Levemir Side Effects

• redness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection
• changes in the feel of your skin, skin thickening (fat build-up), or a little depression in the skin (fat breakdown)
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• vision changes
• weight gain
• constipation

There are more serious adverse side effects associated with Levemir:

• rash and/or itching over the whole body
• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• dizziness
• low blood pressure
• blurred vision
• fast heartbeat
• sweating
• weakness
• muscle cramps
• abnormal heartbeat

Warnings & Recalls for Levemir

Levemir is contraindicated in patients who have a hypersensitivity to the active ingredient in the drug which is insulin detemir, or one of its derivatives.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to insulin (Humulin, Novolin, others), any of the ingredients of Levemir or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor what prescriptions and nonprescription medications that you’re taking including vitamins and supplements.  Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); certain cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Antara, Lofibra, TriCor, Triglide) and gemfibrozil (Lopid); clonidine (Catapres, Catapres-TTS, in Clorpres); danazol; disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR); diuretics ('water pills'); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax); hormone replacement therapy; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for asthma and colds; medications for mental illness and nausea; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); octreotide (Sandostatin); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral medications for diabetes; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam); reserpine; salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); somatropin (Nutropin, Serostim, others); sulfa antibiotics; and thyroid medications.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had nerve damage caused by your diabetes or any other medical conditions, including liver disease or kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan on pregnancy or are nursing.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Levemir
• Alcohol may cause a change in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using Levemir
• Ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, experience unusual stress, or change your diet, exercise, or activity schedule. These changes can affect your dosing schedule and the amount of Levemir that you will need.
• Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar.

As of yet, there hasn’t been a recall initiated by the FDA or a voluntary recall from Novo Nordisk regarding Levemir.  But in June 13, 2009, the FDA issued an advisory about stolen vials of Levemir that they had believed were being sold in the market.  This advisory was initiated because of the nature of Levemir and the necessity to keep it sterile and stored properly.

Levemir Treatment and Use

Levemir | Insulin detemir is an injectable drug used to treat Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.  In patients with Type 1 diabetes, Levemir can be used concurrently with another short acting insulin.  In regards to Type 2 diabetes, Levemir can be used with other oral medications.  It is marketed by Novo Nordisk and its origin is from rDNA, hence it is a synthetic and man-made insulin.

Other Names for Levemir

Insulin Detemir

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Levemir