What’s everyone planning now that Levemir is going?

Update for anyone on Levemir / NovoRapid – pen & insulin clarity​

I wanted to share an update in case it helps others, as there’s a lot of confusing information going around.

I’m currently on Levemir (basal) and NovoRapid (bolus) and, like many people, I was worried not just about changing insulin but about keeping everything on the same pen system.

Here’s what I’ve now confirmed:

• Levemir (insulin detemir) is being discontinued, with stock expected to last until end of 2026. There is now/was official clinical guidance (ABCD + PCDO Society, Aug 2025) telling clinicians to begin switching existing patients, not wait until the last minute.
• NovoRapid is NOT being discontinued as an insulin.
  Only the FlexTouch disposable pen is being phased out. NovoRapid itself continues in Penfill cartridges and other formats.
• Tresiba (insulin degludec) is a recommended replacement for Levemir and is fully available in Penfill cartridges.

Pen system – this was my main concern​

If, like me, you want to keep one consistent pen type for safety and confidence:

• Tresiba Penfill + NovoRapid Penfill both work in the same reusable NovoPen devices.
• NovoPen 6 can deliver up to 60 units in one injection (ideal for basal doses).
• NovoPen Echo / Echo Plus are capped at 30 units (fine for bolus if doses are smaller, but not for higher basal doses).

This means you can keep:

• one injection method
• one pen system
• no mixing of devices
• no last-minute panic about pens being withdrawn

For me, the cleanest setup is:

• Basal: Tresiba Penfill (using NovoPen 6)
• Bolus: NovoRapid Penfill (same pen system)

I’m sharing this because a lot of stress comes from half-information (pharmacy comments, Google summaries, etc.). The insulin isn’t disappearing — only certain pen formats are — and there is clear guidance now.

If anyone else is in the middle of this and wants to compare notes or ask questions, feel free to reply. We shouldn’t be left anxious or guessing with something this important.

Document links I’ve found to help me.

https://www.pcdosociety.org/guidance/levemir-discontinuation

https://cms.pcdosociety.org/uploads/Levemir_Discontinuation_Guideline_Final_110825_17d277acd3.pdf

You’re right to question this, and unfortunately yes — your assumption is correct.

Trurapi cartridges aren’t compatible with NovoPen / Echo pens.
They’re designed to be used with Sanofi’s AllStar / AllStar Pro pens, not Novo Nordisk devices.

That creates two real issues in your case:

1. Half-unit dosing
   
   • Echo / Echo Plus → supports ½-unit dosing
   • AllStar Pro → whole units only
   • So if you regularly dose 0.5u, switching to Trurapi + AllStar would remove that option
2. Pen compatibility
   
   • NovoRapid Penfill works with NovoPen / Echo
   • Trurapi cartridges don’t fit Novo pens
   • Pens aren’t interchangeable across manufacturers

Because of that, being switched to Trurapi without discussing pen and dosing needs first isn’t ideal.

It’s worth pushing back and asking:

• whether NovoRapid Penfill can be continued (same insulin class, keeps Echo pen)
• or how half-unit dosing would be safely managed on a different pen

Pen choice isn’t just convenience — for people who use half-units, it’s a clinical safety issue.

Yes — that assumption is correct.

Trurapi (insulin aspart) cartridges cannot be used in NovoPen / Echo pens.
They are made for Sanofi pens (AllStar / AllStar Pro) and are not compatible with Novo Nordisk devices.

So if you rely on:

• Echo / Echo Plus for ½-unit dosing, or
• staying within the NovoPen system

then switching to Trurapi would mean:

• changing pens and
• losing half-unit dosing (AllStar Pro is whole units only)

That’s a legitimate safety and dosing concern, not just a preference.

Hope that helps, and you’re definitely not overthinking this