MedDataToolInsulin Detemir is a long-acting insulin used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It works by helping your body use sugar from food for energy and by reducing the amount of sugar produced by the liver. You can take it as an injection under the skin, either once a day or twice a day, with a starting dose of 10 units for those with type 2 diabetes or a dose based on your body weight for type 1 diabetes, but the maximum dose can vary based on individual needs. It's important to know that you should not use it if you are having low blood sugar episodes. Additionally, if you are switching from another insulin, like insulin glargine or NPH, you may need to adjust your dose to avoid low blood sugar.
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Uses
- Diabetes mellitus in adults.
- Diabetes mellitus in pediatric patients.
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Dosage
Inject subcutaneously into the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen.
Administer once daily or twice daily based on needs.
For type 1 diabetes, use with rapid-acting insulin.
Adjust dose based on blood glucose monitoring results.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
Hypoglycemiainjection site reactions
Serious
allergic reactionsSevere allergic reactionshypokalemialipodystrophy
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Not recommended for diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Medication errors can occur with other insulins.
- Increased monitoring needed during insulin regimen changes.
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Drug interactions
- Antidiabetic agentsmay increase hypoglycemia riskCaution
- Corticosteroidsmay decrease blood glucose lowering effectCaution
- Alcoholmay affect blood glucose levelsCaution
- Beta-blockersmay blunt hypoglycemia symptoms.Caution
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).