The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Basaglar, an insulin glargine injection for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.

The approval for the long-acting human insulin analog, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana, came on Dec. 16. According to the FDA, the drug plays an important role in the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and its approval is expected to expand the availability of treatment options for patients and healthcare professionals.

The regulatory body states that administration of Basaglar and its dosage should be personalised to meet individual requirements. The drug needs to be administered subcutaneously once in a day, but at the same time each day.

The FDA further warns that Basaglar may cause hypoglycaemia, that is low blood sugar, a condition which can be life-threatening. Therefore, the drug should not be administered during episodes of low blood sugar.

In addition, Basaglar is not meant to be administered to patients with hypersensitivity to insulin glargine or any of its ingredients. The FDA strictly warns against the sharing of Basaglar KwikPens even if the needle is changed, since it may transfer blood-borne pathogens.

Patients under Basaglar treatment should be regularly monitored for their blood glucose levels. Patients who are recommended changes to the insulin dosage and physical exercising or the ones with renal impairment or require co-administration of other diabetes drugs should be monitored even closely.

The FDA reports that some of the adverse reactions associated with Basaglar in clinical trials include allergic reaction, hypoglycaemia, itching, rash, weight gain and injection site reaction.

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