Most common
More serious
Most common
More serious
You should not use Levemir if you:
You should talk to your doctor before using Levemir if you:
You should not use Lantus if you:
You should talk to your doctor before using Lantus if you:
Once or twice per day
Once per day
A 10ml, 100 unit vial of Levemir costs approximately $330
A 10 ml, 100 unit vial of Lantus costs approximately $306
Levemir vs Lantus are both types of long-acting insulin that can be taken to help you manage your blood glucose levels, but they are not the same. Your doctor will prescribe the most suitable insulin for your needs, but it is important to know the differences between those available.
Here we unpick the key differences between Levemir and Lantus as well as detail the similarities.
Insulin is a natural hormone found in your body, it is made by your pancreas. It helps your cells absorb glucose from your blood and makes sure you maintain a healthy blood glucose level. If you have diabetes you may not produce enough insulin, or it may not work as well as it should.
Synthetic (man-made) versions of insulin like Lantus and Levemir work in the same way as the insulin made by your pancreas – either by helping your cells absorb glucose or by storing excess glucose in your body, to be used later when your glucose levels drop. They differ from the insulin your body naturally produces, as they are often designed to be faster or longer-acting versions.
Fast-acting insulins are usually injected after a meal to help your body manage the glucose released as you digest the food and drink. Long-acting insulins are usually injected once every 24 hours to help your body maintain a healthy blood glucose level throughout the day and night. Long-acting and rapid-acting insulins are often used together.
Levemir and Lantus are both long-acting synthetic insulins. They can be active for up to 24 hours after injecting.
Although they are both long-acting insulins that are used to treat diabetes, there are some important differences between Lantus and Levemir:
Independent research has shown that Levemir and Lantus are equally effective at controlling blood glucose levels.
A review of scientific studies directly comparing the effectiveness of Lantus vs Levemir found the two insulins were equally effective at lowering insulin levels during the day and night. The only differences found between the two insulins were the degree of some of the side effects they cause:
Lantus and Levemir can both be bought as vials of insulin to be used with a syringe, or as cartridges of insulin to be used in a self-injecting pen device.
Without insurance, the cost of Levemir and Lantus can vary by retailer. It will also depend on the amount you buy and if you buy vials or cartridges. Based on average prices for a comparable amount of Levemir and Lantus, Lantus is generally cheaper than Levemir:
If you have insurance the cost of either medication will depend on the details of your healthcare plan. To calculate your copay with your current insurance, contact your pharmacist or insurance provider.
If you’re approved for Lantus or Levemir assistance through NiceRx, you could get your prescription for only $49 per month. We may be able to help you even if you have insurance. Fill in our online enrollment application to find out more.
Levemir and Lantus are both long-acting insulins prescribed to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. They can help you manage your blood sugar level over the course of a day, but they are not the same. The two insulins contain different active ingredients. Levemir contains insulin detemir and Lantus contains insulin glargine. This means that they may affect you differently.
Lantus and Levemir are both long-acting insulins that work in similar ways. They are different however, and are not interchangeable. If your doctor has prescribed either Levemir or Lantus to you, you should take the one prescribed and not substitute one for the other.
Dosing can be different for Lantus and Levemir. Lantus is usually injected once per day. Levemir can be injected once or twice per day. The doctor who prescribes your insulin to you will tell you what dose to take and when. It is important to always take your insulin as directed by your doctor.
You should not take Lantus and Levemir together. Some insulins can be used together – this is the case for rapid-acting insulin and long-lasting insulin for example. As Lantus and Levemir are both similar long-acting insulins that have a comparable effect on you, using them together increases the risk of an overdose and side effects.
Levemir is a long-acting insulin. Other long-acting insulins include Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo Solostar, and Tresiba.
Lantus is a long-acting insulin. Other similar long-acting insulins include Levemir, Basaglar, Toujeo, and Tresiba. You should not try to replace your Lantus yourself. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in trying different long-acting insulins to Lantus.
While both Levemir and Lantus are similar long-acting insulins used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there are differences between them. If your doctor has prescribed either of the medications to you, that is the one you should take.
If you have been prescribed Lantus or Levemir, you may be eligible to receive your medication through a patient assistance program. At NiceRx, we help eligible individuals to enroll in patient assistance programs for prescription medications. With our help you could get your Lantus or Levemir prescription for a flat fee of $49 per month. Complete our online enrollment application to find out if you are eligible for assistance.
