Levemir® insulin is being discontinued by December 2026- please read information before your diabetes appointment.
No company will be taking over production so we need to make a plan for your switch to a different insulin.
We would aim to choose an insulin at your next diabetes review
Background
People may refer to Levemir® as their long acting, basal or background insulin. Throughout this document we will refer to it as basal insulin. There are a number of alternative basal insulins, but none are the same as Levemir®. This information will hopefully help with choosing an alternative basal insulin
We will start changing people from autumn 2025 so this process can be completed by December 2026. You do not need to make contact before your next appointment. Your insulin should not be changed without you having a discussion with a diabetes professional (e.g. pharmacist, specialist nurse, diabetes dietitian or doctor.)
You may need to reduce doses when changing insulin. Your individual requirements can be discussed at your appointment.
Lantus®
Lantus ® is an analogue insulin that lasts up to 24 hours. It is licensed to be given once a day. Some people may find it does not last full 24 hours and will move to take it twice a day (this is called “off licence” use).
Who is Lantus® suitable for? | Who is Lantus® not suitable for? |
People with type 1 diabetes who want to take basal insulin once a day | Allergy to Lantus® or glargine insulin |
People with type 1 diabetes who are on similar doses of Levemir® in am and pm | People who want to start basal insulin twice a day |
Lantus® comes as Solostar disposable pen1
Cartridges for use in Allstar Pro refillable pen2
Humulin® I
Humulin® I, is a human intermediate insulin. It has a similar duration to Levemir®(12-14 hours). Humulin® I has a slight peak compared to Levemir® and you may need to consider your breakfast or evening mealtime insulin doses.
Who is Humulin® I suitable for? | Who is Humulin® I not suitable for? |
Back up insulin for people on insulin pumps | Allergy to Humulin® I |
People with new type 1 diabetes | People who prefer to take basal insulin once a day. |
People who are on very different morning and evening doses of Levemir®. | People with previous problems with significant hypoglycaemia overnight. |
People who make big changes to their Levemir® doses from day to day |
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People with Type 2 Diabetes |
Humulin® I comes as Kwikpen prefilled pens or cartridges for use in HumaPen Savvio refillable pens.
https://uk.lilly.com/diabetes/patient/humulin-i#patient-information
Tresiba®
Tresiba® is a once daily ultra-long acting analogue insulin. It is best taken at the same time each day but can be taken at variable times with 8 hours between injections.
Who is Tresiba® suitable for? | Who is Tresiba® not suitable for? |
People with type 1 diabetes who want to take once daily basal insulin | Allergy to Tresiba® |
People with type 1 diabetes who may need to take basal insulin at different times from day-to-day e.g. due to shift work or lifestyle. | People who like to make a lot of changes to basal insulin doses from day to day. Due to long action of Tresiba® changes in dosage may take a few days to have an effect |
People with type 1 diabetes who have problems with night time hypoglycaemia (hypos) |
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Tresiba® currently only comes as cartridges for use in Novopen 6.