"Basaglar: A New Era in Long-Acting Insulin Therapy for Diabetes Management"
Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects over 500 million people globally. Insulin remains a cornerstone of therapy, especially for type 1 and advanced type 2 diabetes. Basaglar® (insulin glargine) has emerged as a biosimilar alternative to Lantus, offering similar efficacy at a potentially lower cost. Since its approval, Basaglar has become a trusted option for basal insulin therapy in both adults and children.
What is Basaglar?
Basaglar is a long-acting basal insulin (insulin glargine 100 units/mL) used to control blood sugar in:
- Adults and children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)
- Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
It provides a steady release of insulin over 24 hours, mimicking natural basal insulin secretion.
🧬 Note: Basaglar is a biosimilar – not identical but highly similar to the reference insulin product Lantus.
How Does Basaglar Work?
Basaglar is designed for once-daily subcutaneous injection, providing:
- Slow, steady absorption
- Minimal peak effect
- 24-hour glucose-lowering coverage
This profile helps reduce:
- Fasting hyperglycemia
- Risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia
FDA and EMA Approval
Basaglar was:
- Approved by the FDA in 2015 as the first "follow-on" insulin glargine
- Approved by the EMA as a biosimilar under the name Abasaglar
Clinical Efficacy
✅ Comparable to Lantus
In head-to-head trials:
- Basaglar showed non-inferior glycemic control
- No significant difference in A1C reduction or hypoglycemia rates
Reference: Rosenstock J et al., Diabetes Care, 2015 – ELEMENT 2 and ELEMENT 5 trials
📉 Key Outcomes:
- Mean A1C reduction: ~1.3% in T2DM
- Similar rates of injection-site reactions and hypoglycemia
- Effective as part of basal-bolus or basal-only regimens
Advantages of Basaglar
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Biosimilar | Lower cost, similar efficacy |
| Once-daily dosing | Convenient, improves adherence |
| Available in pens | Easy self-administration (KwikPen) |
| Stable formulation | Consistent 24-hour coverage |
Safety Profile
Basaglar is generally well tolerated. Side effects may include:
- Hypoglycemia (especially with incorrect dosing)
- Injection site redness or swelling
- Weight gain (common with all insulins)
No increased risk of cancer or insulin antibodies was observed in long-term use.
Reference: FDA Basaglar Drug Label, 2025 update
Who Should Use Basaglar?
Indications:
- Adults and children ≥6 years with T1DM
- Adults with uncontrolled T2DM needing basal insulin
Contraindications:
- During episodes of hypoglycemia
- Patients allergic to insulin glargine or any component of the formulation
Cost and Accessibility
- Basaglar is often less expensive than brand-name Lantus
- Covered by many insurance and government programs
- Considered a cost-effective alternative in insulin affordability initiatives
Reference: American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2025 Standards of Care
Future Outlook
As biosimilars gain traction, Basaglar sets a precedent for:
- Expanding access to insulin globally
- Reducing healthcare costs
- Encouraging competition in the insulin market
Newer formulations, such as glargine U300 (Toujeo) and ultra-long-acting insulins (e.g., insulin icodec), may complement Basaglar’s role in personalized diabetes care.
Conclusion
Basaglar represents a major step forward in accessible, effective basal insulin therapy. Offering the same glycemic control as Lantus at a lower cost, it enables patients with diabetes to achieve stable blood sugar with more flexibility and less financial strain.
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Key References
- Rosenstock J et al. “Efficacy and safety of Basaglar vs Lantus in T2DM: The ELEMENT 2 trial.” Diabetes Care, 2015.
- FDA Drug Database – Basaglar (2025 update): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov
- American Diabetes Association. “Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes – 2025.”
- EMA Summary: Abasaglar (Basaglar EU equivalent): https://www.ema.europa.eu