Key takeaways
Levemir (insulin detemir) and Actos (pioglitazone) are both used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways and are used for different types of diabetes. Levemir is a long-acting insulin injected under the skin, typically once or twice daily, and is used for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours. Actos, on the other hand, is an oral medication taken once daily and is only used for type 2 diabetes. It improves your body's ability to use insulin. Levemir can cause low blood sugar and needs to be injected, while Actos rarely causes dangerously low blood sugar but may take several weeks to show its full effect. Actos can also cause weight gain and fluid build-up, which can lead to heart failure, and it has a risk of bladder cancer. Levemir Flexpens has been discontinued as of April 2024 and vials will be discontinued by December 2024 whereas Actos has generics available.
