Levemir Vs. Lantus. Levemir and Lantus are long-acting injectable insulins that control diabetes over the long term. Taking these medications provides you with better management of your diabetes.
The pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone, naturally in the body. It aids in transforming the sugar and glucose in your blood into energy. Your body’s cells then receive this energy in various locations.
With diabetes, however, your body either can’t use the insulin properly, or your pancreas produces little or no insulin. Your body can become energy-starved if you don’t have enough insulin because it can’t utilize the sugars in your blood. Additionally, your blood vessels and kidneys may also be harmed by your body’s excessive blood sugar levels. Insulin is required to maintain normal blood sugar levels in all persons with type 1 diabetes and many with type 2 diabetes.
Given this information, what is the difference between Levemir and Lantus? To answer that question, continue reading!
What are Levemir and Lantus?
Lantus is an insulin glargine solution, while Levemir is an insulin detemir solution.
Insulin glargine and insulin detemir are both basal insulin formulations. This implies that they reduce your blood sugar levels gradually. Over the course of the day, both are absorbed by your body. They maintain reduced blood sugar levels for a more extended period than short-acting insulins.
Despite having somewhat different formulas, Levemir and Lantus are nearly identical medications. There are not many differences between these drugs.
Levemir and Lantus Use
Both adults and children can take Levemir and Lantus. Levemir is prescribed explicitly for patients two years of age and older. On the other hand, users of Lantus must be six years or older.
You can manage diabetes more effectively daily with the aid of Levemir or Lantus. However, you could still require short-acting insulin to treat blood sugar spikes and diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous buildup of acids in your blood).
Levemir and Lantus Side Effects
The two medications’ adverse effects differ in some ways. According to one study, Levemir caused decreased weight gain. Meanwhile, Lantus caused less skin responses at the injection site.
Other side effects of these two drugs are the following:
- low blood sugar level
- low blood potassium level
- increased heart rate
- tiredness
- headache
- confusion
- hunger
- nausea
- muscle weakness
- blurry vision
Any medicine, including Lantus and Levemir, has the potential to result in an allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis can occur on occasion. If you have swelling, hives, or a skin rash, inform your doctor.