Toujeo dosage: Forms, strengths, and how to use

Toujeo dosage overview

The dosage of Toujeo depends on which type of diabetes you have and if you already take another form of insulin.

Toujeo forms

Toujeo comes as a liquid solution in single-use prefilled pens: Toujeo SoloStar and Toujeo Max SoloStar.

Toujeo strengths

Toujeo is available in two single-use prefilled pens:

• The Toujeo SoloStar pen contains 450 units of insulin glargine in 1.5 milliliters (mL) of liquid solution. It delivers doses in 1-unit increments and can deliver up to 80 units per injection.
• The Toujeo Max SoloStar pen contains 900 units of insulin glargine in 3 mL of liquid solution. It delivers doses in 2-unit increments and can deliver up to 160 units per injection.

The Toujeo Max SoloStar pen is typically recommended for patients requiring at least 20 units of insulin glargine per day. But your doctor will let you know which pen is best for you based on your specific Toujeo dosage.

Typical dosages

Typically, your starting dose of Toujeo will be based on your body weight, and your doctor will likely start you on a low dose and then slowly adjust it upward over time.

Changing your dose step by step helps lower your risk of side effects. It also helps ensure you get the exact amount of Toujeo your body needs. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the dose that best manages your blood sugar level.

You will take Toujeo once per day. Because every person’s blood sugar goals are unique, there is no single maximum dose for this drug. The following information describes standard starting recommendations. However, you should always use the exact dosage your doctor prescribes.

Dosage by condition

The Toujeo dosage your doctor prescribes depends on the type of diabetes you have and the severity of your condition.

Toujeo dosage for type 1 diabetes

The Toujeo dosage for type 1 diabetes depends on whether you already use insulin or will be using it for the first time.

If this is your first time using insulin:

• Your doctor may recommend starting with a Toujeo dose that’s 33% to 50% of your total daily insulin dose. (The remainder of your total daily insulin dose will typically be prescribed as a short-acting insulin that is divided between each daily meal.)
• In general, a ratio of 0.2 to 0.4 units of insulin per kilogram (kg) of body weight can be used to calculate the initial total daily insulin dose for someone with type 1 diabetes who has never taken insulin before. Your doctor will calculate the amount for you.

If you have been using long- or intermediate-acting insulin once per day:

• Your doctor may have you start using the same number of units of Toujeo as you use of insulin.
• You may need a higher amount of Toujeo to manage your blood sugar if your doctor is switching you from Lantus (insulin glargine) to Toujeo.

If you have been using long- or intermediate-acting insulin twice per day:

• Your doctor may have you start with an amount of Toujeo that is about 80% of your current total daily insulin dose.

Toujeo dosage for type 2 diabetes

The Toujeo dosage your doctor prescribes for type 2 diabetes also depends on whether you already use insulin or will be using it for the first time.

If this is your first time using insulin:

• Your doctor may start you on a Toujeo dosage of 0.2 units per kg of body weight once per day.

If you’ve been taking long- or intermediate-acting insulin once per day:

• Your doctor may start you on the same number of Toujeo units as the number of insulin units you have been taking.
• You may need a higher dose of Toujeo to manage your blood sugar if your doctor is switching you from Lantus to Toujeo.

If you’ve been using long- or intermediate-acting insulin twice per day:

• Your doctor may have you start with an amount of Toujeo that’s 80% of your current total daily insulin dose.

Children’s dosage

Toujeo is approved for use in children ages 6 years and older. The recommended dosage for children in this age group is the same as that for adults.

How to use Toujeo

Toujeo comes as a liquid solution in prefilled pens called Toujeo SoloStar and Toujeo Max SoloStar. (If your doctor prescribes a dosage of 20 units or more per day, they’ll likely advise that you use Toujeo Max SoloStar.)

Toujeo is administered by subcutaneous injection. You’ll inject the drug under the skin of your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh once per day. A healthcare professional can explain how to give yourself the injections. You can also look at these step-by-step instructions and watch this video demonstration for more information.

You’ll need pen needles to give the injections. These needles don’t come with the pen, so you’ll have to purchase them separately. The manufacturer of Toujeo recommends these needles:

• Ypsomed Clickfine
• BD Ultra-Fine
• Owen Mumford Unifine Pentips

If you have questions about how to use Toujeo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

When’s the best time to take Toujeo?

Toujeo is intended for use once per day. Be sure to use it at the same time each day. This helps keep the level of Toujeo in your blood steady so that the drug can work effectively. Your doctor can help decide the best time of day to use Toujeo.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose and aren’t sure what to do, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on when to take your next dose and how to resume your regular treatment schedule.

To help ensure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Factors that can affect your dosage

The Toujeo dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• the type of diabetes you’re using Toujeo to treat
• which strength of Toujeo you use
• your age
• your blood sugar level
• whether or not you have used insulin before
• your level of physical activity
• your weight
• what foods you eat
• whether or not you’re sick or under a lot of stress

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Toujeo dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Certain medical conditions can affect the level of Toujeo in the body. If you have problems with your liver, kidneys, or heart, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Toujeo than usual. You may also need to check your blood sugar more often.

If you have questions about whether your Toujeo dosage needs adjustment, talk with your doctor.

Medical Perspective

“Taking higher doses of a drug doesn’t necessarily make it more effective. Everyone has an ideal dose that works for them. For some people, taking higher doses of a drug can lead to side effects rather than therapeutic effects.”

— Philip Ngo, PharmD

Learn more: Potential Toujeo side effects

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

Toujeo and overdose

If you use more Toujeo than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.

It’s important that you do not use more Toujeo than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

Symptoms of a Toujeo overdose can include:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms can include:
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • blurry vision
  • fast heart rate
  • racing heartbeat
  • headaches
  • sweating
  • slurred speech
  • feeling anxious or irritable
  • feeling confused
  • feeling hungry
• Hypokalemia (low potassium level). Symptoms can include:
  • muscle cramps or weakness
  • fatigue
  • constipation
  • breathing problems
  • heart palpitations (feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats)
  • numbness or tingling

If you use more than the recommended amount of Toujeo

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Toujeo. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or visit its Poison Help website. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Frequently asked questions about Toujeo dosage

Summary

Toujeo is a long-acting prescription insulin used to lower blood sugar in adults and children (ages 6 years and older) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is a concentrated, slow-acting formula designed to manage your blood sugar steadily throughout the entire day.

Quick facts: Dosing and administration

• How it is taken: You inject Toujeo under the skin (subcutaneously) once per day, at the same time each day.
• Injection sites: You can inject the medication into your abdomen, thigh, or the back of your upper arm. Always rotate your injection spots.
• Available forms: Toujeo comes in prefilled disposable pens called SoloStar and Max SoloStar.

Standard starting dosages

Your exact starting dose will depend on your body weight and whether you are switching from another type of insulin:

Important note: There is no specified maximum dose for Toujeo. Your doctor will start you on a safe, low dose and gradually increase it until your blood sugar reaches a healthy target. Always follow the exact Toujeo dosage instructions given by your doctor.