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Less variation in insulin absorption for Levemir® patients

Levemir® provided more consistent insulin absorption and action than insulin glargine1-3

Levemir® offered consistent insulin absorption and action in a 24-hour glucose clamp study.2

Levemir® time-action profile

The lines shown represent individual insulin action profiles as seen in a 24-hour glucose clamp study evaluating the overall glucodynamic effect of 4 separate insulin injections (once per day) in patients taking Levemir® or insulin glargine (P<0.001). The insulin action profile of NPH insulin also was included in this study; however, it is not illustrated here.2

Adapted from Heise et al, 2004.2

  • Levemir® demonstrated a lower coefficient of variation than insulin glargine (27% and 48%, respectively; P<0.001)2
    • The clinical significance of this difference has not been established

References:

  1. Klein O, Lynge J, Endhal L, Damholt B, Nosek L, Heise T. Albumin-bound basal insulin analogues (insulin detemir and NN344): comparable time-action profiles but less variability than insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2007;9(3):290-299.
  2. Heise T, Nosek L, Rønn BB, et al. Lower within-subject variability of insulin detemir in comparison to NPH insulin and insulin glargine in people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes. 2004;53(6):1614-1620.
  3. Danne T, Datz N, Endahl L, et al. Insulin detemir is characterized by a more reproducible pharmacokinetic profile than insulin glargine in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: results from a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Pediatr Diabetes. 2008;9(6):554-560.

  1. Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) Indications and Usage

    Levemir® is indicated for once- or twice-daily subcutaneous administration for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who require basal (long-acting) insulin for the control of hyperglycemia.

    Levemir® Important Safety Information

    Levemir® is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to insulin detemir or one of its excipients.

    Levemir® should not be diluted or mixed with any other insulin preparations.

    Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect of all insulin therapies, including Levemir®. As with other insulins, the timing of hypoglycemic events may differ among various insulin preparations. Glucose monitoring is recommended for all patients with diabetes. Levemir® is not to be used in insulin infusion pumps. Any change of insulin dose should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Concomitant oral antidiabetes treatment may require adjustment.

    Needles and Levemir® FlexPen® must not be shared.

    Inadequate dosing or discontinuation of treatment may lead to hyperglycemia and, in patients with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis. Insulin may cause sodium retention and edema, particularly if previously poor metabolic control is improved by intensified insulin therapy. Dose and timing of administration may need to be adjusted to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia in patients being switched to Levemir® from other intermediate or long-acting insulin preparations. The dose of Levemir® may need to be adjusted in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.

    Other adverse events commonly associated with insulin therapy may include injection site reactions (on average, 3% to 4% of patients in clinical trials) such as lipodystrophy, redness, pain, itching, hives, swelling, and inflammation. Less common but more serious are severe cases of generalized allergy, including anaphylactic reaction, which may be life threatening.

    *Whether these observed differences represent true differences in the effects of Levemir®, NPH insulin, and insulin glargine is not known since these trials were not blinded and the protocols (e.g., diet and exercise instructions and monitoring) were not specifically directed at exploring hypotheses related to weight effects of the treatments compared. The clinical significance of the observed differences in weight has not been established.

    Please see Prescribing InformationPrescribing Information.

FlexPen® and Levemir® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. NovoMedLink™ is a trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.