Insulin glargine

Insulin glargine, marketed by Sanofi-Aventis under the name Lantus, is a long-acting basal insulin analogue, given once daily to help control the blood sugar level of those with diabetes. Its advantage is that it has a duration of action of 24 hours, with a "less peaked" profile than NPH. Thus, it more closely resembles the basal insulin secretion of the normal pancreatic beta cells. In type 2 diabetes and in combination with a short acting sulfonylurea (drugs which stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin), it can offer moderate control of serum glucose levels. In the absence of endogenous insulin (Type 1 diabetes or depleted type 2), Lantus needs the support of a fast acting insulin taken with food to reduce the effect of prandially derived glucose. It is fasting glucose elevation which more significantly affects HbA1c and thus determines the progression of the long-term complications of diabetes mellitus[citation needed].

Benefit
The peakless profile of Lantus also enables the dose to be relatively higher than standard NPH insulin. Because standard NPH is normally administered at night, its peak of action tends to coincide with the lower serum glucose levels associated with nocturnal metabolism. This can induce nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Lantus offers the benefit of a more consistent pharmacological dynamic without nocturnal hypoglycaemia. The result of this is a patient who feels more confident and more comfortable with a lower pre-bed and pre-breakfast capillary glucose level.