Type 1 Switching Levemir to Lantus

[HuNTeR124]

Hey everyone, I know this is a UK site, but I just need a quick answer since I have already started the process of changing my long acting Insulin and cannot find anything online.

I'm 19 years old and just wanted to know if there will be any side effects on changing to a different type of Insulin. I use to be on Levemir and now I'm on Lantus. The Doctor has already given me a dosage to start off on, but I'm just a bit worried if something may happen with such a quick change of long acting.
Please help. Thank you.

 

[Ann1982]

I went from lantus to levemir with no problems at all. I have also had to change short acting insulins at various times and that didn't really cause me any problems either. Take care.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I've not seen any posts with people having any real problems swapping between Levemir and Lantus. I believe Lantus lasts nearer the full 24 hours than Levemir does and one or two posts in the past say Lantus may sting a bit more but I've only ever used Levemir so don't know. I think you should be fine.

 

[noblehead]

I'm 19 years old and just wanted to know if there will be any side effects on changing to a different type of Insulin. I use to be on Levemir and now I'm on Lantus.

There shouldn't be any side-effects, what you might find is you'll use less units of insulin on lantus than you did when using levemir, but just keep an eye on things over the next few days and see what develops.

 

[HuNTeR124]

Hi. I've not seen any posts with people having any real problems swapping between Levemir and Lantus. I believe Lantus lasts nearer the full 24 hours than Levemir does and one or two posts in the past say Lantus may sting a bit more but I've only ever used Levemir so don't know. I think you should be fine.

Thank you for the reply. I have noticed that it does sting more, I wasn't sure if that was because of the change of the insulin or if it is the insulin itself. My mother told me it 'may' be because it's thicker than levemir but I'm still unsure.

 

[HuNTeR124]

I went from lantus to levemir with no problems at all. I have also had to change short acting insulins at various times and that didn't really cause me any problems either. Take care.

I had to change my dosage of NovoRapid down by 6 units, due to waking up in the morning with hypos.

 

[catapillar]

Thank you for the reply. I have noticed that it does sting more, I wasn't sure if that was because of the change of the insulin or if it is the insulin itself. My mother told me it 'may' be because it's thicker than levemir but I'm still unsure.

Lantus stings because the insulin is suspended in an acidic solution. It will sting. Inject into thighs or bum check and pinch up when injecting and that should reduce the sting a bit.

If your waking up hypo that would suggest your basal (your lantus) dose needs to be reduced. Have you done a basal test?

 

[HuNTeR124]

There shouldn't be any side-effects, what you might find is you'll use less units of insulin on lantus than you did when using levemir, but just keep an eye on things over the next few days and see what develops.

Was
Morning:
Levemir 40 units.
NovoRapid 18 units.

Evening:
Levemir 30 units.
NovoRapid 16 units.

Now:
Morning:
NovoRapid 18 units.

Evening:
Lantus 40 units.
NovoRapid 10 units.

 

[HuNTeR124]

Lantus stings because the insulin is suspended in an acidic solution. It will sting. Inject into thighs or bum check and pinch up when injecting and that should reduce the sting a bit.

If your waking up hypo that would suggest your basal (your lantus) dose needs to be reduced. Have you done a basal test?

I'm still adjusting to my intake by my doctors word on the Lantus. I'm not new to diabetes I've had it for 15 years, but I'm new to Lantus. My BGL's have been stable, except for night time. I get below 3.5.
My HBA1C is 12.4 currently due to me rebelling against diabetes in my teenage years. Now that I've matured, I want to be ontop of it. My HBA1C is decreasing though, that is why I have such a high dosage atm.

I don't mind the sting, I was just uncertain why it stings more.

 

[catapillar]

I'm still adjusting to my intake by my doctors word on the Lantus. I'm not new to diabetes I've had it for 15 years, but I'm new to Lantus. My BGL's have been stable, except for night time. I get below 3.5.

If following your doctors word on the lantus dosage is resulting in night time hypos I would discuss the dosage and the hypos with your doctor ASAP.

Here's a guide on basal testing - https://mysugr.com/basal-rate-testing/ - it suggests making changes of not more than 10% to your basal dosage if basal tests suggest a change is necessary.

 

[HuNTeR124]

Thanks for the help. I've dropped my Lantus by 4 units. It is now at 36 rather than 40. I will update my status on the next outcome.

 

[HuNTeR124]

Thanks for the help. I've dropped my Lantus by 4 units. It is now at 36 rather than 40. I will update my status on the next outcome.

My levels are now completely stable and feeling great. Thank you all for the advice and help.

 

[Tony337]

Interesting thread this for me as i was thinking of doing the same (Levimir to lantus) but my big sister who is on a different regime altogether is changing to an insulin called Toujeo which lasts up to 26 hours so is a bit more potent than lantus but is made by the same company.
Just food for thought mr hunter124.

Kind regards
Tony

 

[Deputy_Dawg]

I switched four years ago to Lantus and it was the best thing I have ever done. My hb1c went back to where it should be, like falling off a cliff, to a steady line. I awake with the same BG reading as when I went to bed with all from one 10pm injection of 14 units. Lantus my Life Saver!