Detemir Vs. Levemir

What is Detemir?

Detemir, or Insulin Detemir, is a recombinant human insulin analog that lowers high blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours after injection. Detemir is a man-made form of insulin modified from an actual human insulin to function in the same manner but for all-day glycemic control.

Insulin Detemir is one of the several kinds of long-acting basal insulin. Long-acting basal insulin provide consistent, gradual regulation of blood glucose levels for all-day management. The onset of insulin detemir is one to two hours after injection, and it peaks after six to eight hours. Insulin detemir lasts for up to 24 hours in the body before being safely absorbed by the body.

What is Levemir?

Levemir is an insulin medication that regulates blood glucose levels in individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Levemir is inserted deep under the skin subcutaneously once or twice a day, depending on the dosage and the body’s reception to the solution.

The active ingredient in Levemir is insulin detemir. Levemir is available in a 10 mL vial or 3 mL FlexTouch pen which both contain 100 units of insulin detemir per mL (U-100) in the solution.

Levemir is prescribed for adults and children age 2 years old and above with Type 1 diabetes, while it is only available for adults age 18 years old and above for Type 2 diabetes. For individuals with Type 1 diabetes, Levemir must be used together with a short-acting insulin or rapid acting insulin.

Difference Between Detemir and Levemir

There is no difference between these two medications since Levemir is the brand name of insulin detemir. Insulin detemir does not have a generic name, nor is it offered through another brand name.