Basal Insulin·Endocrinology - Insulins & Injectables

Insulin detemir

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Authority requiredPBSINSULINLevemirPre-filled pens or cartridge…+2

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

Titrated

Caution: Duration

16-24 h

Caution: Freq

OFTEN BD

Weight Gain

LOWER RISK

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Active hypoglycemia. Pregnancy Category A. Highly studied and very safe for basal coverage in gestational/Type 1 pregnancy.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Long-acting basal insulin. Binds to albumin in the blood to delay its action. Often lasts less than 24 hours, frequently requiring twice-daily dosing to prevent gap hyperglycemia.

Clinical Focus

Uniquely associated with slightly LESS weight gain than Glargine or old NPH insulins.

Bottom Line

Insulin detemir is a long-acting basal insulin with less weight gain than glargine, but may require twice-daily dosing and has largely been superseded by insulin degludec.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Levemir

Parenteral

Pre-filled pens or cartridges for SC injection (100 U/mL). Clear solution.

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Clinical Place

A solid basal insulin, but increasingly superseded by Glargine or Degludec due to its annoying tendency to require BD injections in many patients.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Basal Insulin — Long-acting basal insulin.

Route / Formulation

Pre-filled pens or cartridges for SC injection (100 U/mL). Clear solution. (Levemir)

Usual Dose & Max

SC Administered once or twice daily. If given OD, usually given at dinner or bedtime. If coverage fails at 18 hours, must be split into BD dosing. Titrated strictly to fasting BSL.

Key Indication Doses

Type 1 / Type 2 Diabetes: SC Administered once or twice daily. If given OD, usually given at dinner or bedtime. If coverage fails at 18 hours, must be split into BD dosing. Renal Impairment: Reduce dose in severe renal failure to prevent severe hypos.

Best Uses

Insulin detemir is a long-acting basal insulin with less weight gain than glargine, but may require twice-daily dosing and has largely been superseded by insulin degludec.

Key Risks

Metabolic: Hypoglycemia. HIGH — Hypokalemia (insulin drives K+ into cells). Dermatological: Lipohypertrophy (lumps) at injection sites.

Key Interactions

Beta-blockers mask hypoglycemia. Corticosteroids massively increase insulin requirements.

Monitoring

Check fasting BSL. If fasting BSL is good, but pre-dinner BSL is 18, the Detemir is wearing off at 16 hours. Split the dose to BD. Routine HbA1c.

Clinical Pearl

For reasons not entirely understood (potentially related to BBB penetration and satiety signals), Detemir causes statistically less weight gain than Glargine. A good choice for obese T2DM patients requiring basal insulin.

Access

Authority requiredLevemir

Brand: Levemir
PBS status: Authority required

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

Basal Insulin·Endocrinology - Insulins & Injectables

Insulin detemir

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Authority requiredPBSINSULINLevemirPre-filled pens or cartridge…+2

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

Titrated

Caution: Duration

16-24 h

Caution: Freq

OFTEN BD

Weight Gain

LOWER RISK

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Active hypoglycemia. Pregnancy Category A. Highly studied and very safe for basal coverage in gestational/Type 1 pregnancy.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Long-acting basal insulin. Binds to albumin in the blood to delay its action. Often lasts less than 24 hours, frequently requiring twice-daily dosing to prevent gap hyperglycemia.

Clinical Focus

Uniquely associated with slightly LESS weight gain than Glargine or old NPH insulins.

Bottom Line

Insulin detemir is a long-acting basal insulin with less weight gain than glargine, but may require twice-daily dosing and has largely been superseded by insulin degludec.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Levemir

Parenteral

Pre-filled pens or cartridges for SC injection (100 U/mL). Clear solution.

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Clinical Place

A solid basal insulin, but increasingly superseded by Glargine or Degludec due to its annoying tendency to require BD injections in many patients.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Basal Insulin — Long-acting basal insulin.

Route / Formulation

Pre-filled pens or cartridges for SC injection (100 U/mL). Clear solution. (Levemir)

Usual Dose & Max

SC Administered once or twice daily. If given OD, usually given at dinner or bedtime. If coverage fails at 18 hours, must be split into BD dosing. Titrated strictly to fasting BSL.

Key Indication Doses

Best Uses

Insulin detemir is a long-acting basal insulin with less weight gain than glargine, but may require twice-daily dosing and has largely been superseded by insulin degludec.

Key Risks

Metabolic: Hypoglycemia. HIGH — Hypokalemia (insulin drives K+ into cells). Dermatological: Lipohypertrophy (lumps) at injection sites.

Key Interactions

Beta-blockers mask hypoglycemia. Corticosteroids massively increase insulin requirements.

Monitoring

Check fasting BSL. If fasting BSL is good, but pre-dinner BSL is 18, the Detemir is wearing off at 16 hours. Split the dose to BD. Routine HbA1c.

Clinical Pearl

Access

Authority requiredLevemir

Brand: Levemir
PBS status: Authority required

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.