What is Levemir (insulin detemir)?
Levemir or insulin detemir refers to a man made insulin that is used to lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the pancreas that transports glucose from the blood to various tissues. In case there is no enough insulin, glucose will not be able to enter the cells for energy. This will lead to a build up of glucose in the blood. Levemir is used to treat adults and children above 2 years with type 1 diabetes, and adults with type 2 diabetes. Insulin detemir replaces the natural insulin our bodies make. It works by helping glucose get into the cells. This medication can be used alone or with other diabetes medication such as metformin.
Levemir insulin peak times, onset and duration of action
Levemir is a long acting insulin, which starts to work hours after being taken and can last up to 24 hours. Insulin detemir works longer compared to regular insulin, providing your body with low and steady flow of insulin. The rate at which this medication is absorbed will depend on your dose and number of times you are taking it per day. Usually, levemir onset is between 3 to 4 hours, while peak is between 6 to 8 hours. Like most insulin, levemir onset and duration of action can be affected by conditions such as stress, changes in meal patterns, exercise or illness.
—
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
