Insulin glargine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• AEB...
• September 4, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Lantus, which worked beautifully for me. Like others, I was switched to Basaglar (not my doing). The issue I am having is that my appetite seems to have doubled. In a matter of two months, I went from 188lb to 201lb. I know my diet as a diabetic is a delicate one. I have had no other changes in my meds whatsoever. This has occurred since I started this insulin. I hate it!!! Am I the only one that experienced this issue?"

• ful...
• January 31, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor prescribed Lantus at an increase of two units every three days until my fasting sugars are at 120 or below. After two months, my readings still range between 250 and 315. I started at 20 units and am now up to 50. It probably is lowering my blood sugar to some degree, but not significantly. I need something more effective. At this rate, I'll be up to 80 units daily or more to reach my goal and will suffer side effects from such a high dose. I feel hungry all the time since using this and I've gained weight."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "My insurance company switched me to this, and I have gone from my usual blood sugar of 90 to 120 to this morning 435. I have had muscle pain, night cramps, increased appetite, and weight gain. I hate this, and I am on my way to the emergency room because of it. I feel a lawsuit coming on. I think this is an experimental drug, and it’s hurting a lot of people. It's a shame the greed that exhibits itself in the drug industry."

• mac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Lantus does nothing for me except cause weight gain, debilitating lower back pain and spasms, sinusitis, chronic drippy nose that is beyond annoying, gastro issues, headache, heart palpitations, and anxiety. It also increases my fasting glucose by a solid 4 points. If this sounds like fun to you, have at it. I've tried this insulin more than once, and the side effects come faster and harder every time I play 'try this' with another doctor. Its sibling, the concentrated 'Toujeo,' is even worse. It really concerns me the comments some people make here about insulin and diabetes in general. The lack of education about meds, diabetes, and insulin is astounding. You absolutely can combine Lantus with short-acting insulin like Humalog or Novolog throughout the day, so ignore that review below. I also am baffled by the people who think they can leave Lantus out of the fridge for 2 months and not have it turn milky on them. Read the insert, people!"

• Hus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 23, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "Cramps in hands, fingers, legs more, excessive hunger, weight gain 18 lbs. I also use Novolog FlexPen 3 times a day = 20 / Lantus 1 at bedtime = 46. Tiredness & weakness more so than ever, is constant. Bowel movements constantly different."

• Sno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Lantus is my first treatment with insulin. I am presently at 22 units once a day, and my numbers are much lower than before when just on metformin and glimepiride. I do not have to use glimepiride now. I do not have the terrible lows as before, and my highs are a lot less. I feel better in general, but I have gained some weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Lantus did not work for me at all. Along with not working, it actually raised glucose readings from 12 to 16 by taking 14 units of Lantus. Weight gain was terrible, and nighttime sweating turned the bed into a pool by midnight."

• 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)."

• 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."

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I've been type 1 for 20 years and been on Lantus the majority of the time. My insurance switched me to Basaglar 4 months ago, and I've gained 20 lbs. I also have had headaches, and I already suffer from anxiety and depression, but my depression seems to be a lot worse. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! If I could give it a 0 out of 10, I would!"

• 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."

• Rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I have been diabetic for 24 years and have used Lantus for about 20 years until my insurance said this winter that it would not cover it. I was changed to Basaglar and told that it was “basically the same,” but it's not!!! In 8 months, my A1C has jumped to a 10% from a 7-8%. My blood sugar drops really low in the morning without real explanation, and then it creeps up to ridiculously high levels no matter what I eat. I am very low carb and I exercise, but nothing helps. I am also unable to lose weight, and I feel terrible. This medication is a disgrace!! If you can even call it that. I am glad to see that I’m not alone in having these issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 8, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Seems almost everyone was switched off insulin that works to Basaglar in 2016. I take 90 per day in addition to 1000 metformin twice a day and fast-acting up to 3x a day. When I started Basaglar, it seemed to work. It gradually started being less effective, it is now like I am using water. My mornings were running up to 90, they now run up to 200. In 2021, I started itching on all the soft parts of my skin, shoulder pains, fatigue, sleeping issues, and weight gain. I have discussed issues with my doctor, he doesn't feel that Basaglar is the issue. I go to see him in a month, it's time to demand a change."

• 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%."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on 8 units at night, it took a week to kick in. My blood glucose was still a 10 in the morning. I have rapid insulin with meals. Toujeo has gone up to 11 units in 9 months. Morning blood glucose ranges from 6 to 8. If I exercise on a stationary bike at night and do not snack before bed, morning blood glucose is in the 6 range. The problem is weight gain of 15 lb and stomach bloating after injection. I cut carbs and walk an average of 90 minutes a day. It seems the rapid insulin with meals plus exercise after meals brings my blood glucose down. However, Toujeo seems ineffective as blood sugars climb up again. I don't understand what effect Toujeo is meant to have?"

• BMD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been using Semglee for 1 month so far. Put on 5 pounds and had 3 pens fail so far, the plunger breaks, and you can’t use the rest of the injections."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I have gained 45 pounds on this insulin."