Levemir versus Lantus

Hi,

I've had some useful advice through the HCPs' forum but I was just wondering if anyone could give me any other feedback regarding using Levemir and Lantus for their background insulins. I'm particularly interested to hear from anyone who has switched from one to the other and which they have found to be the most effective?

Many thanks,

Melissa

In short - both have been hard to get on with for me, for different reasons.
See my post in your HCP thread for why.

The main difference I have seen is that people on one injection of Lantus per day who have found that the Lantus does not last the full 24 hours have benefited from 2 injections of Levemir but I would welcome any other opinions.

Paul

Thanks Paul.

Personally I've found that my BG readings on the Levemir have been really variable and much harder to predict than they were when I was on the Lantus. I've had real problems with very high early morning readings and far more extreme highs and lows.

I was just wondering whether anyone else had experienced anything similar?

I'm really tempted just to switch back to the Lantus again but I want to get my facts straight first.

Pre- DAFNE I was on a single dose of Lantus but it turned out that it was not lasting the full 24 hours...far less in fact. Got switched to split-dose of Levemir but that was def far from suitable. Absolutely no rhyme nor reason to any of my readings and had an adverse reaction to it. Currently on a split does of Lantus. Still not ideal but def way better than before and the flexibility that comes with splitting the dose is a def plus!

Best of luck
Jenny

I was moved to Levemir a few weeks ago, and started off the dosage recommended by my specialist at the hospital. My readings rocketed to an average of around 17mmols, with results in the high 20s not uncommon. I quickly upped the background dose, twice and still I'm not geting very good results at all. I'm lucky now to get anything under 10.
After three weeks of this, today I feel sluggish, with no energy at all. I'm really, really angry that I was taken off a background insulin that was working for me because I was taking "too much" according to the doctor, and now I'm having to take even more than I was before, for worse results.

I switched from Levemir to Lantus around 6 months ago. I find the Lantus much better and can hold my BG for the full 24 hrs but I suppose everyone is different and more suited to different things

Ang

Although Lantus and Levemir are pretty much the same, there most obvious difference is the length it lasts and also its effectiveness.........

I have been on 3 types, firstly Lantus, then Levemir, then Humilin I, then back to Levemir............with each insulin you may find yourself taking more or less, just because your on 16 units of Lantus doesn't mean it will be the same for Levemir or others.......the main motivation behind changing to Levemir as you all know is action time........

Some may have more stable, predictable blood sugars on Lantus, but the single dose just isn't flexible enough for the widely changing liver secretion throughout the day that some people, like myself, experience, so reliability may have to be sacrificed in order to get enough FLEXIBLE cover at all times of the day........

Although Diabetes has a mind of its own most of the time, the DAFNE principals do, in my opinion, make it clear.....if you blood sugars have went up, then its time to give yourself more insulin.......I was reluctant at times to up my BI doses, but if you have faith and follow the principals, it works, most of the time.....

Its all about finding what best suits your own needs and as other have done, splitting Lantus is also an option, you can literally try anything......

Keep up the good work.......

I have switched to levemir and my bg is stable and near normal compared to high spikes with lantus,I havent changed anything else so for me it works, has anyone got any information on using a pump??

Just to confuse you with more conflicting advice: I have an active lifestyle and I found that 1 dose of Lantus wasn't flexible enough for me (usually because too much BI knocking around when I was exercising, meaning I just went hypo about 3 times in an hour of sport). Switching to 2 doses of Levimir is as close to perfection as I've come.