Semglee vs. Levemir

Semglee (insulin glargine injection) and Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) are long-acting human insulin analogs indicated to treat diabetes in adults and children.

Side effects of Semglee and Levemir that are similar include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation), and weight gain.

Side effects of Semglee that are different from Levemir include allergic reactions, changes in body fat distribution (lipodystrophy), itching, rash, and fluid retention (edema).

Side effects of Levemir that are different from Semglee include swelling of the hands/feet, thickening of the skin where you inject Levemir, headache, back pain, stomach pain, flu symptoms, and cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Both Semglee and Levemir may interact with antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, atypical antipsychotics, oral contraceptives, progestogens, phenothiazines, protease inhibitors, somatropin, alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, thyroid hormones, guanethidine, and reserpine.

Semglee may also interact with angiotensin II receptor blocking agents.

Levemir may also interact with propoxyphene and pentamidine.

Side effects of Semglee include:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
• allergic reactions,
• injection site reactions,
• changes in body fat distribution (lipodystrophy),
• itching,
• rash,
• fluid retention (edema),
• and weight gain

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).

Semglee (insulin glargine injection) is a long-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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.

Semglee may interact with other medicines such as:

• antidiabetic agents,
• ACE inhibitors,
• angiotensin II receptor blocking agents,
• disopyramide,
• fibrates,
• fluoxetine,
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs),
• pentoxifylline,
• pramlintide,
• salicylates,
• somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide),
• sulfonamide antibiotics,
• atypical antipsychotics,
• 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),
• thyroid hormones
• ,
• alcohol,
• beta-blockers,
• clonidine,
• lithium salts,
• guanethidine, and
• reserpine

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

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.

The dose of Semglee is individualized based on the patient’s metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring, glycemic control, type of diabetes, and prior insulin use.

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.