wasn't there, but his PA immediately said that Basaglar is the culprit for all my ills, including the weight gain, and took me off this terrible med. We are now searching for something that will work in its place. The loss of quality of life just wasn't worth the small amount this medication lowered my A1C."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Toujeo in April 2021. My first reaction to the drug was joint pain and swelling in my calves, ankles, and knees. My calves looked like giant (chicken) drumsticks. This insulin has interacted with my blood pressure medications, where I have developed edema. Dependent edema is what I was diagnosed with. My insulin has recently been changed to Levemir. I've only been on the new insulin for a couple of days. How long does it take before the new drug (insulin) takes effect? My balance is off, my legs are heavy to move to the point where I am dragging my feet when I walk, and this scares me."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Toujeo in April 2021. My first reaction to the drug was joint pain and swelling in my calves, ankles, and knees. My calves looked like giant (chicken) drumsticks. This insulin has interacted with my blood pressure medications, where I have developed edema. Dependent edema is what I was diagnosed with. My insulin has recently been changed to Levemir. I've only been on the new insulin for a couple of days. How long does it take before the new drug (insulin) takes effect? My balance is off, my legs are heavy to move to the point where I am dragging my feet when I walk, and this scares me."

• Qui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "As with other patients, the insurance company forced me to use Basaglar in lieu of Lantus. Side effects are dangerous. Started having sleepless nights, painful swollen legs, and body aches. Called my doctor, and he has switched me to Tresiba. My question is why does the insurance company risk our lives to save a few dollars when they are boasting about making money every year? This is a horrible medication."

• Tim...
• October 3, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "After reading many of the reviews about this insulin and experiencing some of the same side effects, I have come to learn Basaglar KwikPen is not the insulin I need. Blood sugar remains high, and my feet and ankles are swelling up. Ankle pain is getting intense at times."

• Ms3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2022

For Diabetes, Type 1 "My experience with Basaglar will affect me for the rest of my life, and not in a good way. Of course, I doubt there is a doctor that will say results are due to this horrible 'biosimilar' creation, but I developed heart failure from Basaglar. All started when I went to see a doctor in an area I had just moved to. Without any discussion or notification, they put me on Basaglar, no change in the number of units that I needed to take. I was on it for a month before I started to feel my worst. Then I looked closer at the medication and realized it was not Lantus, which I had been taking for years. I gained 40 pounds. I could not sleep in my bed anymore because I couldn't breathe. My feet were swollen drastically. I could not make it up 13 steps without having to stop multiple times because I could not breathe. I was a very active person before all of this. After multiple trips to the doctor and a change in doctors, they found that my ejection fraction was 15%. Normal is 55-75%."

• car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been feeling worse since I started taking Semglee. It caused my ankles, foot, lower legs to swell, I felt dizzy and had itching."