Insulin detemir

Overview

Insulin detemir, sold under the brand name Levemir among others, is a long-acting modified form of medical insulin used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is used by injection under the skin. It is effective for up to 24 hours.[1] WP⚠ Wikipedia itself has flagged this text: citation needed.

Common side effects include low blood sugar, allergic reactions, pain at the site of injection, and weight gain. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding appears safe. It works by increasing the amount of glucose that tissues take in and decreasing the amount of glucose made by the liver.[1][2] WP

Insulin detemir was approved for medical use in the European Union in June 2004, and in the United States in June 2005. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2023, it was the 153rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions.[1][3–7] WP

Novo is discontinuing production of insulin detemir, with supplies in the UK expected to run out in December 2026.[8][9] WP

Uses, dosage and effects

Medical use

It is used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A recent Cochrane systematic review also compared the effects of insulin detemir to NPH insulin and other insulin analogues (insulin glargine, insulin degludec) in both children and adults with Type 1 diabetes. With respect to blood sugar management, it appears to work better than NPH insulin, however this finding was inconsistent across included and previous studies. In the same systematic review no other clinically significant differences were found between different insulin analogues in either adults nor children.[1][10] WP

Risks and side effects

Side effects

Common side effects include low blood sugar, allergic reactions, pain at the site of injection, and weight gain. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding appears safe.[1][2] WP

Legal status

Society and culture

In June 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory for insulin determir after learning that 129,000 stolen vials reappeared and were being sold in the U.S. market. The FDA warned that the stolen vials "may not have been stored and handled properly and may be dangerous for patients to use." The stolen vials were identified as lots XZF0036, XZF0037, and XZF0038.[11] WP

Chemistry

Harm reduction information

No harm reduction data is on file for this compound yet. That means no dose, timing or combination data from PsychonautWiki or TripSit. Please don't guess a dose from similar compounds. If you have taken it and feel unwell, contact emergency services or a poison control center.

User reports

Pop culture

No references added yet.

Sources

1. Other Insulin Detemir Monograph for Professionals
2. Other Insulin detemir (Levemir) Use During Pregnancy. 12 June 2019
3. Journal / agency Levemir EPAR. 6 August 2009
4. Journal / agency Drug Approval Package: Levemir Insulin Detemir[rDNA origin] Injection; NDA #021536. 26 July 2005
5. Other The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). 2023
6. Other Top 300 of 2023
7. Other Insulin Detemir Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014 - 2023
8. Other Novo to Discontinue Long-Acting Insulin Injection Levemir by the End of 2024. 2023-11-09
9. Other Novo Nordisk to withdraw Levemir insulin – here's what you need to know
10. Journal / agency Hemmingsen B, Metzendorf MI, Richter B. (Ultra-)long-acting insulin analogues for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. March 2021. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd013498.pub2 · PMID 33662147 · PMC8094220
11. Journal / agency FDA Issues Public HeaLevemir has been discontinued lth Advisory Regarding Levemir Insulin. 13 June 2009

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