Levemir: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.

com

1 of 4

http://www.drugs.com/levemir.html

Prescription Toujeo is a long-acting insulin used to control

blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus.
Click Here for Full Prescribing Information

Levemir
Generic Name: insulin detemir (IN su lin DE te mir)
Brand Names: Levemir, Levemir FlexPen

What is Levemir?
Levemir (insulin detemir) is a man-made form of insulin, a hormone that is produced in the body. It works by
lowering levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Levemir is a long-acting form of insulin that is slightly different
from other forms of insulin that are not man-made.
Levemir is used to treat type 2 diabetes

in adults.

Levemir is also used to treat type 1 diabetes

in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

Levemir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information
You should not use Levemir if you are allergic to insulin detemir, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis
(call your doctor for treatment with a short-acting insulin).
Many other drugs can potentially interfere with the effects of Levemir. It is extremely important that you tell your
doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes prescription,
over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal , exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under
stress. An insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia. Know the signs of low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them: headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or
trouble concentrating. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Before using Levemir?

You should not use Levemir if you are allergic to insulin detemir, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis
(call your doctor for treatment with a short-acting insulin).
To make sure you can safely take Levemir, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or if you are
taking any other medications.
FDA pregnancy category B. Levemir is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether insulin detemir passes into
breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.

5/24/2016 10:06 AM

Levemir: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

http://www.drugs.com/levemir.html

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Levemir?

Use Levemir exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your blood sugar will need to be checked often,
and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.
Levemir is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self inject this
medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and
syringes. If you use this medicine once daily, use the injection at your evening meal or at bedtime. If you use
the medicine twice daily, use your evening dose at least 12 hours after your morning dose.
Your doctor may want you to use a short-acting insulin in addition to Levemir. Always inject your insulins
separately. Do not mix or dilute Levemir with any other insulin. Do not use an insulin pump.
Levemir should be thin, clear, and colorless. Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy, has changed colors, or
has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. Choose a different place in your injection skin
area each time you use this medication. Do not inject Levemir into the same place two times in a row.
Never share an injection pen or cartridge with another person. Sharing injection pens or cartridges can allow
disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.
Needles may not be included with the injection pen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which brand and type of
needle to use with the pen. Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of
the reach of children and pets.
Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them: headache, hunger, weakness,
sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating.
Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources
include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use
an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell
you how to give the injection. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
Also watch for signs of blood sugar that is too high (hyperglycemia). These symptoms include increased thirst,
increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss.
Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink
alcohol, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change.
Your doctor may want you to stop taking Levemir for a short time if you become ill, have a fever or infection, or
if you have surgery or a medical emergency.
Ask your doctor how to adjust your Levemir dose if needed. Do not change your medication dose or schedule
without your doctor's advice. Storing unopened vials or injection pens: Keep in the carton and store in a
refrigerator, protected from light. Throw away any insulin not used before the expiration date on the medicine
label. Unopened vials or injection pens may also be stored at room temperature for up to 42 days, away from
heat and bright light. Storing vials after your first use: Keep the "in-use" vials in a refrigerator or at room
temperature.
Storing injection pens after your first use: Keep the "in-use" injection pens at room temperature. Do not

2 of 4

5/24/2016 10:06 AM

Levemir: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

3 of 4

http://www.drugs.com/levemir.html

refrigerate.
Throw away any Levemir kept at room temperature and not used within 42 days.
Do not freeze Levemir, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen.
See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Follow your doctor's directions if you miss a dose of insulin. It is important to keep Levemir on hand at all times.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An insulin overdose can
cause life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, confusion, tremors, sweating, fast heart rate,
trouble speaking, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid?

Do not change the brand of insulin detemir or syringe you are using without first talking to your doctor or
pharmacist. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar.

Levemir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of insulin allergy to Levemir: itching skin rash over
the entire body, wheezing, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, or feeling like you might pass out.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
itching, swelling, or redness where you inject Levemir;
swelling in your hands or feet; or
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle
weakness or limp feeling).
Less serious Levemir side effects may include:
thickening of the skin where you inject Levemir;
weight gain;
mild headache, back pain;
stomach pain; or
flu symptoms, or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side
effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Levemir?

5/24/2016 10:06 AM

Levemir: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

4 of 4

http://www.drugs.com/levemir.html

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially other diabetes medications such as:
exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon);
liraglutide (Victoza); or
any oral (taken by mouth) diabetes medications, especially metformin (Glucophage, Actoplus Met,
Avandamet, Glucovance, Janumet, Jentadueto, Kombiglyze, Metaglip, or Prandimet).
Using certain medicines can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Tell your doctor if
you use any of the following:
asthma medication;
cholesterol-lowering medication;
heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic (water pill);
medicine to treat depression or psychiatric disorders;
steroid medication;
sulfa drugs; or
thyroid replacement medication.
This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can increase or decrease the effects of Levemir
on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor about all medications you use; prescription and over the counter
drugs, vitamins, minerals, or herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Levemir.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the
indication prescribed.
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed
healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the
expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not
intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
Copyright 1996-2016 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.02. Revision Date: 2012-06-12, 1:45:08 PM.

5/24/2016 10:06 AM