About Levemir Cartridges
(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
Insulin detemir is sold under the brand name Levemir. Levemir in Levemir Cartridges is long-acting and injected subcutaneously once or twice daily. It is used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In addition, it helps to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Levemir is a man-made modified form of insulin. It can be effective for up to 24 hours. Levemir is not meant for use to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Low blood sugar, allergic reactions, pain at the injection site, and weight gain are common side effects of using Levemir. Levemir helps to improve glucose intake by tissue cells and also helps to decrease the amount of glucose made by the liver.
What are precautions while using Levemir Cartridges?
- Visit your doctor regularly.
- Review the remaining amount in pen and the amount needed.
- Check the pen expiry date and date when last used.
- You may take Levemir inside Levemir Cartridges at any time during the day, but you must take it at the same time every day.
- Ensure Levemir is clear and colorless.
- You should inject Levemir under the skin (subcutaneously) of your
- upper legs (thighs), upper arms, or abdomen.
- Rotate injection site.
- Do not inject Levemir intravenously.
- Do not inject where the skin is thickened, lumps, tender, bruised, scaly or hard.
- Levemir should not be mixed with any other type of insulin or liquid
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.
- Always check Levemir Cartridges expiry date and label
- Keep Levemir Cartridges and associated medicines out of the reach of children.
What is dosage using Levemir Cartridges?
You can administer Levemir subcutaneously once or twice daily.
- Administering ONCE – Inject Levemir with the evening meal or at bedtime.
- Administering TWICE –
- Morning Dose – as per doctors’ advice
- Evening dose with the evening meal, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose.
The doctor will adjust the dose based on your metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results, glycemic control goal, physical activity, changes in meal patterns, changes in renal or hepatic function, or during acute illness to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. In addition, your doctor may add other medicine for type 1 diabetes.
Starting Dosage of Levemir Cartridges
- Recommended Starting Dosage in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus is around one-third to one-half of the total daily insulin dose.
- Starting Dosage in Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus is recommended – 10 units (or 0.1 units/kg to 0.2 units/kg). It is given once daily in the evening or divided into a twice-daily regimen.
Warnings using Levemir Cartridges/FlexTouch pen
- Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia – Any change in meal pattern, physical activities, dosage, etc., poses a risk of Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia.
- LEVEMIR, or any insulin, should not be used during episodes of hypoglycemia.
- The risk of hypoglycemia is higher in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
- Hypoglycemia Due to Medication Errors
- Hypersensitivity Reactions – Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulins, including Levemir. You should inform your doctor and stop using Levemir.
- Hypokalemia – Usage of insulin may possibly lead to hypokalemia.
- Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death.
- Fluid Retention and Heart Failure with Concomitant use of PPAR-gamma Agonists Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) caused by dose-related fluid retention when used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure.
Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia may include:
- dizziness or lightheartedness
- blurred vision
- anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
- sweating
- slurred speech
- hunger
- confusion or drowsiness
- shakiness
- weakness
- headache
- fast heartbeat
- feeling jittery
There may be some other possible side effects. Consult your doctor immediately for medical advice about side effects that start to bother you.
How to Store Levemir Cartridges?
3 mL single-patient-use Levemir Cartridges or Levemir FlexTouch pen
- Not used – Refrigerated until the expiry date
- Not used – Room Temperature for 42 days or until expiry.
- Used – Do not refrigerate. Keep at room temperature for 42 days or until expiry.
Do not forget to carry the reusable Levemir FlexTouch Pen and Levemir Cartridges. Never leave it in a car or any place that could get too hot or cold. Always keep an extra insulin delivery device on hand in case your Levemir FlexPen is misplaced or broken.
You can buy Levemir Cartridges with Northern Insulin at a cheaper rate.
Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Because your cells become more responsive to insulin while you are active, your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can be lowered more successfully. Take your medications regularly and follow up with your healthcare specialist.
