How Much Does Levemir Insulin Cost

What Type Of Insulin Is Levemir Flextouch

Levemir Insulin Flexpen Usage And Dosage (levemir)#insulinpen#levemir

Levemir is a soluble analog of basal insulin with a prolonged profile of action, which is used as basal insulin. The hypoglycemic effect of the drug is to promote the uptake of glucose by tissues after binding of insulin to the receptors of muscle and fat cells, as well as the simultaneous inhibition of glucose secretion from the liver. The duration of action of Levemir is statistically significantly less variable than that of the neutral protamine Hagedorn . Levemir is released gradually and therefore causes less dramatic changes in blood glucose levels compared to conventional long-acting NPH insulins. The prolonged action of the drug is due to the close relationship of insulin detemir molecules at the injection site and the attachment of albumin to them through the side chain of fatty acids. Compared with NPH insulin, insulin detemir is more slowly distributed in peripheral target tissues. This combined mechanism of prolongation of action causes a more predictable absorption and action profile of the drug Levemir FlexPen than NPH insulin.

In combination with such agents, the initial dose of Levemir® is 10 U or 0.10.2 U / kg. The dose selection is carried out according to the needs of the patient. The drug should be administered 1 time per day in the evening, during dinner, or before bedtime. The duration of its action is up to 24 hours. The pre-filled syringe-pen Levemir Flexpen provides easy administration of the drug.

Getting Costs Under Control

The Trump administration and Congress have recently proposed some ways to rein in insulin prices.

For example, the Trump administration, Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration have proposed letting retail pharmacies, drug wholesalers, states, and even drug manufacturers purchase expensive drugs, including insulin, from Canada, at cheaper prices. The FDA has also crafted a plan to develop a quicker pathway to approve less-expensive generic versions of the newer insulin drugs.

And bills introduced last year in both the House and Senate would incentivize drug companies to roll back insulin prices to 2006 levels and prohibit insurance companies from forcing patients who need insulin to first meet a deductible before their insurance kicks in.While passage of those measures could still be a long way off, the big three insulin manufacturers have recently rolled out programs that could provide relief to consumers more quickly. Additionally, some insurance companies and PBMs have started to offer programs to help contain what consumers must pay.

Heres how you can take advantage of these new options, as well as some older ones, to lower insulin costs.

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How Much Does Levemir Cost With Insurance

Each individual insurance plan is different and may or may not cover Levemir. Your Levemir copay with insurance differs according to your healthcare plan. Contact your insurance carrier or pharmacist for specific drug coverage and payment details.

If your health insurance doesn’t cover Levemir, you can present your SingleCare savings card to the pharmacist at checkout and pay a more affordable price of $191.49 for 1, 10ml Vial.

What Are The Side Effects Of Levemir

Common side effects of Levemir are low blood sugar, injection site reactions, upper respiratory infections, headache, stomach and back pain, itching, vomiting, and weight gain. Report these or any other side effects to your healthcare provider.

Serious allergic reactions may present with symptoms of hives, shortness of breath, or swelling of the tongue, throat, or face. Go to the emergency room for immediate medical attention if you are having an allergic reaction.

Your doctor may order regular bloodwork to check potassium levels. Hypokalemia, or low potassium, may occur, which can cause an irregular or fast heartbeat, muscle/leg cramps, and fatigue. Untreated hypokalemia can cause death. If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.

Heart failure is another rare but serious side effect that can occur if you take Levemir with a thiazolidinedione diabetes drug such as Actos . Be alert to shortness of breath, fast weight gain, and swelling of the hands or feet. Call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.

Other serious side effects may occur. Before taking Levemir, talk to your health care provider about what side effects to expect and what to do if you experience them.

Levemir Side Effects & Levemir Drug Interactions

The most common side effects caused by Levemir include:

Reactions at the site of injection, like itching, rashes, skin thickening, or pits forming in your skin
Allergic reactions that can cause swelling of your face, tongue, or throat
Swelling of your hands and feet

In rare instances, Levemir can cause more serious side effects, including:

Severe allergic reactions to the medication that can cause anaphylaxis
Your blood sugar falling too low to dangerous levels

Levemir can interact with other diabetes medications and any medications that contain alcohol. This can change how Levemir and the other medications work and can make some side effects more likely.

See If You Qualify For Free Insulin

Drug companies offer free insulin to people below certain income thresholds, says Rich Sagall, M.D., president of Needymeds, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers find discounts and savings programs on thousands of medications.

The problem of finding affordable insulin is so widespread that its the second-most common reason patients contact his group, Sagall says.

