Lantus (insulin glargine) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed for diabetes. It’s used in adults and some children. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Lantus has a savings program.

Lantus belongs to a drug class called long-acting insulins. Lantus is available in a biosimilar version.

Read on to learn about Lantus and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about Lantus, refer to this article.

As with all medications, the cost of Lantus can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether Lantus has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

In addition, you may need to purchase needles or syringes to use Lantus.

To find out what the cost of Lantus will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider if you have one.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Lantus. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Lantus in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization, but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Lantus requires prior authorization.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Lantus.

Is there a coupon available for Lantus?

A coupon isn’t available for Lantus, but the drug’s manufacturer offers different types of savings programs. The Sanofi Insulins Valyou Savings Card is available for people without insurance. The Sanofi US Copay Program is an option for people with commercial (private) insurance. However, you cannot use it with government-funded insurance such as Medicare.

If you’re eligible for either program, it may help you save on the cost of Lantus. For more information about these programs, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

If you have questions about Lantus coupons and savings options, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Lantus SoloStar pens cost more than Lantus vials?

Several factors affect whether Lantus SoloStar pens cost more than Lantus vials. These include your insurance coverage and how your specific plan covers the cost of Lantus. You can contact your insurance provider to learn more. Ask them if they prefer one form of Lantus over the other and how much you’ll pay for either of them.

The pharmacy you use can also affect the cost. For example, if you don’t use insurance, you can ask your pharmacist for a “cash price” for Lantus SoloStar pens or Lantus vials. That’s the amount you’ll pay without any insurance, coupons, or savings cards. To find out about savings options with Lantus, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

To learn more about the cost of Lantus SoloStar pens and vials, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Lantus is a biologic drug and contains the active ingredient insulin glargine. It has two biosimilar versions:

  • Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr*)
  • Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn*)

A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

Basaglar (insulin glargine) is another drug that’s similar to Lantus. It’s considered a follow-on biologic. Follow-on biologics are essentially the same as biosimilars but were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through an old pathway.

If you have a prescription for Lantus and are interested in taking Rezvoglar, Semglee, or Basaglar instead, ask your doctor. If you have questions about the cost of these medications, ask your insurance provider.

* The reason these four letters appear at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Lantus long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Lantus. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Lantus may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Lantus, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called Lantus Savings and Support is available. If you have commercial (private) insurance, you may be eligible for the Sanofi US Copay Program. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 866-251-4750 or visit the program website.
  • Sanofi Patient Connection is available if your insurance plan doesn’t cover Lantus. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for assistance, call 888-847-4877 or visit the program website.
  • If you don’t have insurance, a program called Sanofi Insulins Valyou Savings Program is available. To find out if you’re eligible for this program, call 855-984-6302 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Lantus, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Lantus. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Lantus.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.