Prescription medicine
Insulin detemir Brand names: Levemir
Insulin detemir (Levemir) is a prescription medicine with an FDA approval on record since 2005. No generic is listed in FDA's NDC Directory.
- No generic listed
Check it at the source: the insulin detemir FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 9, 2024); the BLA 21878 record on Drugs@FDA; every insulin detemir label on DailyMed.
Highlights of the record
FDA label of October 9, 2024; NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA and Orange Book, October 8, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications and usageLEVEMIR is indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus.
Forms and strengths
Injection (solution).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 19, 2005 Levemir, Novo Nordisk; Drugs@FDA’s file, where older or withdrawn approvals can be missing
- Generic approvals
- No generic approved
- Labelers listed (NDC)
- 1 of which 0 under generic applications, 1 under brand applications, repackagers included
Supply and safety
- Pharmacy cost (NADAC)
- Not in the survey
- Shortage (FDA)
- No current entry
- Recalls by its makers (FDA)
- No recall recorded
What is insulin detemir used for?
From the label: indications and usageLEVEMIR is indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Limitations of Use LEVEMIR is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. LEVEMIR is a long-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus ( 1 ). Limitations of Use: Not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Conditions named in the indications of insulin detemir's FDA labels, with every medicine labeled for each:
FDA pharmacologic class: Insulin Analog.
Source: FDA drug label (Levemir), A-S Medication Solutions, effective October 9, 2024 (SPL set 82192527-99aa-4b53-8ce9-9173668d309c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the patient leaflet for insulin detemir say first?
The FDA-approved Medication Guide or Patient Information that comes with the medicine, in its own words.
From the patient leaflet: What should I avoid while taking LEVEMIR?While taking LEVEMIR do not: • Drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how LEVEMIR affects you. • Drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol.
From the patient leaflet: How should I store LEVEMIR?Do not freeze LEVEMIR. Do not use LEVEMIR if it has been frozen. • Keep LEVEMIR away from heat or light. • All unopened vials: o Store unopened LEVEMIR vials in the refrigerator at 36 ° F to 46 ° F (2 ° C to 8 ° C). o Unopened vials may be used until the expiration date printed on the label, if they have been stored in the refrigerator. o Unopened vials should be thrown away after 42 days, if they are stored at room temperature up to 86 ° F (30 ° C). • After vials have been opened: o Opened LEVEMIR vials can be stored in the refrigerator at 36 ° F to 46 ° F (2 ° C to 8 ° C) or at room temperature up to 86 ° F (30 ° C). o Throw away all opened LEVEMIR vials after 42 days, even if they still have insulin left in them. Revised: 07/2022 Novo Nordisk ® and LEVEMIR ® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S . […]
Source: FDA drug label (Levemir), A-S Medication Solutions, effective October 9, 2024 (SPL set 82192527-99aa-4b53-8ce9-9173668d309c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
Is there a generic for insulin detemir (Levemir)?
No generic insulin detemir is approved (Drugs@FDA, October 8, 2026).
- 2005 earliest approval on file
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory and the Orange Book (openFDA bulk files, October 8, 2026)
What does the insulin detemir label say about other medicines?
The insulin detemir label names 17 other medicines in its interaction, contraindication or warning sections. The sentences are the labels' own; a label lists what its studies and reports found, not every interaction.
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Albuterol | drug interactions | … progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention: Dosage increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LEVEMIR is co-administered with these drugs. |
| Clonidine | drug interactions | Drugs That May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. |
| Clozapine | drug interactions | Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors … |
| Danazol | drug interactions | Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors … |
| Disopyramide | drug interactions | Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 … |
| Epinephrine | drug interactions | … (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention: Dosage increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LEVEMIR is co-administered with these drugs. |
| Fluoxetine | drug interactions | Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 … |
| Glucagon | drug interactions | Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors … |
| Isoniazid | drug interactions | Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors … |
| Lithium | drug interactions | Drugs That May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. |
| Niacin | drug interactions | Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors … |
| Octreotide | drug interactions | Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 … |
| Olanzapine | drug interactions | Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors … |
| Pentoxifylline | drug interactions | Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 … |
Every other medicine the insulin detemir label names
| Medicine named | Section | What the label says |
|---|---|---|
| Pramlintide | drug interactions | … fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 … |
| Somatropin | drug interactions | … progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. … |
| Terbutaline | drug interactions | … somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention: Dosage increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when … |
Source: FDA drug label (Levemir), A-S Medication Solutions, effective October 9, 2024 (SPL set 82192527-99aa-4b53-8ce9-9173668d309c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What else is labeled for the same conditions as insulin detemir?
14 other medicines are given the same way (subcutaneous) and in the same FDA class as insulin detemir or labeled mainly for the same use (type 2 diabetes), the same class first. Type 2 diabetes lists all 52 medicines labeled for it, by any route. The first 8 are below. They are listed as records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine | Shared indication | Generic labelers (subcutaneous) | Pharmacy cost | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin glargine | Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes | none listed | $2.90 per mL 100 pen | A presentation being discontinued |
| Insulin aspart | Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes | none listed | $6.95 per mL 100 unit/mL vial | No current entry |
| Insulin lispro | Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes | none listed | $10.19 per mL 100 unit/mL kwikpen | A presentation being discontinued |
| Insulin degludec | Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes | none listed | $11.39 per mL 100 unit/mL pen | No current entry |
| Insulin glulisine | Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes | none listed | $8.16 per mL 100 unit/mL vial | No current entry |
| Insulin degludec and liraglutide | Type 2 diabetes | none listed | $85.89 per mL 100 unit-3.6 mg/mL pen | No current entry |
| Insulin glargine and lixisenatide | Type 2 diabetes | none listed | $57.06 per mL 100 unit-33 mcg/mL pen | No current entry |
| Tirzepatide | Type 2 diabetes | none listed | $538.68 per mL 10 mg/0.5 mL pen | No current entry |
Every medicine labeled for the same conditions as insulin detemir
Source: FDA drug labels (indications), NDC Directory, NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages (October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to insulin detemir
- 14 medicines for the same use
- Other insulin analogs
- the pharmacologic class, with prices and generics
- Check an interaction
- what two or more labels say about each other