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Levemir vs. Actos

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

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.

Levemir

(insulin detemir)

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Pioglitazone

(Actos)

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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.

Warnings for Levemir

  • Infections
  • Low blood sugar
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Low blood potassium levels
  • Swelling from fluids and risk of heart failure

Summary for Actos

Prescription only

Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise. It's a thiazolidinedione, which works by helping your body respond better to insulin. This medication is taken by mouth once a day and is available in both brand and generic forms. Side effects include headache, swelling in the body, and weight gain. There's also a serious warning that it can cause or worsen heart failure.

Indications for Actos

Pros and Cons for Actos

Pros

  • Only taken once a day
  • Rarely causes dangerously low blood sugar when taken by itself
  • Can be taken with or without food

Cons

  • Can cause fluid buildup in the body
  • Not safe for people with moderate to severe heart failure
  • Not a good choice for people with bladder cancer

Common Side Effects for Actos

  • Swelling (27%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (13%)
  • Headache (9%)
  • Heart failure (8%)
  • Sinus infection (6%)
  • Pain in the arms and legs (6%)

Side effects above are for pioglitazone (Actos) taken alone. These might differ if it's taken with other medications.

Warnings for Actos

  • Heart failure and swelling
  • Low blood sugar (when used with other medications)
  • Liver problems
  • Bladder cancer
  • Risk of bone fractures
  • Eye problems

Prices with our coupons for Levemir vs. Actos

Price Card Drug Icon
Levemir1 vial / 10ml of 100 units/ml
$109.79-
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Price Card Drug Icon
Pioglitazone30 tablets / 30mg
$12.52$19.04
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