? Levemir questions

[JoM]

Hi I just want to know if anyone here is using Levemir. My vet wants to change Karamelles insulin from Lantus to Pro-Zinc, but one, its more expensive and two, its a U40 insulin and Id have to get all new syringes. Id rather try Levemir first. I know I have to get it from Marks Marine in Canada. I just wondered if anyone has switched from Lantus to Levemir and what to expect. Are the pens like Lantus? Do they keep in the fridge until they are gone?

 

[tiffmaxee]

Marje and Wendy both liked Levemir. Bron used it as well. @Bron and Sheba (GA)

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I used levemir and loved it.
It comes in vials like Lantus and kept in the fridge.
I found it has a later nadir than Lantus sometimes around +8
I found Sheba was happier on levemir.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

The Sticky Note on Insulin Care and Syringe Info answers some of these questions, including options for buying Levemir. I think Marks is only selling the Pens or cartridges (Penfill). You store them the same way you do Lantus and they also last to the final drop. There is a formula for switching doses, you don't go to the same dose right away, for caution.

I also switched from Lantus to Lev, and loved it. So did Neko as she was feeling a bit of sting from Lantus. Instead of walking away during the shot, she purred.

The onset is later, typically +4 (plus or minus 1) and nadir later. Neko's was +9-+12, but I did see a +15. Nadir at preshot is not uncommon. You have to get used to shooting lower numbers. The upside is you are usually home for nadir. Neko's later onset was a bonus, I could feed and shoot and go out for dinner or a movie before she onset.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Hi Jo, I just wanted to say hi.
I’ve missed seeing you around. Hope Karamelle is doing well. Good luck if you do the switch.

 

[JoM]

The Sticky Note on Insulin Care and Syringe Info answers some of these questions, including options for buying Levemir. I think Marks is only selling the Pens or cartridges (Penfill). You store them the same way you do Lantus and they also last to the final drop. There is a formula for switching doses, you don't go to the same dose right away, for caution.

I also switched from Lantus to Lev, and loved it. So did Neko as she was feeling a bit of sting from Lantus. Instead of walking away during the shot, she purred.

The onset is later, typically +4 (plus or minus 1) and nadir later. Neko's was +9-+12, but I did see a +15. Nadir at preshot is not uncommon. You have to get used to shooting lower numbers. The upside is you are usually home for nadir. Neko's later onset was a bonus, I could feed and shoot and go out for dinner or a movie before she onset.

Thanks Wendy. I was hoping there was some info somewhere about the dosing. I'll look for it. I hope my vet agrees to try it. The office had called back and wanted me to switch to ProZink, but I want to try Levemir first. It sounds like it might be the right choice.

 

[JoM]

Hi Jo, I just wanted to say hi.
I’ve missed seeing you around. Hope Karamelle is doing well. Good luck if you do the switch.

Thanks Ivy . Ive gotten lax about posting. Not much to report as well as shes just the same most the time. Up down up down.

 

[JoM]

Marje and Wendy both liked Levemir. Bron used it as well. @Bron and Sheba (GA)

Thanks. I appreciate the reply.

 

[JoM]

I used levemir and loved it.
It comes in vials like Lantus and kept in the fridge.
I found it has a later nadir than Lantus sometimes around +8
I found Sheba was happier on levemir.

Thanks for the info!

 

[JoM]

The Sticky Note on Insulin Care and Syringe Info answers some of these questions, including options for buying Levemir.

I just looked and I cant find some of this info in this thread, unless Im missing it. Specifically , do I keep the same dose as Lantus and just switch. I have the link to Marks.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

From the Dosing Methods Sticky Note:

How to determine an initial starting dose for glargine or detemir when following the Tight Regulation Protocol:

• the formula is 0.25 unit per kg of the cat's ideal weight
• if kitty is underweight, the formula frequently used is 0.25 unit per kg of kitty's actual weight
• if the cat was previously on another insulin, the starting dose should be determined by taking prior data into consideration as indicated below:
  • If the current insulin is another depot insulin (e.g., switching from glargine to Levemir or vice versa), drop the dose by 30% since some cats can have a marked response to a change in insulin.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I used levemir and loved it.
It comes in vials like Lantus and kept in the fridge.
I found it has a later nadir than Lantus sometimes around +8
I found Sheba was happier on levemir.

Sorry I meant to say levemir comes in cartridges… it doesn't come in vials.

 

[JoM]

From the Dosing Methods Sticky Note:

How to determine an initial starting dose for glargine or detemir when following the Tight Regulation Protocol:

• the formula is 0.25 unit per kg of the cat's ideal weight
• if kitty is underweight, the formula frequently used is 0.25 unit per kg of kitty's actual weight
• if the cat was previously on another insulin, the starting dose should be determined by taking prior data into consideration as indicated below:
  • If the current insulin is another depot insulin (e.g., switching from glargine to Levemir or vice versa), drop the dose by 30% since some cats can have a marked response to a change in insulin.

Oh ok thanks. So drop the dose 30%. So from 2.25, drop it down to 1.5. Which comes out to about the same as her weight in kgs x 0.25. Shes 13lbs.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thanks Ivy . Ive gotten lax about posting. Not much to report as well as shes just the same most the time. Up down up down.

Well it’s good things are status quo!

 

[JoM]

My vet approved Levemir, and I just ordered from Marks, so hopefully we will see some improvement from this insulin. Strangely her BG is staying steady at the moment.

 

[Deb and Tiger]

Hi Jo, just wanted to say hi. Haven’t seen you lately. Good luck with the change!

 

[JoM]

Hi Jo, just wanted to say hi. Haven’t seen you lately. Good luck with the change!

Thanks Deb

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Hi I just want to know if anyone here is using Levemir. My vet wants to change Karamelles insulin from Lantus to Pro-Zinc, but one, its more expensive and two, its a U40 insulin and Id have to get all new syringes. Id rather try Levemir first. I know I have to get it from Marks Marine in Canada. I just wondered if anyone has switched from Lantus to Levemir and what to expect. Are the pens like Lantus? Do they keep in the fridge until they are gone?

I loved using Levemir so much more than Lantus. It made a big difference for Gracie. She got amazing duration with it. As long as you can continue to get it, I believe it is a good move.

Good luck & remember to drop the starting dose back as Wendy posted.

 

[JoM]

I loved using Levemir so much more than Lantus. It made a big difference for Gracie. She got amazing duration with it. As long as you can continue to get it, I believe it is a good move.

Good luck & remember to drop the starting dose back as Wendy posted.

Thanks for this reassurance!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Thanks for this reassurance!

You’re welcome!