Comprehensive medication guide to Basaglar including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$35/month cap for covered Medicare Part D plans (2026 rules); $0–$35 copay for commercially insured patients using the Lilly Commercial Savings Card; Medicaid typically covers Basaglar with $0–$3 copay depending on state plan.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$326–$327 retail per 5-pen KwikPen carton (1-month supply) without assistance; as low as $35/month with Lilly's Insulin Value Cash Savings Card (no insurance required, valid through December 31, 2026).
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
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Basaglar (insulin glargine injection) is a long-acting basal insulin manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. FDA-approved on December 16, 2015, Basaglar contains 100 units of insulin glargine per mL (U-100) and is delivered via the Basaglar KwikPen — a disposable, prefilled insulin pen. It is classified as a 'follow-on' insulin glargine product with the same amino acid sequence as Lantus (Sanofi), approved through its own 505(b)(2) clinical pathway.
Basaglar is FDA-approved to improve glycemic control in adults and children (ages 6 and older) with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, and in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In Type 1 diabetes, Basaglar must be used alongside a mealtime (rapid-acting) insulin. It is not approved for use in diabetic ketoacidosis or during hypoglycemic episodes.
As of 2026, Basaglar KwikPens are generally available nationally — Eli Lilly confirms continued production. The Basaglar Tempo Pen is being discontinued and will only be available through July 27, 2026. Patients on Tempo Pens should speak with their provider about transitioning to the KwikPen.
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Basaglar works by mimicking the basal (background) insulin function of a healthy pancreas. Insulin glargine is slightly different from natural human insulin due to amino acid modifications: asparagine at position A21 is replaced with glycine, and two arginine residues are added to the B-chain. These changes make insulin glargine relatively insoluble at physiological skin pH (7.4), causing it to form microscopic depot crystals after subcutaneous injection.
These crystals dissolve slowly and steadily, releasing insulin glargine into the bloodstream over approximately 24 hours with no pronounced peak. This peakless profile reduces the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia compared to intermediate-acting insulins like NPH. Basaglar lowers blood sugar by stimulating glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat, suppressing hepatic glucose production, inhibiting lipolysis and proteolysis, and promoting protein synthesis.
Basaglar begins working approximately 90 minutes after injection and provides coverage for up to 24 hours. It is injected subcutaneously once daily at the same time each day. It cannot be mixed with other insulins or used in an insulin pump.
100 units/mL — KwikPen (3 mL prefilled pen)
Standard Basaglar formulation. Each pen contains 300 units. Dials in 1-unit increments, delivers 1–80 units per injection.
100 units/mL — Tempo Pen (3 mL prefilled pen)
Discontinued — available through July 27, 2026 only. Smart pen with Bluetooth data recording via TempoSmart app. Patients should transition to KwikPen.
Basaglar KwikPens are not in a formal FDA shortage as of 2026 — Eli Lilly has confirmed national availability and the ASHP updated its insulin glargine bulletin on March 25, 2026 confirming Basaglar KwikPens are available. The findability score of 78 reflects generally good availability with some localized stock gaps at individual pharmacies.
The primary cause of localized shortages is demand displacement: the December 2025 discontinuation of Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) redirected millions of patients simultaneously to remaining insulin glargine products (Basaglar, Lantus, Rezvoglar), causing inventory gaps at pharmacies that weren't prepared for the surge. Insurance formulary updates following the Semglee exit are adding additional friction at the point of dispensing. The Basaglar Tempo Pen is also being discontinued by end of 2026 (available through July 27, 2026), which may create additional localized availability issues for that specific format.
If you're having trouble filling your Basaglar prescription, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have Basaglar KwikPens in stock, returning results via text message. This is significantly faster than calling each pharmacy yourself, especially during periods of elevated demand.
Basaglar is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA registration requirements for prescribers. Any licensed healthcare professional with prescribing authority in their state can write a Basaglar prescription. This includes:
Because Basaglar is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth without the same restrictions that apply to Schedule II medications. Many primary care and endocrinology telehealth platforms can prescribe and refill Basaglar via virtual appointment — often same-day for refill requests.
No. Basaglar (insulin glargine injection) is not classified as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Insulin products do not have a DEA schedule number and are not subject to controlled substance prescribing restrictions.
