INSULIN GLARGINE

65/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC

Moderate Safety Concerns with Insulin Glargine

399,332 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About INSULIN GLARGINE

INSULIN GLARGINE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. Based on analysis of 399,332 FDA adverse event reports, INSULIN GLARGINE has a safety score of 65 out of 100. This moderate score indicates a notable volume of adverse event reports that patients and providers should be aware of. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for INSULIN GLARGINE include BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED, OFF LABEL USE, BLOOD GLUCOSE DECREASED, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for INSULIN GLARGINE.

AI Safety Analysis

Insulin Glargine has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 399,332 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Blood Glucose Increased, Off Label Use, Blood Glucose Decreased. Of classified reports, 52.3% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. The most common reactions are increased and decreased blood glucose levels, indicating potential issues with dosing and administration.

Serious adverse events, such as death and cerebrovascular accident, are reported, highlighting significant risks. Drug interactions and device issues are frequent, necessitating careful monitoring and management.

Patients taking Insulin Glargine should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Insulin Glargine can interact with other medications and may require adjustments in dosage. Device issues and improper storage can also lead to adverse events. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 65/100

Insulin Glargine received a safety concern score of 65/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 52.3% serious event ratio across 236,116 classified reports. The score accounts for 399,332 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED38,215 reports
OFF LABEL USE11,497 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE DECREASED10,314 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE10,279 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION9,798 reports
NAUSEA9,570 reports
PRODUCT STORAGE ERROR8,531 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT8,514 reports
HYPOGLYCAEMIA7,789 reports
DIARRHOEA6,900 reports
FATIGUE6,762 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED6,540 reports
MALAISE6,533 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED6,310 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN6,248 reports
DYSPNOEA6,213 reports
VOMITING6,031 reports
FALL5,981 reports
DIZZINESS5,890 reports
HEADACHE5,325 reports
ASTHENIA5,237 reports
PAIN4,980 reports
GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN INCREASED4,794 reports
HYPERGLYCAEMIA4,637 reports
DEATH4,548 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT4,426 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY4,172 reports
PNEUMONIA4,008 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION3,920 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE ABNORMAL3,909 reports
RENAL FAILURE3,883 reports
DECREASED APPETITE3,785 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED3,784 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE3,740 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY3,498 reports
DEVICE ISSUE3,452 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS INADEQUATE CONTROL3,452 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION3,289 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL3,263 reports
COUGH3,228 reports
CATARACT3,193 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED3,171 reports
ARTHRALGIA2,998 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE2,937 reports
TREMOR2,899 reports
PRURITUS2,858 reports
HYPERTENSION2,790 reports
PYREXIA2,748 reports
RASH2,697 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS2,668 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT2,647 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,642 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE2,634 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE FLUCTUATION2,620 reports
DEVICE MALFUNCTION2,598 reports
ANAEMIA2,580 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS2,539 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE2,536 reports
DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS2,517 reports
INJECTION SITE HAEMORRHAGE2,512 reports
DEHYDRATION2,504 reports
CONSTIPATION2,464 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION2,455 reports
ANXIETY2,437 reports
CHEST PAIN2,424 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER2,383 reports
HYPOTENSION2,370 reports
PRODUCT QUALITY ISSUE2,353 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN2,327 reports
WRONG TECHNIQUE IN PRODUCT USAGE PROCESS2,316 reports
BACK PAIN2,290 reports
VISION BLURRED2,269 reports
UNDERDOSE2,252 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL2,080 reports
INSOMNIA2,071 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION2,061 reports
ACCIDENTAL UNDERDOSE2,058 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE2,036 reports
HYPOACUSIS2,010 reports
DEVICE OPERATIONAL ISSUE1,976 reports
WRONG TECHNIQUE IN DEVICE USAGE PROCESS1,957 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING1,955 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL1,953 reports
SOMNOLENCE1,940 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,919 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT MISUSE1,904 reports
HOSPITALISATION1,879 reports
INJECTION SITE BRUISING1,842 reports
CARDIAC DISORDER1,838 reports
BLINDNESS1,830 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,808 reports
DEPRESSION1,788 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS1,780 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS1,757 reports
ARTHRITIS1,707 reports
VISUAL ACUITY REDUCED1,694 reports
SEPSIS1,675 reports
HAEMORRHAGE1,657 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS1,644 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT1,640 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High incidence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia suggests potential for severe glucose control issues.
  • Multiple reports of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, indicate cardiovascular safety concerns.
  • Significant number of serious adverse events, including renal and pulmonary issues, warrant close monitoring.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 120,024, Male: 98,720, Unknown: 733. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (5,145 reports), age 70 (4,885 reports), age 66 (4,794 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 236,116 classified reports for INSULIN GLARGINE:

