Levemir vs. Humalog
Are Levemir and Humalog the Same Thing?
Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) and Humalog (insulin lispro [rDNA origin]) Injection are used to treat diabetes.
Levemir is a long-acting human insulin analog used to treat diabetes in adults and children.
Humalog is a fast-acting insulin used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults. Humalog is usually given together with another long-acting insulin. Humalog is also used together with oral medications to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes in adults.
Side effects of Levemir and Humalog that are similar include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation).
Side effects of Levemir that are different from Humalog include swelling of the hands/feet, thickening of the skin where you inject Levemir, weight gain, headache, back pain, stomach pain, flu symptoms, and cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
Side effects of Humalog that are different from Levemir include low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia). Symptoms of hypokalemia include dry mouth, increased thirst, increased urination, uneven heartbeats, muscle pain or weakness, leg pain or discomfort, and confusion.
Both Levemir and Humalog may interact with oral antidiabetic medications, pramlintide acetate, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, propoxyphene, pentoxifylline, salicylates, somatostatin analogs, sulfonamide antibiotics, corticosteroids, niacin, danazol, diuretics, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol, terbutaline), glucagon, isoniazid, phenothiazine derivatives, somatropin, thyroid hormones, estrogens, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, atypical antipsychotic medications (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), reserpine, guanethidine, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, alcohol, and pentamidine.
Humalog may also interact with angiotensin II receptor blocking agents.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Levemir?
Common side effects of Levemir include:
- injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation),
- swelling of the hands/feet,
- thickening of the skin where you inject Levemir,
- weight gain,
- headache,
- back pain,
- stomach pain,
- flu symptoms, or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Levemir including:
- signs of low potassium level in the blood (such as muscle cramps, weakness, or irregular heartbeat).
What Are Possible Side Effects of Humalog?
Common side effects of Humalog include:
- injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation).
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), is the most common side effect of insulin lispro such as Humalog.
- Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, trouble concentrating, confusions, or seizure (convulsions).
- Low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia). Symptoms include dry mouth, increased thirst, increased urination, uneven heartbeats, muscle pain or weakness, leg pain or discomfort, or confusion
What Is Levemir?
Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) is a man-made form of a hormone that is produced in the body used to treat diabetes in adults and children.
What Is Humalog?
Humalog is a man-made fast-acting insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.
It is not known if Humalog is safe and effective in children younger than 3 years of age or when used to treat children with type 2 diabetes mellitus
What Drugs Interact With Levemir?
Levemir may interact with albuterol, clonidine, reserpine, guanethidine, or beta-blockers. Other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin Levemir on lowering your blood sugar. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
What Drugs Interact With Humalog?
Humalog may interact with albuterol, clonidine, reserpine, or beta-blockers. Many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of insulin on lowering your blood sugar.
How Should Levemir be Taken?
Levemir is for once- or twice-daily subcutaneous (under the skin) administration. Patients treated with Levemir once-daily should administer the dose with the evening meal or at bedtime. Patients requiring twice-daily dosing can administer the evening dose with the evening meal, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose.
How Should Humalog be Taken?
The total daily insulin requirement varies and the dose is usually between 0.5 to 1 unit/kg/day. Insulin needs may be altered during stress, major illness, or changes in exercise, meal patterns, or co-administered drugs.