In mid-2019, these programscalled patient assistance programsraised that cutoff to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $50,000 for a single person or $103,000 for a family of four, Sagall says. That means more people may be able to qualify.

Still, there are some caveats. One is that these programs can be discontinued or change their income or other qualifications at any time.

Plus, Sagall says, dont expect to receive the medications right away. It often takes up to two weeks from the time you fill out the forms till you receive the insulin. While some companies have made it easier to submit applications, it will still take several working days before a decision is made.

Another caveat is that these programs apply only to people who dont have insurance or those whose insurance doesnt cover a companys drug. And you likely wont qualify if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance from a federal source such as the Veterans Administration, Sagall says. Though do check back periodically, he says, because the qualification requirements can change.

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Side Effects And Risks

Levemir and Lantus can cause very similar side effects. Below are examples of these side effects.

More common side effects

This list contains examples of more common side effects that can occur with both Levemir and Lantus .

state that all forms of insulin, including insulin detemir , can cause low potassium levels.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Levemir Flextouch

Common side effects of Levemir Flextouch include symptoms of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels. These symptoms may include dizziness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, shakiness, and anxiety. Consult a healthcare provider to determine your course of action when experiencing hypoglycemia.

Other side effects of Levemir Flextouch include injection site reactions, such as swelling, redness, or irritation around the site of injection, rash, and itching. Levemir Flextouch may cause thickening of the skin at the injection site over time . Allergic reactions are possible with Levemir Flextouch and can present with symptoms such as swelling, sweating, severe drowsiness, and trouble breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction to Levemir Flextouch.

This is not a complete list of side effects, warnings, and precautions. Seek medical advice from your healthcare provider before using Levemir Flextouch to ensure that it is right for you.

How Much Does Levemir Flextouch Cost With Insurance

Long acting insulin – Lantus, Levemir, Abasaglar, Tresiba & Toujeo

Most health Insurances generally offer coverage for Levemir Flextouch. Your copay will depend on the terms of your insurance plan. Patients can also benefit from a discount card and Levemir Flextouch coupons offered by SingleCare. By using these discounts from SingleCare, you may be able to reduce your out-of-pocket cost to as low as $59.90 for 1, 3ML of 100UNIT/ML Solution Pen-injector, which may be cheaper than insurance. You can compare prices for Levemir Flextouch at your local pharmacy.

What Insulin Is Equivalent To Levemir

There is no insulin that is exactly equivalent to Levemir. Although they share the primary function of controlling blood sugar, insulin products have different active ingredients and duration of action, dosage requirements, age restrictions, side effects, and drug interactions. Your doctor will determine which insulin is right for you.

Here is a list of long-acting insulins your doctor may prescribe:

Tresiba : It lasts up to 42 hours, it’s approved for adults and children one year or older, and it’s usually taken once daily.
Toujeo : It lasts 24 to 36 hours, it’s approved for adults and children 6 years or older, and it’s usually taken once daily.
Basaglar : It lasts up to 24 hours, it’s approved for adults and children 6 years and older, and it’s usually taken once daily.
Lantus : It lasts up to 24 hours, it’s approved for adults and children 6 years and older, and it’s usually taken once daily.
Levemir : It lasts 18 to 23 hours, it’s approved for adults and children 2 years or older and it’s usually taken once or twice daily.

What Is Wrong With Metformin

The most serious of these is lactic acidosis, a condition caused by buildup of lactic acid in the blood. This can occur if too much metformin accumulates in the blood due to chronic or acute kidney problems. Severe acute heart failure, or severe liver problems can also result in a lactate imbalance.

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Proper Use Of This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist.

Learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the insulin. Insulin detemir should be clear and colorless.

Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin and to avoid developing problems under the skin . Insulin detemir may be injected in the stomach area, the thigh, or the back of the upper arm. Do not inject into a vein or muscle because very low blood sugar may occur. Do not rub the area after the injection. Do not inject into skin that is red, swollen, or itchy. Do not inject cold insulin because this can be painful. The insulin container you are currently using can be kept at room temperature . Do not shake the container.

Inject this medication under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily. Insulin detemir is usually injected with the evening meal or at bedtime. If you are using it twice a day, inject as directed by your doctor, usually your first dose in the morning and your second dose with the evening meal, at bedtime, or 12 hours after the morning dose.

Interactions With This Medication

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

A product that may interact with this drug is: rosiglitazone.

Beta-blocker medications may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low . Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating, are unaffected by these drugs.

Many drugs can affect your blood sugar levels, making it more difficult to control your blood sugar. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor about the results and of any symptoms of high or low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Levemir

Before taking Levemir, tell your health care provider about any allergies to medicine, and all of the medications you take. This includes prescription medication, OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements.

