Regarding insulin glargine administration, which statement is correct?

Regarding insulin glargine administration, which statement is correct?

• A. It is administered subcutaneously and does not require rolling the vial.
• B. It must be injected intramuscularly.
• C. It must be administered with meals.
• D. It should be rolled before administration.

Answer: (A)

Long-acting basal insulin like insulin glargine is used to provide a steady, background level of insulin and is given by subcutaneous injection. It is formulated as a clear solution, not a suspension, so it does not require rolling. Rolling is something you do with suspensions to redistribute particles, but glargine’s clear formulation has no suspended particles to mix, and rolling isn’t necessary or recommended. Because it’s a basal insulin, it’s not tied to meals; mealtime coverage is provided by rapid-acting insulins instead. Injecting intramuscularly would lead to faster and less predictable absorption, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or erratic glucose control, which is why subcutaneous administration is specified.

Long-acting basal insulin like insulin glargine is used to provide a steady, background level of insulin and is given by subcutaneous injection. It is formulated as a clear solution, not a suspension, so it does not require rolling. Rolling is something you do with suspensions to redistribute particles, but glargine’s clear formulation has no suspended particles to mix, and rolling isn’t necessary or recommended.

Because it’s a basal insulin, it’s not tied to meals; mealtime coverage is provided by rapid-acting insulins instead. Injecting intramuscularly would lead to faster and less predictable absorption, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or erratic glucose control, which is why subcutaneous administration is specified.