Changed from Levemir to Lantus - benefits?

[Administrator]

I've just changed over from Levemir to Lantus. What are the plus side and disadvantages of this please as had it 20 years and been on the same. Now changed insulin and got an 8 month wait see consultant. Feel I have no help and having ranges of blood from 2 to 30 plus.

Asked by Stacey on Facebook during the 7pm-8pm live chat with Dr Hilary Jones. Got a question? Ask it here.

 

[Dr. Hilary Jones]

Some people will simply get on better with one type of insulin then another. Some seem to prefer the longer duration of levemir but others find that lantus leaves them with a tendency for higher blood sugars. I expect your Specialist is trying you on an alternative to try to gain better control of your blood sugar swings.

 

[Brunneria]

Did this actually answer the question? I think not.

 

[PaulinaB]

I thought that lantus is supposed to last longer not levemir...?

 

[novorapidboi26]

Lantus is designed for one injection, which is good, however it is not as flexible as a split dose of Levemir.....

You can adjust your split Levemir dose to accommodate for exercise, illness and alcohol........and you can do this for the AM/PM portions of the day independently.......

I would normally also say that any Lantus dose changes need 2-3 days to see their effect, but this theory has recently been questioned.......

I only used Lantus for a short time [ 6 months] so my experience is limited.......

 

[noblehead]

I thought that lantus is supposed to last longer not levemir...?

It does, if you look at the profile for the two insulins, but it does vary from person to person and some lantus users do have to split-dose the same as people do who use levemir.