Description

Toujeo SoloStar is a long-acting insulin pen imported from Turkey that contains the insulin glargine U-300 formulation. It is a single-patient-use prefilled insulin pen used to treat diabetes.Some key points about Toujeo SoloStar:

• It contains up to 3 times more insulin per milliliter (U-300) compared to standard insulin pens like Lantus SoloStar (U-100)
• A safety test should be performed when using a new pen for the first time
• Proper injection technique is important – talk to your doctor and follow the instructions in the leaflet that comes with the pen
• Potential side effects include swelling, weight gain, low potassium, and injection site reactions like changes in fat tissue, skin thickening, redness, swelling, and itching

The Toujeo SoloStar pen is available for purchase from Vitamins Collection,

Concentrated Insulin Formulation

• Toujeo contains a concentrated insulin glargine formulation of 300 units/mL (U-300), compared to the standard 100 units/mL (U-100) in other long-acting insulin pens.
• This higher concentration allows for smaller injection volumes, which may be more comfortable for some patients.

Dosing Flexibility

• The Toujeo SoloStar pen can deliver doses from 1 to 80 units in 1-unit increments.
• This wide dosing range provides flexibility to adjust insulin doses as needed.

Discreet and Portable Design

• The slim, pen-like design of the Toujeo SoloStar is more discreet and portable compared to vial-and-syringe insulin administration.
• This can make it easier for patients to administer their insulin discreetly and on-the-go.

Audible and Visual Dose Indicators

• The pen has both audible clicks and a visual dose window to help patients accurately dial and deliver their insulin dose.
• This can improve dosing accuracy and confidence during administration.

Extended Shelf Life

• Toujeo SoloStar pens can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 weeks after first use.
• This extended in-use shelf life can be convenient for patients.
  

  Key Benefits of Toujeo SoloStar

  Concentrated Insulin Formulation

  • Toujeo contains a concentrated insulin glargine formulation of 300 units/mL (U-300), compared to the standard 100 units/mL (U-100) in other long-acting insulin pens.
  • This higher concentration allows for smaller injection volumes, which may be more comfortable for some patients.

  Dosing Flexibility

  • The Toujeo SoloStar pen can deliver doses from 1 to 80 units in 1-unit increments.
  • This wide dosing range provides flexibility to adjust insulin doses as needed.

  Discreet and Portable Design

  • The slim, pen-like design of the Toujeo SoloStar is more discreet and portable compared to vial-and-syringe insulin administration.
  • This can make it easier for patients to administer their insulin discreetly and on-the-go.

  Audible and Visual Dose Indicators

  • The pen has both audible clicks and a visual dose window to help patients accurately dial and deliver their insulin dose.
  • This can improve dosing accuracy and confidence during administration.

  Extended Shelf Life

  • Toujeo SoloStar pens can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 weeks after first use.
  • This extended in-use shelf life can be convenient for patients.

  Active Ingredient

  • Insulin glargine (300 units/mL)

  Inactive Ingredients

  • Zinc chloride
  • m-cresol
  • Glycerol 85%
  • Water for injections
  • Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment

  Toujeo contains 3 times more insulin (300 units/mL) compared to standard insulin pens like Lantus which contain 100 units/mL. The higher concentration allows for smaller injection volumes.The SoloStar pen delivers doses from 1 to 80 units in 1-unit increments. It is a single-patient-use prefilled pen containing 1.5 mL of Toujeo solution, equivalent to 450 units

  Mechanism of Action

  • The primary activity of insulin, including insulin glargine (the active ingredient in Toujeo), is regulation of glucose metabolism .
  • Insulin and its analogs like insulin glargine lower blood glucose by:
    • Stimulating peripheral glucose uptake, especially by skeletal muscle and fat 
    • Inhibiting hepatic (liver) glucose production 
  • Insulin also inhibits lipolysis (fat breakdown) and proteolysis (protein breakdown), and enhances protein synthesis .
  • Insulin glargine is a long-acting human insulin analog that has a duration of action up to 36 hours . This prolonged action helps provide stable, 24-hour blood sugar control.
  • The higher concentration of 300 units/mL in Toujeo, compared to standard 100 units/mL insulins, allows for smaller injection volumes while maintaining the same total insulin dose [2,4].

  Chemical Structure of Toujeo (Insulin Glargine)

  • The molecular formula of insulin glargine, the active ingredient in Toujeo, is C267H404N72O78S6.
  • The molecular weight of insulin glargine is 6063 g/mol.
  • The chemical name is 21A-Gly-30Ba-L-Arg-30Bb-L-Arg-human insulin.
  • Insulin glargine is a modified human insulin analog, where the amino acid asparagine at position 21 of the A-chain is replaced by glycine, and two arginine residues are added to the C-terminus of the B-chain.
  • These structural modifications result in a more stable insulin molecule that has a prolonged duration of action compared to regular human insulin.

  The higher concentration of 300 units/mL in Toujeo, compared to the standard 100 units/mL insulins, is achieved through the same insulin glargine molecule but with a higher concentration in the formulation.

  Dosage

  • The Toujeo SoloStar pen can deliver doses from 1 to 80 units in 1-unit increments.
  • The maximum dose per injection is 80 units.
  • The initial Toujeo dose is determined based on the patient’s body weight and adjusted gradually by the healthcare provider.
  • Dosage specifics vary for type 1 vs type 2 diabetes, and for adults vs children aged 6 and older.
  • Proper dosing is crucial – deviations can lead to severe side effects like hypoglycemia and hypokalemia.

  Storage

  • Toujeo SoloStar pens can be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date.
  • After first use, the pens can be stored at room temperature (up to 86°F/30°C) for up to 56 days.
  • The pens should never be frozen, as freezing will damage the insulin.
  • It’s important to keep the pen cap on when not in use to protect the insulin.

  Reviews

  • Toujeo SoloStar has generally positive reviews from patients, with many citing the convenience of the pen design and the ability to take larger doses in fewer injections.
  • Some patients report experiencing fewer hypoglycemic events and better overall glycemic control after switching to Toujeo.
  • A few users have noted injection site reactions like redness, swelling, or changes in skin/fat tissue, which are listed as potential side effects.
  • Overall, the reviews highlight Toujeo SoloStar as an effective and user-friendly option for insulin delivery in diabetes management.