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Compare Levemir vs. Humalog

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

Key takeaways

Levemir (insulin detemir) and Humalog (insulin lispro) 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, Humalog is a rapid-acting insulin that starts working within 15 minutes and is used to manage blood sugar spikes around meal times, requiring multiple daily injections. Levemir does not have a generic form, while Humalog is available in various prefilled pen options for convenience. Levemir is often used in combination with rapid-acting insulins like Humalog for comprehensive blood sugar management. Both medications can cause low blood sugar, but Humalog's rapid action makes it crucial to time injections closely with meals. Additionally, Levemir has a lower risk of weight gain compared to some other insulins, whereas Humalog can cause weight gain and requires careful monitoring to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels.

  • Levemir (insulin detemir)
    Humalog (insulin lispro)
  • Levemir (insulin detemir)
    Humalog (insulin lispro)

  • Summary of Levemir vs. Humalog

    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

    Humalog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It helps prevent and treat high blood sugar from meals. This medication lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar from your blood and into your body. Humalog (insulin lispro) is typically given as an injection under the skin. In certain situations, it's injected into the veins by a healthcare provider. Humalog (insulin lispro) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

  • Indications of Levemir vs. Humalog

    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Levemir vs. Humalog

    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
    •Starts to work within 15 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
    •Dose can be easily adjusted to make a treatment plan that's tailored to your specific needs
    •Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use
    •Can use at home after proper training
    •Can use in children as young as 3 years old with Type 1 diabetes
    Cons
    •Given multiple times a day (before each meal)
    •Must give as an injection
    •Might be hard for some people to take properly
    •Risk of low blood sugar
    •Can cause weight gain

  • Common Side Effects of Levemir vs. Humalog

    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:

    •Flu-like symptoms (35%)
    •Sore throat (33%)
    •Runny nose (25%)
    •Headache (30%)
    •Pain (20%)
    •Cough (17%)
    •Infection (14%)

    Type 2 diabetes:

    •Headache (12%)
    •Pain (11%)
    •Infection (10%)

  • Warnings of Levemir vs. Humalog

    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
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
    •Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

  • Prices with our coupons for Levemir vs. Humalog

    Learn more about Levemir
    Learn more about Humalog

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