What’s everyone planning now that Levemir is going?

[EllieM]

I’m now slightly concerned by the problems people have have reported with Lantus in this thread, but will monitor and ask to switch to another basal if necessary.

Lantus is supposed to be fairly even over 24 (ish) hours, and many (most?) people are happy with it. I had some issues so ended up splitting the dose to lessen "irregularities", which did help. But in the end my clinic (in New Zealand) moved me to a pump....

To be honest I had many happy years on lantus before I started to have issues with it.

 

[Gemma2]

I went to my Diabetic Clinic this week and I have agreed to go on Lantus Flexipen instead of Levemir. I was told that I will only have to inject once a day in the morning as opposed to twice a day with Levimir. 62years T1.

 

[Tony337]

Hi all
Just a little bump as i have a vested interest in this thread.

Tony

 

[EllieM]

I went to my Diabetic Clinic this week and I have agreed to go on Lantus Flexipen instead of Levemir. I was told that I will only have to inject once a day in the morning as opposed to twice a day with Levimir. 62years T1.

That's the official line and true for many people. I found lantus a little unpredictable, which eased if I had it twice a day.

 

[Ledzeptt]

My DSN warned about the cessation of Levemir about a year ago, so I wasn’t surprised. I’ve been prescribed Lantus Solostar (pen) and have been using it for the past 10 days. I was advised the dosage was 1:1 equivalent, but to start with 80-90% of my normal dose for a few days and “run high” rather than risk a hypo. I used to split my Levemir and was told to continue the split on the same basis.

(Splitting is useful for me because I sometimes need to lower the evening dose to avoid an overnight hypo following substantial exercise.)

I can’t give you my precise basal units, but I learnt that the 90% dose worked fine, but the full dose lowered my BG too much, so I’m unsure about the 1:1 equivalency in my case - *may not apply to you*.

FYI I have T3c (zero functioning pancreas)

Ps. I’ve been told my Novorapid pen is going to be replaced by a refillable one at some point, but it will use the same insulin. My Contour Next One is also being replaced (I guess one with cheaper strips, although it also checks ketones), but I only use that to support my Libre so I’m not bothered.

 

[Bobby105]

I spoke to my GP diabetes lead about the change before Xmas. He said the change wouldnt be happening until towards the end of 2026. But he took the opportunity to look at my concerns and to see if my fingerprick readings can be reduced. This is beginning to work via diet my 3m average (90days) is now 7.8 - 8.1 down from around 10. That is AbH.c of 51 down to approx 47 / 48
I am diabetes 2 , on metformin 500 x2, fingerprick test approx 7 x a day. More if a low is hit . BUT also 1 levemir pen insulin , once a.m , 20 units I weigh around 48k. Coping better but still grappling with some highs and also some lows.