Lantus vs. Levemir for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Lantus (insulin glargine) and Levemir (insulin detemir) are both long-acting insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. They are similar in that they help control blood sugar levels for about 24 hours and are administered via subcutaneous injection. However, there are some differences between the two medications. Lantus is typically injected once daily, while Levemir can be injected once or twice daily, depending on your dose and needs. Lantus is available as a vial and prefilled pens (Lantus Solostar), and Levemir is also available in vials and prefilled pens (Levemir FlexPen). Both Lantus and levemir may cause weight gain and low blood sugar as possible side effects. Lantus and Levemir should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe. While both insulins require a prescription, Levemir comes only as a brand-name medication but Lantus is available as a brand-name and generic medication.

Lantus

(insulin glargine)

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Levemir

(insulin detemir)

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Summary for Lantus

Prescription only

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a type of long-acting insulin. It's used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Lantus (insulin glargine) is injected under the skin once daily. Your dose will depend on a few things, such as the type of diabetes you have and your blood sugar levels. This medication comes in a vial (Lantus) as well as in a prefilled insulin pen (Lantus Solostar). Some side effects include upper respiratory tract infections. It can also cause redness and swelling at the injection site.

Indications for Lantus

Type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Type 2 diabetes (T2D)

Pros and Cons for Lantus

Pros

Helps keep your blood sugar controlled for about 24 hours
Injected once daily
Approved for both adults and children
Available as a vial and prefilled pen

Cons

Given as an injection under the skin
Has a risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar
Might cause weight gain
Can't be mixed with other insulins within the same syringe

Common Side Effects for Lantus

Type 1 diabetes

Upper respiratory tract infection (22%)
Other infection (9%)
Accidental injury (6%)
Headache (6%)

Type 2 diabetes

Upper respiratory tract infection (11%)
Other infection (10%)
Eye problem (6%)

Warnings for Lantus

Risk of infection from sharing pens and needles
Risk of changes to blood sugar levels with changes to your insulin routine
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low potassium levels
Swelling and risk of heart failure when using with certain diabetes medications
Severe allergic reaction

Summary for Levemir

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 for Levemir

Pros and Cons for Levemir

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 for Levemir

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.