Long-acting Insulin (Antidiabetic)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Recombinant Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin injection that works slowly and steadily over 24 hours to help control your blood sugar levels — it acts like the background insulin your body is supposed to produce naturally.
Binds to insulin receptors on muscle, fat, and liver cells, promoting glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis while inhibiting hepatic glucose production, thereby lowering blood glucose levels over 24 hours with a peakless profile.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
This is an injection given under the skin (not into a vein), usually once a day at the same time every day. Your doctor will tell you exactly how many units to inject based on your blood sugar readings. Common injection sites are the belly, upper arm, or thigh — rotate the spot each time. It is sold in Nigeria as Basagine Injection 100 units/mL. Never share your insulin pen or needle with another person.
If you miss your daily dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take two doses in one day. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule. Check your blood sugar more often that day and contact your doctor if your sugar is very high.
Always buy your insulin from a reputable pharmacy — insulin that has been stored in heat or direct sun (like from roadside sellers) may not work and can be dangerous. Learn to recognize the signs of low blood sugar (shaking, sweating, dizziness) and always carry sweets, glucose tablets, or a sugary drink with you. Never adjust your insulin dose on your own without your doctor's guidance.
Some blood pressure medicines (like atenolol or propranolol) can hide the warning signs of low blood sugar, making it harder to know when your sugar drops. Alcohol can cause your blood sugar to drop dangerously low — avoid drinking or be very careful. Some diabetes tablets like glimepiride or metformin taken together with insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, so your doctor needs to adjust your doses carefully.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Recombinant with your other drugs?
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor — insulin is generally considered safer than diabetes tablets during pregnancy, but your dose will need careful adjustment.
Before opening, store in a refrigerator (2–8°C) — if you have no fridge, keep it in the coolest, darkest part of your house away from direct sunlight and heat. Once opened, Basagine can be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 28 days — after that, throw it away even if there is insulin left. Do not freeze it. Keep away from children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.