An update on the long-acting insulin analogue glargine.

For both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, tight glycaemic control is vital to reduce the risk of long-term complications. However, this must be achieved with minimal risk of hypoglycaemia. Glargine is a new long-acting insulin analogue with an action profile designed to overcome this and has now been in clinical use for a number of years. In many countries glargine is widely used. Here we present an update on the clinical information available on glargine with respect to glycaemic control, the risk of hypoglycaemia and quality of life in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.