7 Minute Read
Levemir vs Lantus: Which Is Better for Controlling Blood Sugar?
Did you know 34.2 million people in the United States are living with diabetes. That’s 10.4% of the population.
If you are one of these people and use insulin to manage your diabetes, you should know what your options are and what the best insulin for you is. Your doctor may have mentioned many blood sugar controlling medications, like Levemir and Lantus. Keep reading to learn more about your options.
We’ll go over the pros and cons of Levemir vs. Lantus, side effects, effectiveness, and pricing. In addition, you’ll learn how you can buy your diabetes medication at a discount through our convenient online pharmacy and have them shipped to you for free.
Is Levemir the Same as Lantus?
While the two long-acting insulin medications are similar, Levemir and Lantus are not the same. In order to understand the differences between the two, here are details about both medications.
Levemir
Levemir is a form of long-acting insulin used by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics over the age of 2 to help convert the glucose (sugar) in our food into energy. The “long-acting” description refers to how it works in the body.
Levemir is injected under the skin, in the stomach, thigh, or arm once or twice daily in a 24 hour period. It is absorbed slowly and causes no significant spikes or falls in blood glucose levels. Ultimately your dosage needs are determined by your doctor; you may need to use another form of insulin in between Levemir doses.
Lantus
Lantus is another type of long-acting insulin that is used by children (age 6 and older) with Type 1 diabetes and adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to improve levels of blood glucose.
Lantus is injected once a day under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. It starts working after several hours and is slowly absorbed over a 24 hour period. You shouldn’t adjust your dose or use any other types of insulin without first consulting your doctor.
Important Information
When you are using any type of insulin, you should have your glucometer nearby. Even though your blood sugar levels should be more level with regular use of long-acting types of insulin such as Levemir and Lantus, it is important you still check your blood glucose levels multiple times a day. This will help your doctor determine what dose is right for you.
Levemir and Lantus should not be used in an insulin pump. This can cause a life-threatening complication of hypoglycemia. Signs of hypoglycemia are intense hunger, dizziness, irritability, confusion, anxiety, or shaking.
Differences Between Levemir and Lantus
There are some key differences that differentiate Levemir from Lantus. Some of those differences are:
Levemir is able to be used in all diabetics age 2 and older; Lantus is for adults with Type 1 and 2, and Type 1 diabetic children age 6 and older.
Levemir is processed by the body faster and may be taken twice a day, every 12 hours; Lantus absorbs slowly so it is taken once a day.
Levemir typically peaks in blood levels around 6 to 8 hours after initial injection; Lantus has no clear peak over a 24 hour period.
The average retail cost of Levemir Flextouch without insurance or a coupon in the United States is about $560.95. The average retail cost of Lantus Solostar without insurance or a coupon in the United States is about $510 for 5 Solostar pens.
If you’d like to know more about how you can get your long-acting insulin prescriptions like Levemir or Lantus conveniently and for hundreds of dollars cheaper, you should buy your prescriptions from a reputable online pharmacy such as 90-Day Meds.
You can save money by switching from 30-day to 90-day medication prescriptions and have your orders shipped to you for free. Check out this page to learn how to order, pick your medicine, and show proof of your prescription, so you can have your medication delivered straight to your home.
Side Effects of Levemir
As with all medications, Levemir has side effects. Be mindful of these effects when starting Levemir:
- Redness, pain, or irritation of the skin at injection
- Swelling in the hands and/or feet
- Thickening of the skin near injection site
- Weight gain
- Headache
- Flu or cold-like symptoms (congestion, sneezing, hoarseness)
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Increased hunger
- Shakiness
- Low potassium
As always, contact your doctor with any concerns about side effects. Some side effects could be life-threatening such as trouble breathing or swelling in the throat, mouth, or face.
Side Effects of Lantus
Like Levemir, Lantus also has a fair amount of side effects. Some of these may include:
- Flu and cold-like symptoms (runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough)
- Back pain
- Fluid retention in limbs
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, or irritation)
- Weight gain
- Unusual fat distribution
- Diarrhea
- Low potassium
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased hunger
- Sweating
Certain drugs can interact with insulin and have negative effects. Your doctor should know about all of the medications you take, including supplements and vitamins.
Which Is the Best Choice for Me?
When choosing a medication for controlling your blood glucose levels and diabetes management, you should always consult your doctor. Levemir and Lantus are about equally as effective to control glucose levels, but your lifestyle, age, or health may make one a better option than the other.
Levemir Vs. Lantus: Understanding the Differences
Understanding the differences between Levemir vs. Lantus is essential to make the right choice for your diabetes management. You can use this new information to discuss Levemir and Lantus with your doctor and save money on your prescriptions with 90-Day Meds.
With 90-Day Meds, you can order your prescriptions online. The process is fast, easy, and we could save you hundreds in annual drug costs. To see if we have what you need, take a look at our medication inventory or contact us with any questions.
Works Cited
https://www.drugs.com/Levemir.html
https://www.drugs.com/Lantus.html
https://www.rxlist.com/Levemir-side-effects-drug-center.htm#consumer
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/Lantus-side-effects.html