Prescription medication · Long-Acting Insulin

insulin detemir

Name: insulin detemir - FDA Drug Safety & Adverse Event Data
Creator: PlainMeds
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Also sold as Levemir. Levemir is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.

Compiled by PlainMeds Editorial, Drug Information Editorial Team

Data updated 2026-05-15

38,664
FDA reportsModerately reported: 11
InteractionsSeveral interactions: $10.36
Brand price (NADAC)

What the data shows

insulin detemir (Levemir) is a prescription Long-Acting Insulin, reported at a middle-of-the-pack volume (38,664 FDA reports), with 11 documented drug interactions.

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

insulin detemir (Levemir) is a prescription Long-Acting Insulin. Levemir is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.

Levemir is a long-acting insulin that helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It works slowly over about 24 hours to keep your blood sugar stable.

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$10.36/unit

Generic Available

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug → Full Side Effects Report →

What it does

Levemir is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.

Common side effects

Upper respiratory infection, Headache, Sore throat

Key warnings

Never share your Levemir FlexPen, needle, or insulin syringe with anyone else, even if you change the needle.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from insulin detemir's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Levemir is a long-acting form of insulin. It works by helping your body use sugar from the blood for energy. This lowers your blood sugar levels and keeps them more stable over time.

How to Take It

Inject Levemir under your skin in your thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. Change your injection site each time within the same area to avoid skin problems. You can take Levemir once a day with your evening meal or at bedtime. If you take it twice a day, take one dose in the morning and the other with your evening meal, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose.

This is a plain-language summary of insulin detemir's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Good control of diabetes is important during pregnancy for both you and your baby. Levemir can be used during pregnancy.

This is a plain-language summary of insulin detemir's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Levemir, take it as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your regular dosing schedule.

This is a plain-language summary of insulin detemir's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.

Storage

Store Levemir in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F [2°C to 8°C]) until you are ready to use it. Do not freeze. Keep away from heat and light.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 38,664 FDA adverse event reports.

High blood sugar

6,220
Feeling sick to your stomach

1,971
Low blood sugar

1,568
Feeling tired

1,534
Loose stools

1,399
Throwing up

1,312
Difficulty breathing

1,293
General feeling of discomfort

1,203
Falling down

1,189
Feeling lightheaded

1,161

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Reports over time

Adverse-event reports filed for insulin detemir each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.

Where insulin detemir sits

insulin detemir has more FDA adverse-event reports than 69% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.

fewest reports most reports

Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is insulin detemir; the line is the median (50th percentile).

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 38,664 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.

Total Reports

38,664

Reports Mentioning Death

2,535

6.6% of reports — not proof of cause

Hospitalization Reports

12,948

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 21,204 (58%)

Male 15,400 (42%)

Age Distribution

0–17 406

18–44 2,551

45–64 9,204

65–74 6,999

75+ 4,725

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

#	Reaction	Reports
1	BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED	6,220
2	NAUSEA	1,972
3	BLOOD GLUCOSE DECREASED	1,568
4	FATIGUE	1,534
5	DIARRHOEA	1,399
7	VOMITING	1,313
8	DYSPNOEA	1,293
9	MALAISE	1,203
10	FALL	1,189
11	DIZZINESS	1,161
12	HEADACHE	1,099
13	PAIN	1,077
14	ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY	1,067
15	HYPOGLYCAEMIA	1,061
16	ASTHENIA	1,049

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 929

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 180

RENAL FAILURE 152

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE 140

CARDIAC ARREST 116

DYSPNOEA 100

END STAGE RENAL DISEASE 100

PNEUMONIA 100

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION 98

SEPSIS 78

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED 1,208

NAUSEA 849

PNEUMONIA 792

FALL 791

VOMITING 758

DYSPNOEA 730

ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 663

FATIGUE 617

HYPOGLYCAEMIA 580

ASTHENIA 570

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Never share your Levemir FlexPen, needle, or insulin syringe with anyone else, even if you change the needle. Sharing these items can spread blood-borne diseases. Changes in your insulin regimen can cause high or low blood sugar. Always check the insulin label before injecting to avoid medication errors. Low potassium can occur, monitor potassium levels. Heart failure can occur when taking Levemir with thiazolidinediones (TZDs).

Known Drug Interactions

moderate fluoxetine

Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with LEVEMIR 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 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Mechanism: Fluoxetine can interfere with how your body manages sugar, which increases the risk of your blood sugar falling too low while on insulin.

What to do: Monitor your blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor if your insulin dose needs to be changed.

moderate pramlintide

Mechanism: Both drugs lower blood sugar, so taking them together increases the chance of your blood sugar dropping to a dangerous level.

What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your insulin dose, and you should check your blood sugar more often.

moderate octreotide

Mechanism: Octreotide can lower blood sugar, which adds to the effect of insulin and makes low blood sugar more likely.

What to do: Monitor your blood sugar closely and ask your doctor if your insulin dose needs to be adjusted.

minor albuterol

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, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones.

Mechanism: Albuterol can increase blood sugar levels, which counteracts the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin.

What to do: You may need to check your blood sugar more frequently when using these medicines together.

minor clonidine

Drugs That May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts. Drugs That May Blunt Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine Intervention: Increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when LEVEMIR is co-administered with these drugs. ( 7 ) • Antiadrenergic Drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine): Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent.

Mechanism: Clonidine can make blood sugar levels unpredictable and can also hide the physical warning signs of low blood sugar.

What to do: Increase how often you check your blood sugar since you may not notice the typical signs of a low.

Check all your medications →

This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.

Common Questions

What should I do if my blood sugar is too high?

Contact your doctor for guidance on adjusting your insulin dose or making other changes to your diabetes management plan.

Can I mix Levemir with other insulins?

No, do not mix Levemir with any other insulin or solution.

Where should I inject Levemir?

Inject Levemir under your skin in your thigh, upper arm, or abdomen.

How often should I check my blood sugar?

Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor recommends, especially when you start taking Levemir or make changes to your insulin regimen.

What are the symptoms of low blood sugar?

Symptoms of low blood sugar can include shakiness, sweating, confusion, dizziness, and hunger.

What should I do if I have low blood sugar?

Treat low blood sugar immediately by eating or drinking something sugary, such as glucose tablets, juice, or hard candy.

Can other medicines affect Levemir?

Yes, many medicines can affect your blood sugar levels and may require adjustments to your Levemir dose. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.

What happens if I take too much Levemir?

Taking too much Levemir can cause severe low blood sugar, which can be dangerous. Seek immediate medical attention if you think you have taken too much Levemir.

How long does Levemir last?

Levemir is a long-acting insulin that works for about 24 hours.

Can I travel with Levemir?

Yes, you can travel with Levemir. Be sure to pack it in your carry-on luggage and keep it at the proper temperature.

What are the common side effects of insulin detemir?

The most commonly reported side effects of insulin detemir include Upper respiratory infection, Headache, Sore throat, Flu-like illness, Abdominal pain. Based on 38,664 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.

Does insulin detemir interact with other medications?

Yes, insulin detemir has 11 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include fluoxetine, pramlintide, octreotide. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.

What drug class is insulin detemir?

insulin detemir belongs to the Long-Acting Insulin drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Levemir is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes.

Is insulin detemir safe during pregnancy?

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Good control of diabetes is important during pregnancy for both you and your baby. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Long-Acting Insulin

Other drugs grouped near insulin detemir - same-class peers and common alternatives.

acarbose

Precose

Acarbose is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.