Changing from Levemir to ?

[M80]

Novo Nordisc are going to stop making this insulin. Any recommendations to replace?

I have realised after 30 years - that with the help of the continual glucose readings from libre sensor - I prefer- if I can make it work- to use long acting insulin in combination with low carb food ( not keto, not extreme, but less carbs than the “government recommended “) and just 2 meals that need fast acting, or in the future less, .

I know the closed loop is amazing development but still, at the moment I am not interested in wearing an insulin pump.

Used to have Lantus but I see it’s also being discontinued, did not like the acidity of it. Think it affected my skin and the one I was reading about now is similar, but maybe better. It really annoys me that Levemir is being discontinued!

Any recommendations for long acting welcome

 

[Antje77]

If you don't like Lantus (or any of the biosimilar glargines which have the same issues), this likely leaves you with Tresiba.
Tresiba is by far my favourite long acting insulin but it'll take some getting used to if you come from Levemir.
It's very long acting and very stable, which I love. The downside of this is that it takes a couple of days for a dosage change to take effect.
No issue if you don't adjust your doses much with Levemir, but if you do, you might find this frustrating.

 

[M80]

I will definitely ask to try this, Thankyou ! It sounds good.Do you use it once or twice a day?

 

[Antje77]

Tresiba is typically used once a day, it has a very flat profile. Very forgiving too when it comes to timing, I take it right before bed, no matter if that's 10:30 pm or 5:30 am, this wouldn't work well with Levemir.
If you currently split your dose of Levemir 50/50, you'll likely like the Tresiba. But if you need a much larger or smaller dose during the day than during the night it can be a bit more difficult with Tresiba.

 

[M80]

That sounds good with one dose. I am aiming to feel as “free from” the practical sides as possible ( with that I mean the things you physically have to do) and balance the carbs and excersize ( really just walking but a lot in a normal day as my job is not sitting much) to make it work . I have a habit of doing extra 2 units and have for years, to correct highs, because I am often too careful with the fast acting, but not for nothing, as a small person 2 units can be the difference of a bad hypo or normal for me and serious hypos are not good to have.

Lately I have upped Levemir but it’s the same split dose not different morning / night. I wake up now low but it’s usually if I took those extra 2 units after dinner if I under calculated the dinner dose. But my long time goal is to get the long acting so good that I can rely on it to keep it close to normal. I don’t aim for perfect bloodsugar, just within range .

Anyway that’s more info maybe than you needed. Thanks again!!

 

[hels]

I didn’t know it’s being discontinued so glad you posted. How soon until it isn’t available? I also follow low carb. I have a diabetes review with my new GP coming up so will discuss with them then

 

[M80]

I didn’t know it’s being discontinued so glad you posted. How soon until it isn’t available? I also follow low carb. I have a diabetes review with my new GP coming up so will discuss with them then

I think it’s still another 2 years, so not very very urgent

 

[Smiler99]

Novo Nordisc are going to stop making this insulin. Any recommendations to replace?

I have realised after 30 years - that with the help of the continual glucose readings from libre sensor - I prefer- if I can make it work- to use long acting insulin in combination with low carb food ( not keto, not extreme, but less carbs than the “government recommended “) and just 2 meals that need fast acting, or in the future less, .

I know the closed loop is amazing development but still, at the moment I am not interested in wearing an insulin pump.

Used to have Lantus but I see it’s also being discontinued, did not like the acidity of it. Think it affected my skin and the one I was reading about now is similar, but maybe better. It really annoys me that Levemir is being discontinued!

Any recommendations for long acting welcome

I'm about to change over aswell , I was given the choice of Tresiba and toujeo. So glad to read some this

 

[M80]

I read about Tresiba, and it sounded good- so have decided with my Doctor at Diabetes Centre to go for it. Will start next week, I look forward to only using long acting once a day, hope it turns out good.

 

[Fairygodmother]

According to this we have until December 2026 to look for individual replacements for Levemir

Insulins - Long acting

There should be no new initiations for the following insulins as they are due to be discontinued by NovoNordisk (dates advised below): Levemir© Penfill - December 2026 Levemir© FlexPen - December 2026 Insulatard© Isophane - March 2025 NovoRapid© FlexTouch...

www.sussexformulary.nhs.uk

 

[M80]

I can say Tresiba is definitely better for me, so it’s funny how angry I was that I had to find an alternative and it is actually improving my blood sugar and need to be injected only once- which is excellent!

 

[Still_Here]

There is a degree of confusion over the actual state of things in the UK by both patients and professionals.

There was an announcement in US that Levemir was being withdrawn but UK was not affected. However that has changed or is being reconsidered. Most likely, as with other products, the pre-filled pens will be withdrawn but glass cartridges for use in reusable pens will remain on the market.

I think commercially firms want to focus on other products (Ozempic etc) in pre-filled pens.

I do use Levemir in a reusable pen from Nordisk with Novorapid in a disposable. It helps to avoid mistakes. In fact the latest reusable pens talk to the Libre App.

 

[M80]

That is interesting , because there was a lot of confusion getting it from the chemist. They said it was the pre filled that had been prescribed ( Tresiba) however this was not possible to get , so I am using the reusable. Made sure they were different colours, and with one injection per day the long acting I keep in the same place if home.

Yes, it is correct they are struggling to keep up with the production of the new weight loss drugs. It seems to me a very unethical decision to take away medication used by type 1 diabetics in order to manage all the orders now coming in for those new drugs, obviously they are making incredible profits from the new weight loss drugs, but type 1 diabetics actually need insulin to stay alive. Hence my rage, however, as long as there are good alternatives it’s fine - and there is. When it comes to cost, I still question the decision , the company delivers to many countries and not everything is affordable .

I hope this does not affect anyone in that respect. That would be immoral. I read an article where a nurse working for Doctors Without Borders expressed her concern .

 

[Marikev]

I do use Levemir in a reusable pen from Nordisk with Novorapid in a disposable. It helps to avoid mistakes. In fact the latest reusable pens talk to the Libre App.

Another vote here for Tresiba. Can’t remember which long acting I was on at first diagnosis, 2 and half years ago, but various nurses and doctors kept saying I would be put on something more steady acting. The one I was on , I took it in the mornings, would only start to work at lunch time and wither away during the night.Eventually the consultant at the hospital changed my prescription to Tresiba. It has a much more consistent profile. I take it in the mornings and try to be within 2 hours of 8 am, but I’m retired, and sometimes it doesn’t happen
I use reusable pens and have made the mistake of injecting the wrong dose of the wrong insulin! They are kept firmly apart now and the quick acting has a little woolly tassel on its case.
But as for the pens speaking with the libre app….they did when I was using Libre 2’s, but then my health authority switched to Libre 3 and then libre 3 +, with a different app, that does not have a way to connect the pens. It’s something to do with co operation and licences between Abbott and Novo Nordisk.

 

[M80]

It’s definitely very stable, I have a lot less hypos at night now