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Compare Lantus vs. Levemir

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Lantus (insulin glargine)
Levemir (insulin detemir)
Lantus (insulin glargine)
Levemir (insulin detemir)

Summary of Lantus vs. Levemir

Summary for Insulin
Prescription only

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin. It's used to manage blood sugar levels in adults and children with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Lantus (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin, typically once daily or as directed by your healthcare team. Your care team will determine your dose of Lantus (insulin glargine) based on different factors, such as your diet and blood sugar levels. Lantus (insulin glargine) comes as a vial and a prefilled insulin pen (Lantus Solostar). Some side effects of this medication include redness and swelling at the injection site, and upper respiratory tract infections.

Summary for Insulin
Prescription only

Levemir (insulin detemir) is a long-acting insulin that helps control high blood sugar levels in children and adults. It's injected under the skin, typically once or twice daily. Like all insulins, Levemir (insulin detemir) can raise your risk for low blood sugar, so make sure to keep fast-acting sugars with you in case your blood sugar level drops too low. This medication comes in vials. But it's also available as a Flexpen for people who have trouble drawing up insulin from the vial.

Indications of Lantus vs. Levemir

Indications for
•Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
•Type 2 diabetes (T2D)
Indications for
•Type 1 diabetes
•Type 2 diabetes

Pros and Cons of Lantus vs. Levemir

Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros
•Can control your blood sugar levels for about 24 hours
•Typically injected once daily
•Approved for children and adults
•Available as a vial and pre-filled pen
Cons
•Given as an injection
•Raises risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels
•Might cause weight gain
•Can't be mixed with other insulins within the same syringe
Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros
•Lower risk of weight gain compared to some other types of insulin
•Doses can be adjusted to meet your body's needs
•Insulin pens available for people who've trouble using insulin vials
•Provides blood sugar control for up to 24 hours
Cons
•Must be injected
•Might need to inject it twice daily
•Can cause low blood sugar
•No generic option available

Common Side Effects of Lantus vs. Levemir

Common Side Effects for

Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 29%)
•Swelling in the hands or feet (20%)
•High blood pressure (20%)
•Flu, sinus infections, or bronchitis (up to 19%)
•Cataract (15%)
•Joint pain (14%)
•Pain in the hands and feet (13%)
•Back pain (13%)
•Cough (12%)
•Urinary tract infection (11%)
•Diarrhea (11%)
•Depression (11%)
•Headache (10%)

Note: People with T1D typically experienced less side effects than people with T2D, but are at higher risk for hypoglycemia.

Common Side Effects for
•Shakiness, hunger, and other symptoms of low blood sugar (up to 93%, depending on what other blood sugar medications you're taking)
•Common cold involving the nose, throat, and lungs (up to 27%)
•Headache (up to 23%)
•Pain or irritation of the throat (10%)
•Back pain (8%)
•Fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms (up to 8%)
•Stomach pain (6%)

Please note: These side effects were reported by people who took Levemir (insulin detemir) for type 1 diabetes. Your risk for side effects might be different if you have type 2 diabetes.

Warnings of Lantus vs. Levemir

Common Side Effects for
•Risk of serious infections
•Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
•Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
•Low blood potassium levels
•Swelling and heart failure
•Severe allergic reactions
Common Side Effects for
•Infections
•Low blood sugar
•Severe allergic reactions
•Low blood potassium levels
•Swelling from fluids and risk of heart failure

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