Toujeo (insulin glargine) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to help manage blood sugar in certain people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. To be specific, Toujeo is approved for use in adults as well as children ages 6 years and older.

Toujeo is a long-acting form of insulin. It works by lowering the level of blood sugar in the body. It is not used for diabetic ketoacidosis.

Toujeo is given as a subcutaneous injection.

For information about the dosage of Toujeo, including its forms, strengths, and how to use the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Toujeo, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Toujeo provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Toujeo, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

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 strengths:

  • Toujeo SoloStar contains 450 units of Toujeo in 1.5 milliliters (mL) of liquid solution. This pen delivers up to 80 units of Toujeo per injection.
  • Toujeo Max SoloStar contains 900 units of Toujeo in 3 mL of liquid solution. This pen delivers up to 160 units of Toujeo per injection.

If your doctor prescribes a dosage of 20 units or more per day, they’ll likely advise that you use Toujeo Max SoloStar.

Typical dosages

Typically, your starting dose of Toujeo will be based on your body weight. Your doctor will use titration to adjust the dose. This means that you’ll first be given a low dose, then your doctor will increase it slowly over time.

Titration helps lower the risk of side effects. It also helps makes sure that you get the dosage of Toujeo that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the amount of Toujeo that best manages your blood sugar levels.

The dosing frequency for Toujeo is once per day. The maximum dose of the drug depends on your blood sugar levels, so it may be different from person to person.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

Dosage for type 1 diabetes

The Toujeo dosage for type 1 diabetes varies. It depends on if 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 that you first use an amount of Toujeo that’s one-third to one-half of your total daily insulin. This is based on your weight and is usually 0.2 to 0.4 units of insulin per kilogram (kg).* 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 the 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 using an amount of Toujeo that’s 80% of your current total daily dose of insulin.

* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds [lb].

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

The Toujeo dosage for type 2 diabetes varies. It depends on if 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 with a Toujeo dosage of 0.2 units/kg, once per day.

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

  • You doctor may start you with the same number of units of Toujeo as the insulin.
  • You may need a higher amount 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 using an amount of Toujeo that’s 80% of your current total daily dose of insulin.

Children’s dosage

Toujeo is approved for use in children ages 6 years and older. The dosages for this age group are the same as the adult dosages. For details, see “Dosage for type 1 diabetes” and “Dosage for type 2 diabetes” above.

Long-term use

Toujeo is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Toujeo is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

When you’re starting treatment with a new medication, you may have questions about it. Here are some frequently asked questions about Toujeo and their answers.

What is Toujeo’s maximum dose per injection?

The maximum dose per injection for the SoloStar pen is 80 units of insulin glargine. The maximum dose per injection for the Max SoloStar pen is 160 units of insulin glargine.

If you have questions about the right dose of Toujeo for you, talk with your doctor.

Is there a dosing calculator for Toujeo that I can use, such as if I’m switching from Lantus to Toujeo?

Your doctor may use a dosing calculator to help determine your dosage of Toujeo. They may need to change your dosage over time as your body adjusts to the medication.

If your doctor switches you from Lantus to Toujeo, they’ll probably prescribe a higher dose of Toujeo than usual. This could be because your body absorbs Toujeo more slowly than it does Lantus. Your doctor will determine the dose you need.

You can ask your doctor for more information about how they’ll determine your Toujeo dosage.

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 given as a 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 meant to be used 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 what time of day you should use Toujeo.

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 get back on your regular treatment schedule.

To help make sure that 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.

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 to be adjusted, talk with your doctor.

If you use more Toujeo than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. This article provides details about possible side effects of Toujeo.

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:

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 the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Toujeo for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Toujeo without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Toujeo that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Toujeo. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

  • More about Toujeo. For information about other aspects of Toujeo, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Toujeo compares with Lantus, see this article.
  • Side effects. For details about Toujeo’s potential side effects, refer to this article.
  • Details about diabetes. For more information about diabetes, our diabetes hub and these related articles may be 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.