Difference between Lantus and Levemir

[Oradev]

Hey Guys, I decided to try out Levemir for a month or two to see if I could reduce some of the hypoglycemic episodes. I am currently taking 10 units and 6:00 am and 10 units at 10:00 pm.

Based on personal experience, what are the major differences that you noticed between the two basil insulins?

These can include but are not limited to:
- Onset time
- Length of time Levemir stays in your system
- Any peaks?
- Strength compared to Lantus

Thus far, I have noticed that a 20 unit TDD of Lantus does not necessarily convert over to a 20 unit TDD of Levemir.

Thanks guys!

Adam

[Eddy]

Hey Guys, I decided to try out Levemir for a month or two to see if I could reduce some of the hypoglycemic episodes.


It's helping me.


- Onset time


Roughly identical, at an hour or two.


- Length of time Levemir stays in your system


Not long. It fades a little after 12 hours, before the next round kicks in...


- Any peaks?


...giving me a slight "dip" in coverage, where my BG increases by about 35 mg/dL.

However, I'll take that over Lantus unpredictability and 30-50 mg/dL drop a couple hours after injecting.


- Strength compared to Lantus


Same.


Thus far, I have noticed that a 20 unit TDD of Lantus does not necessarily convert over to a 20 unit TDD of Levemir.

Thanks guys!

Adam


I'm using virtually the same amount of Levemir as I did Lantus.

To be safe, though, you'll just have to transition gradually from Lantus to Levemir. I pulled it off changing from 1x/day Lantus to 2x/day Levemir; you're already on your way by being 2x/day. :)

Hope this helps!

[Geoff]

Hi Oradev, I have found that I need around 10% more than lantus to get the same cover. Over the last 10 months I have had reduced hypos, used to get 2-3 per week with lantus, know I average 1 per month with levemir.

[Stuboy]

When i changed to levemire from Lantus... i noticed that i needed more levemire, and it definatly doesn't last as long as lantus, and it isn't as strong either...

Almost feels like levemire takes a softer approach if that makes sense. When i was on lantus i was on 9u twice a day, on levemire im on 16u twice a day. But i've had much much less hypo's with it.

I also noticed a change in general mood as well, which was the main reason i changed to levemir.

I hope this helps!

[Oradev]

Lesson's learned thus far:

I've pretty much nailed my 10:00 pm dose (10 units) of Levemir. My morning sugars have been excellent without the overnight lows.

I don't think that my 6:00 am dose (12 units) of Levemir is figured out as of yet. Around 3:00 pm, my basil seems to be running out. This is what happened today:

12:00 - 106 (Ate my lunch, took bolus)
2:00 - 137
3:00 - 180
4:00 - 230
4:30 - 250

It was a low fat and low protein lunch, so I know it's not the food. It is very strange because I started at 8 units in the morning and am now at 12 units, but haven't seen any improvements at all. I guess I will have to keep bumping it up. Any other suggestions?

[Geoff]

Try increasing the split time from your 8hrs to at least 10hr between injections, and increase your units by no more than 2uints at a time, every two to three days to give it a chance to settle down.

[Oradev]

Try increasing the split time from your 8hrs to at least 10hr between injections, and increase your units by no more than 2uints at a time, every two to three days to give it a chance to settle down.

Thanks Geoff. Do you think that I am only getting 10 hours out of it?

[Geoff]

Sorry for not replying to your question sooner. No it's not that I do not think that it is lasting only 10 hrs, it is that I think that you are taking the second split to early, which is causing your readings to be higher in the afternoon. Most people on levemir, once they find their right dosage find that a split of 12 hrs usually work best. The important thing that you need to get right is the ratio of the split dosage, some people find they need a higher dosage during the night, others like myself take the higher dosage mid-morning.

I hope this helps with your problem? But if you want more info just ask, and if I can help I will tell you.

[xMenace]

I have no specific recommendation, but have you considered adding NPH, regular, or fast acting to the mix? I'd hate to see you bump up the Levemir and start bottoming out in the night. It "seems" to me that a small dose of NPH in the morning might cover this rise and wear off before your middle of the night down turns. I am not familiar enough with NPH and regular to say what might work best, if at all.

[Oradev]

Sorry for not replying to your question sooner. No it's not that I do not think that it is lasting only 10 hrs, it is that I think that you are taking the second split to early, which is causing your readings to be higher in the afternoon. Most people on levemir, once they find their right dosage find that a split of 12 hrs usually work best. The important thing that you need to get right is the ratio of the split dosage, some people find they need a higher dosage during the night, others like myself take the higher dosage mid-morning.

I hope this helps with your problem? But if you want more info just ask, and if I can help I will tell you.

At what times do you take your Levemir?

[UpNorth]

I can't really say how my doses vary between Lantus and Levemir because i only used Lantus when i was newly diagnosed and honeymooning and just shortly after the honeymoon. But i do get about 18-20h out of both Lantus and Levemir. I do like Levemir better though, i feel it's more stable for me, and doesn't sting when injecting it. I take Levemir in the PM, and just cover the gap with some extra rapid in the early evening :)

I'm currently back to pumping though... But i'm planning to switch back to Levemir and Novorapid again pretty soon. I don't like to wear the infusionsets when it gets too warm, i get itches from the adhesive when it gets mixed with sweat :s:

[Geoff]

Hi oradev, I split the dose as follows: 11:00pm 5units, 11:00am 14-15 units. with this I do not have a problem with cover right across the day. I arrived at this timing and dosage with a lot of trial and error, before I got it right.