Insulin glargine: a long acting insulin analog

Abstract

The main goal of treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is to maintain long term near normoglycemia. Insulin therapy plays a pivotal role in the management of DM. Most insulin preparations and insulin delivery systems, do not mimic the physiological insulin secretion in the body, leading to impaired metabolic control and increased hypoglycemic attacks. Insulin glargine is newer, long acting insulin analog with duration of action of 24 hr. It practically does not show any peak over its duration of action. In various clinical trials, it has shown comparable/better efficacy than the currently used insulin replacement therapies with no increased side effects. In the current scenario, though it is difficult to achieve an ideal replacement therapy, insulin glargine is definitely a positive step in that direction.