(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
About Levemir FlexTouch Pen
We sell insulin detemir under the brand name Levemir. Levemir is long-acting and injected subcutaneously once or twice daily. People use it to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In addition, it helps to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Levemir is a man-made, modified form of glargine insulin. It can be effective for up to 24 hours. Levemir is not meant to be used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Low blood sugar, allergic reactions, pain at the injection site, and weight gain are common side effects of using Levemir. The Levemir FlexTouch Pen enhances tissue cells’ glucose intake while simultaneously reducing the liver’s glucose production.
What are the precautions while using the Levemir FlexTouch pen?
- Do not share pens and syringes with other people, even if you change the needle.
- Do not re-use needles.
- Visit your doctor regularly.
- Review the remaining amount in pen and the amount needed.
- Check the pen expiration date and date when it was last used.
- You may take Levemir at any time during the day, but you must take it at the same time every day.
- Ensure that Levemir is clear and colorless.
- You should inject Levemir under the skin (subcutaneously) of your
- upper legs (thighs), upper arms, or abdomen.
- Rotate the injection site.
- Do not inject Levemir intravenously.
- Do not inject where the skin is thickened, lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, or hard.
- Levemir should not be mixed with any other type of insulin or liquid.
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.
- Always check the Levemir FlexTouch Pens expiration date and label.
- Keep Levemir FlexTouch Pens and associated medicines out of the reach of children.
What is the dosage using the Levemir Flextouch Pen?
You can administer Levemir subcutaneously once or twice daily.
- Administering ONCE: Inject Levemir with the evening meal or at bedtime.
- Administering TWICE
- Morning Dose: as per doctors’ advice
- Evening dose with the evening meal, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose.
The doctor will adjust the dose based on your metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results, glycemic control goal, physical activity, changes in meal patterns, changes in renal or hepatic function, or acute illness to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. In addition, your doctor may add other medicines for type 1 diabetes.
Starting Dosage of the Levemir Flextouch Pen
- The recommended starting dose for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus is around one-third to one-half of the total daily insulin dose.
- The starting dose for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is recommended at ten units (or 0.1 units/kg to 0.2 units/kg). It is given once a day in the evening or divided into a twice-daily regimen.
Warnings using Levemir Cartridges or FlexTouch Pens
- Sharing a LEVEMIR FlexTouch pen, needle, or insulin syringe between patients LEVEMIR FlexTouch pens with other patients pose a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
- Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia: Any change in meal pattern, physical activities, dosage, etc. poses a risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
- During episodes of hypoglycemia, avoid using LEVEMIR or any other type of insulin.
- The risk of hypoglycemia is higher in patients with renal or hepatic impairment are more likely to have hypoglycemia.
- Hypoglycemia Due to medication errors
- Hypersensitivity Reactions: A severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulins, including Levemir. You should inform your doctor and stop using Levemir FlexTouch pens.
- Hypokalemia: The use of insulin may sometimes lead to hypokalemia.
- Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death.
- Fluid Retention and Heart Failure with Concomitant Use of PPAR-gamma Agonists Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are caused by dose-related fluid retention when used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia may include:
- Dizziness or lightheartedness
- blurred vision
- anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
- sweating
- slurred speech
- hunger
- confusion or drowsiness.
- shakiness
- weakness
- headache
- fast heartbeat
- feeling jittery
There may be some other possible side effects. Consult your doctor immediately for medical advice about side effects that start to bother you.
How do I store Levemir?
3 mL single-patient-use Levemir Cartridges or Levemir FlexTouch pen
- Not used; refrigerated until the expiration date.
- Not used: room temperature for 42 days or until expiry.
- Used: Do not refrigerate. Keep at room temperature for 42 days or until expiration.
Don’t forget to carry the reusable Levemir FlexTouch Pen and Levemir Cartridges. Never leave it in a car or any place that could get too hot or cold. Ensure you always carry an additional insulin delivery device in case you misplace or break your Levemir FlexTouch Pen.
Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Being active increases the responsiveness of your cells to insulin, leading to a more successful lowering of your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar. Take your medications regularly, and follow up with your healthcare specialist.