Certain drugs, when combined with Levemir, can increase the risk for hypoglycemia and may require a Levemir dosage change to a lower dose and frequent blood sugar monitoring. Examples include:

Diabetes medicines
ACE inhibitors such as Zestril or Vasotec
Angiotensin receptor blockers such as Benicar or Diovan
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Sulfa antibiotics such as Bactrim

Certain other drugs have the opposite effect, and can affect how well Levemir works, making it harder to control blood sugar levels. A higher dose of Levemir and frequent blood sugar monitoring may be required. Examples include:

Atypical antipsychotics such as Zyprexa
Corticosteroids such as prednisone
Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide or Lasix
Oral hormonal birth control
Thyroid medicine

Other drugs or substances may interact in an unpredictable way, either causing low blood sugar or making it harder for Levemir to lower blood sugar. Frequent blood sugar monitoring may be required. Examples include:

Beta blockers such as Tenormin or Toprol XL

Finally, some drugs, such as beta blockers or clonidine, may mask symptoms of low blood sugar and frequent blood sugar monitoring will be required. Be sure to discuss any questions about drug interactions with your doctor before taking Levemir.

Is There A Generic Substitute Of Levemir

Levemir is an FDA-approved prescription insulin for which there is no generic. If your insurance does not cover Levemir, ask your healthcare provider if there is a different, more affordable insulin you can try first. If there isn’t, you can use our free coupon to pay $191.49 for 1, 10ml Vial of Levemir rather than the retail price of $380.83 for 1, 10ML of 100UNIT/ML Solution.

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Dosage For Type 2 Diabetes

If youre just starting to use insulin, the recommended starting dose for Levemir is 10 units, or 0.1 to 0.2 units per kilogram * of body weight. Youll take Levemir once a day in the evening or divide it into two doses a day. Your doctor or pharmacist will then adjust your dose based on your blood sugar measurements over time.

If youre switching from another long-acting insulin such as Lantus to Levemir, youll probably take the same dosage with Levemir as you did with Lantus. Your doctor might have you monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently than usual when youre switching insulins or when your dosage is adjusted.

If youre switching from an intermediate-acting insulin such as insulin NPH to Levemir, youll probably take the same dosage with Levemir as you did with insulin NPH. However, you may need to take more Levemir than insulin NPH.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what your dosage of Levemir should be.

* One kg equals about 2.2 pounds .

Levemir And Birth Control

Why I Switched (BACK) to Levemir from Tresiba (Long-acting insulin)

Levemir has been studied in females* who were 8 to 12 weeks pregnant. In the study, Levemir did not increase the risk of harm to the fetus. If you are sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while youre using Levemir.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

There isnt enough information available to know whether Levemir passes into breast milk. However, other types of insulin, like human insulin, have been found in breast milk.

Talk with your doctor if youre taking Levemir and are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

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Levemir Coupons Copay Cards And Rebates

Levemir offers may be in the form of a printable coupon, rebate, savings or copay card, trial offer, or free samples.Some offers may be printed right from a website, others require registration, completing a questionnaire,or obtaining a sample from the doctor’s office.

Levemir My$99Insulin Card: Eligible patients pay $99 for a monthly supply of any combination of Novo Nordisk insulin products offer is available for the calendar year for additional information contact the program at 888-910-0632.

Applies to:: per prescription per calendar year

Form more information phone: 888-910-0632 orVisit website

Levemir For Type 1 Diabetes

Levemir is approved to lower blood sugar levels in adults and children ages 2 years and older with type 1 diabetes.

Levemir has not been studied in children younger than 2 years of age with type 1 diabetes.

About type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body cant make insulin . Your body needs insulin to allow glucose to enter your cells, which then convert the sugar into energy.

Everyone with type 1 diabetes has to take insulin. Levemir is a type of insulin called basal insulin. It works over a longer period of time to maintain a steady level of insulin in your body.

If you have type 1 diabetes, youll take mealtime insulin as needed to cover the rise in your blood sugar after meals. Youll do this along with taking Levemir either once or twice a day to maintain steady insulin levels.

Talk with your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar. Your blood sugar measurements are averaged over a period of about 3 months to find your hemoglobin A1c level.

Effectiveness

In clinical studies, adults with type 1 diabetes who took Levemir had their hemoglobin A1c lowered by an average of 0.1% to 0.8%. In comparison, adults who took insulin NPH or insulin glargine had their HbA1c lowered by an average of 0% to 0.7%.

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