Long-acting insulin analogue in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: emphasis on proven efficacy and safety

In time, prescription of insulin therapy (IT) becomes inevitable for many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) to achieve and maintain the target hypoglycemic range. According to the current guidelines, the addition of basal insulin to glucose-lowering therapy in patients with insufficient control of type 2 diabetes, gradual titration of its dose in accordance with a fasting blood glucose level is an effective and safe method for initiating IT. The properties of modern long-acting insulin analogues are considered. Glargine 300 U/ml is a modern analogue of long-acting insulin that is intended to be used once a day. The glargine molecule forms the basis of the drug. Increasing the concentration of glargine per volume unit and formation of a smaller subcutaneous depot led to a change in the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug. Glargine 300 IU/ml provides a more stable, long-term, predictable action with low glycemic variability as compared with glargine 100 IU/ml, which reduces the risk of hypoglycemia. The sugar-reducing efficacy and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/ml as evidenced by the findings of the international clinical phase III EDITION studies are discussed. Insulin glargine 300 U/ml showed a similar decrease in HbA1c levels compared to insulin glargine 100 U/ml with an improved safety profile (lower risk of developing episodes of confirmed or severe hypoglycemia at all times of the day, including the nighttime) and a less pronounced effect on the body weight of patients with type 2 diabetes. The efficacy and safety of the use of glargine 300 U/ml has been confirmed in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease and the elderly. In the BRIGHT study, glargine 300 U/ml showed comparable glycemic control when it is being compared.