insulin detemir at a glance
Medicine class
Long-acting basal insulin analogue.
Licensed use
Diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged 1 year and over.
Administration
Injected beneath the skin; rotate injection sites regularly.
Current availability
Levemir is being discontinued, with UK supplies expected until late 2026. Existing users should await an individually planned switch from their diabetes team.
What is insulin detemir used for?
The selected products are licensed for:
Diabetes mellitus in adults.
Diabetes mellitus in adolescents and children aged 1 year and over.
How does insulin detemir work?
It binds to insulin receptors, helping muscle and fat cells take up glucose and reducing glucose release by the liver. Self-association at the injection site and reversible albumin binding slow distribution, producing a prolonged basal effect.
insulin detemir preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 100 units/mL
How to take insulin detemir
Use only as a subcutaneous injection and follow the training and written instructions for the prescribed device. Do not inject it into a vein or muscle, use it in an insulin pump or mix it with other medicines.
Suitable areas include the abdomen, thigh, upper arm or buttock.
Rotate sites and avoid lumps or abnormal skin.
Check the insulin name and device before every injection.
Use a new needle each time; never share pens, cartridges or needles.
Use only clear, colourless solution that has not frozen.
insulin detemir side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hypoglycaemia, causing sweating, shaking, hunger, dizziness, palpitations, blurred vision or confusion.
- Pain, redness, itching, bruising or swelling at the injection site.
- Fatty lumps or other changes beneath the skin.
- Temporary visual changes or fluid retention when treatment begins or glucose control improves quickly.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypoglycaemia causing marked confusion, seizures, unconsciousness or inability to self-treat.
- Anaphylaxis, including facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse.
- Temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy after rapid improvement in glucose control.
insulin detemir in pregnancy
Insulin detemir can be considered during pregnancy when clinically needed. Available data have not identified increased malformation or fetal or neonatal toxicity. Contact diabetes and maternity teams when planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant because insulin requirements and monitoring needs can change.
insulin detemir while breastfeeding
Insulins can be used during breastfeeding. Swallowed insulin detemir is expected to be digested, but maternal insulin requirements may change after birth. Seek specialist advice if the infant is premature or unwell.
insulin detemir interactions
Medicines and lifestyle changes can alter insulin requirements or make hypoglycaemia harder to recognise.
Other glucose-lowering medicines and GLP-1 receptor agonists
May increase hypoglycaemia risk.
Beta-blockers
May reduce insulin requirements and mask hypoglycaemia warnings.
ACE inhibitors, MAO inhibitors, salicylates, sulfonamides or anabolic steroids
May enhance glucose lowering and reduce insulin requirements.
Common questions about insulin detemir
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is insulin detemir being discontinued in the UK?
Yes. Levemir Penfill and FlexPen are being discontinued, with supplies expected until late 2026. Existing users should continue their prescribed insulin until their diabetes team arranges an alternative.
Is insulin detemir a mealtime insulin?
No. It is a long-acting basal insulin.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.