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Compare Levemir vs. Apidra

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

Key takeaways

Levemir (insulin detemir) and Apidra (insulin glulisine) are both insulins used to manage diabetes, but they have different purposes and characteristics. Levemir is a long-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours and is typically injected once or twice daily. In contrast, Apidra is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and is used to control blood sugar spikes around meal times. You usually inject Apidra within 15 minutes before or 20 minutes after eating. Levemir is available in vials and FlexPens, while Apidra comes in vials, pre-filled pens, and can also be used in insulin pumps. Levemir Flexpens has been discontinued as of April 2024 and vials will be discontinued by December 2024, whereas Apidra comes in brand only. Both insulins can cause low blood sugar, but Apidra has a higher risk due to its rapid action. Additionally, Apidra can be mixed with NPH insulin, while Levemir should not be mixed with other insulins within the same syringes.

Levemir (insulin detemir)
Apidra (insulin glulisine)
Levemir (insulin detemir)
Apidra (insulin glulisine)
Summary of Levemir vs. Apidra
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.
Summary for Insulin
Prescription only
Insulin glulisine is a rapid-acting insulin that's available as a vial (Apidra) and a pre-filled pen (Apidra Solostar). It's used to control blood sugar from meals for people with either Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Apidra (insulin glulisine) is given under the skin as either a quick injection or continuously through an insulin pump. It can also be given as an injection through the veins (IV) for people in the hospital. Side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and common cold symptoms.
Indications of Levemir vs. Apidra
Indications for

•Type 1 diabetes

•Type 2 diabetes

Indications for

•Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in people ages 4 years and older

•Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people ages 18 years and older
Pros and Cons of Levemir vs. Apidra
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

Pros and Const for Insulin
Pros

•Works within 15 minutes to lower blood sugar

•Available as a prefilled pen, which might be easier to use than the vial

•Can be used with some insulin pumps

•Can be mixed with NPH insulin (e.g., Novolin N), if instructed by your care team

Cons

•Raises risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels

•Given as an injection

•Might need to inject multiple times a day

•Might cause weight gain
Common Side Effects of Levemir vs. Apidra
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.
Common Side Effects for
Type 1 diabetes

•Common cold (11%)

•Low blood sugar (up to 7%)

•Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)

•Headache (7%) - children only

•Seizure from low blood sugar (6%) - children only

•Flu (4%)

Type 2 diabetes

•Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 11%)

•Common cold (8%)

•Swelling in the hands, ankles, or legs (8%)

•Flu (6%)

•Joint pain (6%)
Warnings of Levemir vs. Apidra
Common Side Effects for

•Infections

•Low blood sugar

•Severe allergic reactions

•Low blood potassium levels

•Swelling from fluids and risk of heart failure

Common Side Effects for

•Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies

•Risk of high and low blood sugar levels

•Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)

•Allergic reaction

•Low blood potassium levels

•Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure

•Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)
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Compare Levemir vs. Apidra

Key takeaways

Summary of Levemir vs. Apidra

Indications of Levemir vs. Apidra

Pros and Cons of Levemir vs. Apidra

Common Side Effects of Levemir vs. Apidra

Warnings of Levemir vs. Apidra

Prices with our coupons for Levemir vs. Apidra

Compare other Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1 drugs

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