Insulin Question...

[UltiMica06]

I was curious if I can use my Novolog Flex Pen Insulin for night time replacement for Levimer Flex Pen Insulin???

I have NO money to purchase my Levimer Insulin all I got is my Novolog Insulin...

Is this safe thing to do??

I am gonna apply for this Assist. Supplies thing that wont be till after the weekend.

[Funnygrl]

Nope, not safe. Novolog is fast acting, Levemir is long acting. Ask your doctor for samples to tithe you through.

[Subby]

No, not a safe thing to do at all. Novolog works rapidly to get somewhere within an hour or so, either counteracting food you eat or bringing you rapidly from a high BG to a lower one. Think of it like a controlled burst of sleed to quickly get from A to B, like putting your foot down in a car.

In comparison Levemir works slowly over many hours, it covers your body's needs in the background. Think of it like the idling of a car to keep the engine warm and working, as it sits in park. Overnight, that's what your body is doing - idling.

What happens when you put your foot down when there's nowhere to go and you should be idling? You'll probably crash, just like you are likely to, if you take a rapid (Novolog) shot at night and go to bed on it.

OK, colourful analogies aside, (I think your sig set it off for me) the Novolog is just not suitable to cover your night time needs. You need to sort out some kind of basal insulin for your basal (idling) needs, whether Levemir or a cheaper alternative if there is one.

[owlyn]

Definitiely not. You cannot substitute Novolog for Levemir unless you are on a pump. Subby's analogy is perfect.

[shiftzor]

While definitely not safe the only short term solution if you have run out of levimir and have none left inside you is to inject small quantities of novorapid with the pen. Divide your total levimir daily dose by 24 and then inject equivalent novorapid every hour (even at night). This will tide you over until you can get help but missing a single injection (even at night) risks diabetic ketoacidosis which will land you in hospital or even death. I seriously suggest that you get help now.


Levimir - long acting insulin (called a basal insulin, typically lasts 18 to 24hours)
Novorapid - fast acting insulin (called a bolus insulin, typically peaks at 1.5 hours and lasts between 4 to 5 hours)

[jenb]

At the risk of creating a lot of controversy, here is what I would do if I were out of Levemir and could not access it for a couple of days:

I would divide my basal usage into 6 increments and do a Novolog bolus every 4 hours, testing frequently to make sure my BG was remaining steady. Should it begin to rise I would do a correction bolus. I would also eliminate carbs to the extent possible.

Jen

[jenb]

By the way - you are in San Diego, no? I would be glad to give you a Levemir pen. PM me and we can set that up.

Jen

[UltiMica06]

By the way - you are in San Diego, no? I would be glad to give you a Levemir pen. PM me and we can set that up.

Jen

Thanks for the offer!...lol...Thats very nice of you!

I am going to the Pharmacey this morning...IF I can not get a refill I will contact you then...if thats ok???...

[jenb]

Hi UM06 -Yes, definitely contact me if you can't get your Levemir. I'll check in today from time to time. PM me with a way to contact you.

Jen