Levemir – what it is, how to use it and side effects!

Levemir is indicated for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children over 2 years of age. Levemir can also be used in combination with oral antidiabetic agents, or as adjunctive therapy to liraglutide (Victoza), for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults.

What is levemir?

Levemir (insulin detemir) is a human form of insulin, a hormone produced in the body. Insulin works by lowering blood glucose (sugar) levels. Insulin detemir is a long-acting insulin that starts working several hours after injection and continues to work evenly for 24 hours.

It is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. In addition, it is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It is also used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes in adults and children at least 2 years of age.

Important information about levemir:

You should not use levemir if you are allergic to insulin detemir or if you are in diabetic ketoacidosis (contact your doctor for treatment with a short-acting insulin). Never share an injection pen or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed.

Many other medicines can interfere with the effects of levemir . It is extremely important that you tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter products, vitamins and herbs. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

• headache ;
• hunger, weakness;
• sweating;
• tremors;
• irritability or difficulty concentrating.

Levemir side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an insulin allergy to levemir : redness or swelling at the injection site, itchy skin rash on your body, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling faint, or swelling of your tongue or throat.

• Call your doctor right away if you have:
• Low blood sugar;
• itching, mild rash;
• thickening or emptying of the skin where you injected the medicine.

Precautions before taking Levemir:

You should not use levemir if you are allergic to insulin detemir or if you are experiencing an episode of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Levemir should not be given to children under 2 years of age. Furthermore. should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes in children of any age.

To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;
• low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia);
• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medications while using them can increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Follow your doctor’s instructions on using levemir if you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and your dose needs may be different during each trimester of pregnancy. Your dose needs may also be different while you are breast-feeding.

Ask your doctor about using levemir if you are breastfeeding a baby. Your dose needs may be different while you are breastfeeding.

What happens if I miss a dose of levemir?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of levemir . Keep insulin close at hand. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medication completely.

What happens if you overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention. Insulin overdose can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia. Symptoms include drowsiness, mental confusion, blurred vision , numbness or tingling in the mouth, difficulty speaking, muscle weakness, clumsy or jerky movements, seizures (convulsions), or loss of consciousness.

What to avoid using levemir?

Insulin can cause low blood sugar. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Avoid medication errors by always checking the medication label before injecting insulin.

Avoid drinking alcohol . It can cause low blood sugar and interfere with diabetes treatment .

Other information:

• Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others and use levemir only for the indication
• prescribed.
• Always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.