When You Can't Get Toujeo, You Still Have Options

If your pharmacy can't fill your Toujeo prescription — whether it's out of stock, too expensive, or your insurance won't cover it — you need to know what alternatives exist. Going without basal insulin is not an option when you have diabetes, and thankfully, there are several effective long-acting insulins your doctor can prescribe instead.

In this guide, we'll cover what Toujeo is, how it works, and the best alternatives available in 2026. We'll also help you understand the key differences so you can have an informed conversation with your prescriber.

What Is Toujeo?

Toujeo is a long-acting basal insulin made by Sanofi. Its active ingredient is Insulin Glargine, concentrated at 300 units/mL (U-300). It's approved for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

You inject Toujeo once daily, and it provides a slow, steady release of insulin for approximately 24 to 36 hours. It comes in two prefilled pen options:

• Toujeo SoloStar — 1.5 mL pen (450 units), delivers 1-80 units per injection
• Toujeo Max SoloStar — 3 mL pen (900 units), delivers 2-160 units per injection

For more details, see our full overview: What Is Toujeo? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know.

How Does Toujeo Work?

Insulin Glargine works by mimicking the insulin your body naturally produces. After you inject Toujeo under the skin, the concentrated U-300 formula forms tiny clusters called microprecipitates. These clusters dissolve slowly, releasing insulin gradually into your bloodstream.

This slow release helps:

• Keep your blood sugar stable between meals and overnight
• Reduce the risk of blood sugar spikes and crashes
• Provide a flatter, more predictable insulin profile compared to U-100 formulations

Learn more in our detailed explainer: How Does Toujeo Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.

Alternatives to Toujeo

All of the alternatives below are long-acting basal insulins. They serve the same basic purpose as Toujeo — providing background insulin coverage throughout the day — but they differ in concentration, duration, cost, and availability.

Important: Never switch insulins on your own. Dose conversions are not always straightforward, and switching requires medical supervision. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.

1. Lantus (Insulin Glargine U-100)

Lantus contains the same active ingredient as Toujeo — Insulin Glargine — but at a lower concentration of 100 units/mL. It's been on the market since 2000 and is one of the most widely prescribed basal insulins in the world.

Key differences from Toujeo:

• Lower concentration (U-100 vs. U-300)
• Slightly shorter duration of action (approximately 24 hours vs. 24-36 hours)
• Available as both a prefilled pen (SoloStar) and a 10 mL vial
• Has multiple biosimilars available, which can be cheaper

Lantus is generally easier to find and may cost less than Toujeo, especially when biosimilars are considered. However, some patients who switched from Lantus to Toujeo did so because Toujeo provided more stable blood sugar control with less nocturnal hypoglycemia.

2. Tresiba (Insulin Degludec)

Tresiba, made by Novo Nordisk, is an ultra-long-acting basal insulin with a duration of action up to 42 hours. It uses a different insulin molecule (Insulin Degludec) than Toujeo.

Key differences from Toujeo:

• Longer duration of action (up to 42 hours vs. 24-36 hours)
• More flexible dosing window — you don't need to inject at exactly the same time every day
• Available in U-100 and U-200 concentrations
• Lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia in clinical studies

Tresiba is often considered a premium basal insulin. It may be more expensive than Toujeo without insurance, but many plans cover it. It's a strong option for patients who struggle with consistent dosing schedules.

3. Levemir (Insulin Detemir)

Levemir, also by Novo Nordisk, is a long-acting basal insulin that typically requires once or twice daily dosing. It uses Insulin Detemir, a different molecule from Insulin Glargine.

Key differences from Toujeo:

• Shorter duration — many patients need to inject twice daily
• May cause less weight gain compared to other basal insulins
• Available as a prefilled FlexTouch pen and a vial
• Has been on the market since 2005

Levemir is generally less popular as a first choice in 2026 due to the twice-daily dosing requirement, but it remains a viable alternative when other options aren't available.

4. Basaglar (Insulin Glargine U-100 Biosimilar)

Basaglar, made by Eli Lilly, is a biosimilar to Lantus. It contains Insulin Glargine at 100 units/mL and works the same way as Lantus.

Key differences from Toujeo:

• U-100 concentration (same as Lantus, less concentrated than Toujeo)
• Often cheaper than both Toujeo and Lantus
• Available only as a prefilled KwikPen
• Widely covered by insurance plans

Basaglar is one of the most affordable long-acting insulin options and is widely available. If cost is a major concern, this may be a good option to discuss with your doctor.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Switching

If you can't get Toujeo, here's how to approach the conversation with your prescriber:

1. Explain the situation — whether it's availability, cost, or insurance coverage
2. Ask about dose conversion — switching between U-300 and U-100 insulins requires careful dose adjustment
3. Discuss monitoring — your doctor may want you to check blood sugar more frequently during the transition
4. Ask about samples — many endocrinology offices have insulin samples that can bridge you while you switch

If you haven't found a prescriber yet, our guide on finding a doctor who can prescribe Toujeo can help.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to fill your Toujeo prescription is stressful, but it doesn't mean you're out of options. Lantus, Tresiba, Levemir, and Basaglar are all effective long-acting insulins that can keep your blood sugar under control while you work out a long-term plan.

Before switching, always consult your doctor. And if you want to keep trying to find Toujeo, use Medfinder to check real-time pharmacy availability — or read our tips on how to find Toujeo in stock near you.

Your health comes first. The right insulin — whether it's Toujeo or an alternative — is out there.