Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Levemir, Levemir FlexTouch
- Antidiabetics, Insulins;
- Antidiabetics, Long-Acting Insulins
Description
Basal insulin analog administered subcutaneously once or twice daily
Used for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in adult and pediatric patients 2 years and older and adults with type 2 DM
Advantages vs. NPH insulin include less variability in patient response, less weight gain, and a decrease in hypoglycemia risk, including both nocturnal and severe hypoglycemia
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Contraindications
Systemic allergic reactions
During episodes of hypoglycemia
Adverse Effects
Hypoglycemia
Headache
Influenza-like symptoms
Pallor
Palpitation
Tachycardia
Mental confusion
Redness
Urticaria
Weakness
Blurred vision
Itching
Hunger
Nausea
Lipodystrophy
Lipohypertrophy
Local allergic reaction
Hypokalemia
Localized cutaneous amyloidosis
Warnings
Never share pen between patients even if needle is changed
Long-acting insulin; do not use for circumstances that require rapid-acting insulin
Use with caution in patients with decreased insulin requirements, including those with diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, malabsorption, hypothyroidism, renal impairment, or hepatic impairment
Rapid changes in serum glucose may induce symptoms of hypoglycemia
Frequent glucose monitoring and insulin dose reduction may be required with renal or hepatic impairment; not recommended during periods of rapidly declining renal or hepatic function, because of risk for prolonged hypoglycemia
May cause a shift in potassium from extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia; caution when coadministered with potassium-lowering drugs or conditions that may decrease potassium
Use with caution in patients with increased insulin requirements, including those with fever, hyperthyroidism, trauma, or infection or who have undergone surgery
Lower dose when used in combination with a GLP-1 receptor agonist to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia
Pregnancy and Lactation
Available data from published studies and postmarketing case reports in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes
Available data from published literature demonstrate that exogenous human insulin products, are transferred into human milk; there are no published reports of adverse reactions, including hypoglycemia, in breastfed infants exposed to exogenous human insulin products, including this drug, in breastmilk
Maximum Dosage
How supplied
Insulin detemir rDNA origin
injectable solution
- 100 units/mL (10mL vial)
prefilled syringe
- 100 units/mL (3mL FlexTouch)