Levemir

What is Levemir?

Levemir, also known as insulin-manmade, is a synthetic form of the hormone produced by the body. Insulin lowers the levels of sugar (glucose) in your blood.Levemir, a long-acting type of insulin, starts working several hours after the injection and continues to work evenly for up to 24 hours.Levemir helps improve blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes. This medicine can be used by adults and children over 2 years of age.

Warnings

Levemir should not be used if you have an allergy to insulin detemir or have diabetic ketoacidosis. (Call your doctor and ask for a short-acting form of insulin.)Do not share an injection pen or syringe of Levemir with anyone else, even if it has had the needle changed.Levemir can interact with many other drugs. You must tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medications that you take. Included are prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamin, and vitamin products. Never start a new medicine without consulting your doctor.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can happen if you miss a meal, over-exercise, drink alcohol, or are stressed. Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening if you overdose on insulin. Know how to identify the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): headache, weakness, sweating, or tremors. Make sure that your family members and friends are aware of how to assist you in case of an emergency.

Before you take this drug

Levemir should not be used if you have an allergy to iinsulin-detemir. Use Levemir only if you are experiencing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Levemir will be safe for you:

• Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) in the blood
• Liver or kidney disease

Inform your doctor if, in addition to pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, you are also taking glimepiride (or metformin). Certain oral diabetes medications can increase the risk of heart problems when taken with Levemir.Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or nursing.It is important to control diabetes during pregnancy. High blood sugar can cause complications for both mother and baby.

How to take Levemir?

Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.Read all instructions listed on your prescription label carefully.Levemir can be injected into the skin. You may be taught how to use the medicine by a healthcare provider.Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you don't understand, seek help from either your physician or pharmacist.Only prepare an injection when you're ready to administer it. If the medicine is cloudy, has changed colour, or contains particles, do not use it. For new medicine, call your pharmacist.Your healthcare provider can show you the best place to inject Levemir. Each time you inject, use a new place. Don't inject in the same spot twice.This medicine should not be injected into damaged skin that is scaly, thickened, or pitted.Use the injection before bedtime or after dinner if you only use it once a day. Use the evening dose of this medicine for at least 12 hours following your morning dose if you use it twice daily.You may be asked by your doctor to use a shorter-acting form of insulin. Always inject your insulin separately. Levemir cannot be mixed with insulin pumps or other insulins. Don't inject into a vein or muscle.Use only the Levemir-supplied injection pen if you are using an injection pen. Attach a fresh needle to the pen before each use. Transferring insulin from a pen to a syringe is not recommended.Even if you have changed the needle, never share an injection pen or syringe. These devices can spread infections and diseases from person to person.Only use a needle or syringe once, and then store them in a "sharps container" that is puncture-proof. Be sure to follow local or state laws on how to properly dispose of the container. Keep the container out of reach from pets and children.If you have hypoglycemia, you may feel dizzy, irritable, or confused. You might also be shaky. If you want to treat hypoglycemia quickly, consume or drink something that will provide sugar fast (fruit juices, hard candies, crackers, or raisins).In the event of severe hypoglycemia, your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injectable kit. Make sure that your family and friends are familiar with how to administer this injection in case of an emergency.Watch for signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), such as increased thirst and urination.Stress can affect blood sugar levels. Other factors that may influence blood sugar include illness, surgery, or alcohol consumption. Consult your doctor before changing the dose or schedule of your medication.Levemir may be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Regular blood sugar tests, as well as special medical care, are also included. You should follow your doctor's advice.This medicine should be kept in the original container, away from heat and sunlight. You should not transfer insulin from the vial to a syringe before you are ready for an injection. Store insulin away from the cooling element of a fridge. Do not use any frozen insulin.

Levemir:

• Use within the expiration date.
• Use within 42 days. Store it at room temperature.

Storing open (in use) Levemir

• Use the vial within 42 days. Store this in either the fridge or at room temperature for best results.
• Use the pen within 42 days. Store at room temperature. Store the pen without the needle.

Wear or carry medical identification in case of an emergency to alert others that you have diabetes.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you forget to take a dose, call your doctor. Always keep insulin handy. Refill your prescription before you run completely out.

What happens if I overdose?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An insulin overdose can lead to life-threatening hypoglycemia. The symptoms include confusion, drowsiness or blurred vision, numbness in the mouth or tongue, difficulty speaking, muscle weakness, or jerky movements.

What should be avoided?

Insulin can cause low sugar levels. Do not drive or operate machinery until you have determined how the medication will affect you.Check the label of your medication before you inject it to avoid any mistakes.Avoid alcohol consumption.

Side effects of Levemir

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention: swelling or redness where an injection has been given; itchy or swollen skin; a rash on your entire body.

If you experience:

• Fluid retention: weight gain, swelling of your hands and feet, feeling out of breath, or
• Low sodium: leg cramps, constipation, increased thirst or urination, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.

Levemir is associated with the following side effects:

• Low blood sugar
• Weight gain
• Swelling in the hands and feet
• Itching, rash
• The skin may become thicker or hollower where the medication was injected.

There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for FDA reporting purposes call them on 800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drug

Other medicines can also affect your blood glucose, and some can increase or decrease insulin's effects. You may also experience fewer hypoglycemia symptoms if you take certain drugs, making it more difficult to detect low blood sugar. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are taking and those you plan to take. You can include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.