Levemir FlexPen (Insulin Detemir (Rys))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Levemir FlexPen Used For?
Levemir FlexPen contains insulin detemir, a long-acting basal (background) insulin used to treat diabetes mellitus. It helps control blood sugar levels when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin naturally.
Primary Uses
Levemir FlexPen is used to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with Type 1 diabetes always require insulin to control blood sugar levels. Some patients with Type 2 diabetes may also need insulin if diet, exercise, and tablets aren’t enough. It can be used with fast-acting insulin in Type 1 diabetes and as add-on therapy for some Type 2 diabetes medicines.
How It Works
Levemir lowers your blood sugar level after injection, with effects lasting up to 24 hours. The FlexPen is a pre-filled dial-a-dose insulin pen that can deliver 1 to 60 units of insulin in 1-unit increments. The duration of action varies based on dose, injection site, blood flow, temperature, and physical activity level.
Good to know: Insulin is not addictive and is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Levemir FlexPen
Follow all instructions from your doctor, nurse educator, and pharmacist carefully. Your healthcare team will determine how much insulin you need each day and when to inject it.
Dosage Instructions
Levemir is injected once or twice daily under the skin (subcutaneous injection). If you need twice-daily dosing, the evening dose can be given with dinner, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose. Always use a new needle for each injection. Check that the insulin appears clear and colorless before use. Inject into your abdomen, thighs, upper arms, or buttocks, rotating injection sites so the same spot isn’t used more than once per month. Always check for insulin flow (priming) before each injection.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget your insulin dose, test your blood sugar level as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never use a double dose of insulin.
Important: Too much or too little insulin can cause serious effects. It’s very important to manage your diabetes carefully and never double your dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – cold sweat, pale skin, fatigue, drowsiness, nervousness, tremor, rapid heartbeat, confusion, difficulty concentrating, excessive hunger, vision changes, headache, nausea
- Injection site reactions – redness, swelling, itching, depression or thickening of skin
- Visual problems when first starting insulin
- Swelling of hands or feet when first starting insulin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe hypoglycemia – disorientation, seizures, fits, convulsions, loss of consciousness
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – skin rashes over large areas, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, fast pulse, sweating
- Severe hyperglycemia – heavy breathing, fast pulse, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of consciousness
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before using Levemir FlexPen. Make sure to discuss your complete medical history with your healthcare provider.
Who Should Not Take Levemir FlexPen
Do not use Levemir FlexPen if you’re allergic to insulin detemir or any ingredients in the medication, if you’re experiencing low blood sugar when your dose is due, if the expiry date has passed, or if the packaging is damaged. Do not use in insulin pumps or inject directly into a vein or muscle.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney, liver, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, or thyroid problems, any infections or fever, heart disease or history of stroke, or if you’re planning to travel. Some patients with long-standing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease who take thiazolidinediones with insulin may develop heart failure.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as pregnancy can make diabetes management more difficult and may require insulin dose adjustments. Talk to your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with insulin and affect how it works, either increasing or decreasing insulin’s effectiveness.
- Other type 2 diabetes medicines
- Octreotide (for gastrointestinal tumours)
- Lanreotide (for hormone-related enlargement)
- MAOIs (antidepressants)
- Non-selective beta-blockers
- Alpha-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Salicylates (aspirin)
- Anabolic steroids
- Quinine
- Quinidine
- Sulphonamide antibiotics
- Oral contraceptives
- Thiazides, frusemide, ethacrynic acid
- Glucocorticoids
- Thyroid hormones
- Sympathomimetics
- Growth hormone
- Diazoxide
- Asparaginase
- Nicotinic acid
- Oxymetholone
- Danazol
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions when using insulin, as they can affect your blood sugar levels and safety.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Carefully monitor your blood sugar levels when drinking, as alcohol may change your insulin needs.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how insulin affects you. If your blood sugar is low or high, your concentration and ability to react might be affected, which could endanger yourself or others. Ask your doctor about driving if you have frequent hypos or find it hard to recognize hypoglycemia symptoms.
Storage
Store unused Levemir FlexPens in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, away from the cooling element. The FlexPen you’re currently using or carrying as a spare can be kept either below 30°C or in the refrigerator. Protect from light by keeping the pen cap on when not in use. Never freeze or expose to excessive heat and light. You can use a FlexPen for up to 4 weeks after taking it out of the refrigerator if kept below 30°C. Discard after 4 weeks even if insulin remains. Keep away from children.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve used too much insulin, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you have no symptoms. Too much insulin can cause severe hypoglycemia, which if untreated can cause convulsions, brain damage, and even death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Levemir lowers your blood sugar level after injection, with effects that may last for up to 24 hours. The duration of action varies according to the dose, injection site, blood flow, temperature, and level of physical activity.
Yes, if you require twice daily dosing, the evening dose can be administered with the evening meal, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose. Your doctor will tell you when to inject your medicine.
No, insulin is not addictive. Insulin is available only with a doctor’s prescription and is essential for managing diabetes.
Do not stop using Levemir FlexPen unless your doctor tells you to. Keep using your insulin even if you feel well – it helps control your diabetes but does not cure it. Stopping suddenly can lead to high blood sugar levels and serious complications.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may mask the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and may change your need for insulin. Carefully monitor your blood sugar levels when drinking.
Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you. For mild to moderate symptoms like cold sweat, fatigue, nervousness, or confusion, consume sugary food or fruit juice immediately. Do not inject insulin if you feel a hypo coming on. For severe symptoms like loss of consciousness, others should turn you on your side, get medical help immediately, and not give you anything to eat or drink.
Inject into the abdomen, thighs, upper arms, or buttocks. Change the injection site so that the same position is not used more often than once a month. This reduces the risk of developing lumps or skin pitting at injection sites.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.