Joint Formulary & PAD

Insulin detemir - Diabetes Mellitus

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Status 1

Green (see narrative)
Formulations :
  • Cartridges
  • Pre-filled pen
Formulary Status :
Primary Care
ASPH
RSFT
SASH
SABP
Associated Icons :
Guidelines
SPC
Restrictions / Comments :
Important

Levemir (insulin detemir Penfill / FlexPen) is being discontinued. Supplies are expected to run out by Dec 2026. It is recommended that this is not initiated in new patients.

Patients on these devices will need to be switched to an alternative::

  • First line - Semglee pre-filled pens (insulin glargine). No cartridges available.
  • Second line - Lantus or Abasaglar cartridges (insulin glargine) or Lantus Solostar pens / Abasaglar Kwikpen (insulin glargine)

See PAD page for further information and switching advice.

Documentation

Guidelines (Local)
SDCCG - Insulin initiation in Type 2 Diabetes Guidelines - Sep 2014
Safety Information
Cutaneous amyloidosis - MHRA alert - guidance for healthcare professionals - Dec 2020
Information
MSN_2025_036U UPDATE Levemir (insulin detemir) discontinuations.pdf

PAD Profile

ChemicalSubstance :
Insulin detemir
Indication :
Diabetes Mellitus
Group Name :
Insulin
Keywords :
long acting Insulin analogues, lipohypertrophy, cutaneous amyloidosis
Brand Names Include :
Levemir
Important Information :
Latest Additions Date From :
Latest Additions Date To :
Guidelines :
Diabetes Mellitus
Supporting Documents :
3

Committee Recommendations (3)

10 Sep 25 - Surrey Heartlands Medicines Safety Committee (MSC)

Levemir® (insulin detemir) FlexPen® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens and Levemir® Penfill® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges are being discontinued; with stock anticipated to be exhausted by December 2026.

A Medicines Supply Notification (MSN) has been issued to support clinicians in switching patients currently prescribed Levemir to alternative insulins.  Please see below key points:

  • Paediatric patients: the switch will be undertaken by the patient’s specialist team in the Acute Trust at their annual review
  • Adult patients: the switch will be undertaken by the GP practice and, given the time until discontinuation, it is advised that this undertaken as part of the patient’s annual review.  The preferred alternative insulins are listed below:

  i.      First line Insulin Glargine U100: Semglee (pre-filled pens).  Note: please prescribe insulin glargine by brand.  Semglee is the preferred brand for patients who require a pre-filled pen. Semglee is NOT available as cartridges for use in re-usable insulin pens.  Semglee is currently approximately 15% cheaper than Lantus / Abasaglar

 ii.      Second line Insulin Glargine U100: Lantus (solostar / cartridges) or Abasaglar (kwikpen / cartridges). Note: please prescribe insulin glargine by brand.  Lantus or Abasaglar should be used for patients with a re-usable insulin pen. 

  • For further information see the Medicines Supply Notice (MSN/2025/036) in documentation
14 Jul 21 - Surrey Heartlands Medicines Safety Committee (MSC)

MHRA Safety Alert

Cutaneous amyloidosis can be considered as a differential diagnosis to lipodystrophy when a patient presents with subcutaneous lumps at an insulin injection site.  Healthcare professionals are advised to ensure that all people who inject insulin are taught to check for signs of developing cutaneous amyloidosis or lipohypertrophy and that they should report any abnormalities to their healthcare professional.

Refer to the Cutaneous amyloidosis Guidance for Healthcare Professionals below

10 Jun 11 - Surrey & North West Sussex Area Prescribing Committee (formerly Prescribing Clinical Network)
The committee noted the high use of insulin analogues across Surrey (this is a national QIPP initiative but Surrey are particularly high prescribers). It was agreed that NPH insulins would be used first line but there were indications when analogues would be appropriate - see policy statement

Other Indications

Below are listed other indications that Insulin detemir is used to treat.

  • No records returned.

Other Drugs

Below are listed other drugs that are used to treat Diabetes Mellitus.