Insulin detemir
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Levemir |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a606012 |
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| Routes of administration | Subcutaneous |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 60% (subcutaneous) |
| Elimination half-life | 5–7 hours |
| Duration of action | ≤ 24 hours |
| Identifiers | |
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| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C267H402N64O76S6 |
| Molar mass | 5916.89 g·mol−1 |
| (what is this?) (verify) | |
Insulin detemir, sold under the brand name Levemir among others, is a long-acting modified form of medical insulin used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is used by injection under the skin. It is effective for up to 24 hours.
Common side effects include low blood sugar, allergic reactions, pain at the site of injection, and weight gain. Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding appears safe. It works by increasing the amount of glucose that tissues take in and decreasing the amount of glucose made by the liver.
Insulin detemir was approved for medical use in the European Union in June 2004, and in the United States in June 2005. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. In 2022, it was the 127th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.