my endo prescribed lantus for my son. i’ve read lantus should be given to children 6 years and older? should my wife and i be worried? he has been on it for almost week and a half with no problems. is there any parents whose children are or were on lantus to give me some advice?
Lots of two-year-olds are on lantus, which you can find out by doing a google search for two-year-old and lantus. More to the point, however, it seems like you distrust the information that is being given to you by your endocrinologist. If you don’t feel like you have a good relationship with your son’s endo I would encourage you to get a new one, so that you have a medical professional that you feel comfortable asking all your questions of. From your other question it seems like the endo didn’t really explain the theory behind MDI to you, for example.
I read your other question and as Frances questioned, it doesn’t sound like your endo didn’t really explain insulin usage and MDI in diabetics. I also answered in your other thread.
As for Lantus in 2 year olds, while my experience is limited to myself, a lot of drugs are prescribed for “off use”. This is to say that sometimes drugs are used in a manor not suggested or tested for use. While the manufacturer of Lantus suggests that it be limited to 6 year olds this doesn’t mean it they are banning it or inferring it isn’t safe to use for younger children. They either didn’t test and/or lack enough data to make a claims in patients under the age of 6.
Was diabetic at the age of 3, forty one years ago now. We took NPH (the “parent” insulin of Lantus) and it has/had wicked peak(s). Lantus is much much better insulin.
I agree with Frances, it sounds like you distrust your Endo? . How come?
Stuart
my son is now nearly 17 months and been on lantus at least a month. we love it and its works to even out the roller coaster. Levemir had what seemed to be a peak and ran out before the 12 hours was up, so we tried Lantus. It is a true flat insulin.
But i will say the real issue is sick days or food refusal. the shot of lantus lasts a good 24 hours so hypos on bad days can happen a few times in a row! The injection site has alot to do with how the dosage works (buttocks to thigh creates changes in BGL for us) and took a bit of tinckering to get the dose right. My sons temperament hasnt been as good since diagnosis as when going onto Lantus. Hes a lovely kid again. Another thing - Lantus stings so injections could become a headache for you. how are things going for you now?
Lantus hasn’t been studied in children under 6, which is why it isn’t labeled for children under 6 - it doesn’t make it unsafe, it just has to do with rules that the FDA decides on. Lots of very young children use Lantus with no problems.
Emie is 2 and was on Lantus prior to the pump and did just fine on it. It is a great insulin and a huge step up from NPH from back in my young days with the D.
Room temperature Lantus stings a lot less than cold Lantus. So I recommend NOT keeping the vial that you are using in the fridge!
Id never give cool insulin to my son - only room temp. Lantus reportedly stings alot of people. My son cannot talk but he reacts to the Lantus (neither protaphane, novorapid or levemir did he give this same reaction.) After doing research here at tudiabetes it confirms my mothers instinct isnt wrong, that other people feels stinging and burning when injecting Lantus~!
I don’t know if this is possible with such a little one, but I found the injection stung less if I injected it slowly. If he is squirmy, then I know that this is not possible.