Basaglar does require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. However, because it is not a controlled substance, there are no limits on the quantity prescribed per prescription, no mandatory prescriber registration with the DEA, and no restrictions on telehealth prescribing. Prescriptions can be phoned, faxed, or sent electronically to pharmacies — there are no special prescription form requirements.
This makes Basaglar accessible via telehealth appointments, and pharmacists do not need to apply any quantity limits beyond what is clinically indicated. Early refills are also permissible under most insurance plans for insulin, given its critical-need status for people with diabetes.
The most common side effects of Basaglar (≥5% incidence in clinical trials) include:
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Lantus (insulin glargine, Sanofi)
Originator U-100 insulin glargine. Same amino acid sequence as Basaglar. 1:1 dose conversion. Requires new prescription — not pharmacist-interchangeable with Basaglar.
Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr, Eli Lilly)
FDA-designated biosimilar interchangeable with Lantus. U-100 formulation. 1:1 dose conversion from Basaglar. Pharmacists can substitute for Lantus without new Rx.
Toujeo (insulin glargine U-300, Sanofi)
Concentrated insulin glargine at 300 units/mL. Potentially longer, flatter action curve. Start at 80% of Basaglar unit dose when switching. Provider supervision required.
Tresiba (insulin degludec, Novo Nordisk)
Ultra-long-acting basal insulin (>42 hours). More flexible dosing timing (up to 8-hour window). Available in U-100 and U-200. Different molecule from insulin glargine.
Levemir (insulin detemir, Novo Nordisk)
Long-acting basal insulin. Some patients require twice-daily dosing. 1:1 dose conversion starting point from Basaglar with close monitoring.
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Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone)
majorSignificantly reduce Basaglar effectiveness by causing insulin resistance and raising blood sugar. Even short steroid courses may require substantial Basaglar dose increases. Monitor blood sugar closely.
Thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone, rosiglitazone)
majorCombination with insulin increases risk of heart failure, fluid retention, and edema — even without prior cardiac history. Monitor for sudden weight gain, leg swelling, shortness of breath.
MAO Inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
majorSignificantly enhance Basaglar's blood-glucose-lowering effect, increasing hypoglycemia risk. Dose reduction and frequent monitoring required.
Beta-blockers (metoprolol, propranolol)
moderateCan mask hypoglycemia symptoms (especially racing heartbeat), making it harder to recognize dangerous blood sugar drops. May also have variable effects on blood sugar levels.
Alcohol
moderateCan lower blood sugar (especially on empty stomach) OR raise it (sugary drinks). Inhibits liver glucose release during hypoglycemia, making low blood sugar more dangerous and prolonged.
Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glimepiride, glyburide)
moderateAdditive blood-glucose-lowering effect increases hypoglycemia risk. Monitor frequently when combining with Basaglar. Dose adjustments of either medication may be needed.
Fluoxetine (Prozac) and SSRIs
minorMay improve insulin sensitivity and enhance Basaglar's effect, increasing hypoglycemia risk. Monitor blood sugar when starting or changing SSRI doses.
Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone)
moderateCan reduce Basaglar's effectiveness by raising blood sugar and causing insulin resistance. May require Basaglar dose increase if blood sugar control worsens.
Basaglar (insulin glargine 100 units/mL) is a well-established, effective basal insulin that provides once-daily glycemic control for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and children ages 6 and older with Type 1 diabetes. Its peakless pharmacodynamic profile makes it well-suited for providing steady background insulin coverage throughout the day and night. Lilly's savings programs — including the $35/month cash savings card — make it accessible for many patients regardless of insurance status.
The primary challenge for Basaglar patients in 2026 is localized pharmacy availability — not a national supply shortage. Demand displacement from the December 2025 Semglee discontinuation has created temporary inventory gaps at some pharmacies. Additionally, patients on the Basaglar Tempo Pen should transition to the KwikPen now, as the Tempo Pen will be unavailable after July 27, 2026.
If you're struggling to find Basaglar at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your Basaglar prescription and sends results to you by text — saving you the time and frustration of calling pharmacies yourself. With the right tools and savings programs, staying on your insulin should be manageable even in today's disrupted market.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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