Background: Insulin glargine is the first long-acting basal insulin analogue indicated for subcutaneous administration once daily at bedtime in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus and pediatric patients aged > or = 6 years with type 1 diabetes. It differs in structure from native human insulin by 3 amino acids, a structural modification that provides a delayed onset of action and a constant, peakless effect that has a duration of at least 24 hours.
Objective: The goal of this article was to help determine the current place in therapy of insulin glargine by reviewing all available efficacy and tolerability data published since its introduction onto the market.