  • Serious: 123,494 reports (52.3%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 112,622 reports (47.7%)
Serious 52.3%Non-Serious 47.7%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female120,024 (54.7%)
Male98,720 (45.0%)
Unknown733 (0.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 655,145 reports
Age 704,885 reports
Age 664,794 reports
Age 684,698 reports
Age 674,652 reports
Age 694,635 reports
Age 644,631 reports
Age 714,523 reports
Age 624,508 reports
Age 634,406 reports
Age 724,360 reports
Age 734,318 reports
Age 744,114 reports
Age 604,004 reports
Age 613,961 reports
Age 753,883 reports
Age 763,814 reports
Age 593,807 reports
Age 583,559 reports
Age 773,400 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Insulin Glargine can interact with other medications and may require adjustments in dosage. Device issues and improper storage can also lead to adverse events.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Insulin Glargine, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include blood glucose increased, off label use, blood glucose decreased, drug ineffective, inappropriate schedule of product administration. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should strictly follow the prescribed dosing schedule and monitor their blood glucose levels regularly. Inform healthcare providers about any other medications or devices being used to avoid potential interactions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of Insulin Glargine and has not issued any specific warnings or recalls. However, healthcare providers should remain vigilant and report any adverse events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Insulin Glargine?

The FDA has received approximately 399,332 adverse event reports associated with Insulin Glargine. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Insulin Glargine?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Insulin Glargine include Blood Glucose Increased, Off Label Use, Blood Glucose Decreased, Drug Ineffective, Inappropriate Schedule Of Product Administration. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Blood Glucose Increased (38,215 reports), Off Label Use (11,497 reports), Blood Glucose Decreased (10,314 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Insulin Glargine.

What percentage of Insulin Glargine adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 236,116 classified reports, 123,494 (52.3%) were classified as serious and 112,622 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Insulin Glargine (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Insulin Glargine break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 120,024, Male: 98,720, Unknown: 733. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Insulin Glargine?

The most frequently reported age groups for Insulin Glargine adverse events are: age 65: 5,145 reports, age 70: 4,885 reports, age 66: 4,794 reports, age 68: 4,698 reports, age 67: 4,652 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Insulin Glargine?

The primary manufacturer associated with Insulin Glargine adverse event reports is Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Insulin Glargine?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Insulin Glargine include: Nausea, Product Storage Error, Visual Impairment, Hypoglycaemia, Diarrhoea. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Insulin Glargine?

You can report adverse events from Insulin Glargine to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Insulin Glargine's safety score and what does it mean?

Insulin Glargine has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. The most common reactions are increased and decreased blood glucose levels, indicating potential issues with dosing and administration.

What are the key safety signals for Insulin Glargine?

Key safety signals identified in Insulin Glargine's adverse event data include: High incidence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia suggests potential for severe glucose control issues.. Multiple reports of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, indicate cardiovascular safety concerns.. Significant number of serious adverse events, including renal and pulmonary issues, warrant close monitoring.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Insulin Glargine interact with other drugs?

Insulin Glargine can interact with other medications and may require adjustments in dosage. Device issues and improper storage can also lead to adverse events. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Insulin Glargine.

What should patients know before taking Insulin Glargine?

Patients should strictly follow the prescribed dosing schedule and monitor their blood glucose levels regularly. Inform healthcare providers about any other medications or devices being used to avoid potential interactions.

Are Insulin Glargine side effects well-documented?

Insulin Glargine has 399,332 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events, such as death and cerebrovascular accident, are reported, highlighting significant risks. The volume of reports for Insulin Glargine reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Insulin Glargine?

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of Insulin Glargine and has not issued any specific warnings or recalls. However, healthcare providers should remain vigilant and report any adverse events. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to INSULIN GLARGINE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

GLARGINEMETFORMINGLUCAGENINSULIN ASPARTINSULIN NOVOLIN
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.