Levemir vs Lantus

[Bonnie]

Hi
What are peoples views which ones better, I'm on Levemir but thinking of gping onto Lantus as my sugars are a bit messed up.

 

[martinbuchan]

I've been on lantus for 12 months since diagnosis. my diabetic nurses use both but say levemir is less weight inducing. they also use a twice daily reime of levemir for difficult cases, i have a patient whose HBA1C WAS 20% when i first met him (on 200 units insulin a day). he was chnged to twice daily 40 units levemir which transformed him . I might be changed onto levemir from lantus. but i want sitagliptin or byetta more.

Marty B

 

[Clare]

Hi there, I'm on Lantus but have never been on Levemir. I seem to manage with one dose a day without noticeable peaks and troughs but it does take a while to get the dose right. There is a lot of talk about it being weight-inducing, I think I did put a bit of weight on while i've been on Lantus, but it coincided with me finishing uni and no longer rowing for an hour a day, so that may have been the culprit! I also managed to start losing weight while on Lantus (but that went out the window when I got pregnant!). I'd be interested to try Levemir and see if it does make a difference but I'd be reluctant to have to split the dose.

Hope that helps.
Clare

PS, 20%?? I didn't know it went that high! Makes my high of 11.2% seem paltry!

 

[sugar]

I have been on both, and for me personally, the levimir works far better. My lantus seemed to "run out". I used to take it in the morning, and would wake up with high blood sugars quite often. I am now on split dose levimir (I am a diifficult case, and never had a 20% HbA1C, but di have a few 9s and 10s a while back. I am now running between 6 and 7, although this is result of a lot of effort, as well as the insulin switch. I would say, if whet you are using works, stick with it, and if it doesn't give the other one a try....you never know. God luck

 

[Lady J]

I just started on insulin 2 days ago. I'm on Lantus. If everyone thinks Levemir is so much better, why am I on it, I wonder? is it just trial and error?

LJ

 

[sugar]

Hi Lady J.


Levimir is better for me, but this is not the case for everyone. If Lantus works for you, stick with it. Horses for courses and all that!

 

[scottiedog]

I have just started on Lantus yesterday my HBA1 is high this is the one my gp reommended We shall see how it goes

Best Wishes
Sarah

 

[martinbuchan]

As i thought, I have been changed onto Levemir for 2 reasons

1. Less weight inducing
2. I use a lot of top ups after my main meal at night.

So instead on Lantus 64, I am starting on Levermir 20 morning and Levemir 40 in the evening.

This weeks HbA1c is 6.5%, but then I am only 40 with neuropathy and mild background retinopathy, and probably early charcot arthropathy in my left foot.

Otherwise, I was quite happy on Lantus.

Marty B

 

[martinbuchan]

Started levemir today. The actual weight gain differnce in one study I found was 4kg with Lantus and 3.7kg with levemir. Not that much really. But I am on a twice daily regime. Still want Sitagliptin.

Marty B

 

[martinbuchan]

Very pleased so far with Levemir. <6 all day at various times. On 22 Units morning and 46 units evening- still increasing evening dose gradually to settle morning fasting BG.

As I am off work with my foot I have been aggressive with Novorapid. Evening meal 22-28 units. Top up is BG+2 units 3 hours later. Using far less in top ups this week even tho I am far less active than usual.

The switch from Lantus to Levemir has been no problem. In fact the first few days my morning BGs were the lowest set ever (all <4.7). Then went 7-8 fora few days before settling ina new grove. A good example of Choas theory (predictabilty in a dynamical system)- pushing an oscillating system can decrease or increase a swing.

Anyway- pleased with the switchover.

Marty B