Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

insulin detemir is a long-acting insulin analog that primarily works to lower blood glucose levels by increasing glucose uptake and utilization in various tissues throughout the body, such as liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. It also helps to suppress glucose production in the liver and promote glycogen synthesis, leading to an overall reduction in blood glucose levels. 

insulin detemir has a more predictable and stable profile compared to regular insulin, with a slower onset of action and a more prolonged duration of action of up to 24 hours. This makes it ideal for basal insulin coverage, helping to maintain consistent blood glucose levels throughout the day and night. 

The actions and spectrum of insulin detemir make it an effective treatment option for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who require long-acting insulin therapy to manage their blood glucose levels. It is often used in combination with short-acting or rapid-acting insulin to provide both basal and bolus insulin coverage. 

insulin detemir can be used in a range of patient populations, including children, adults, and the elderly. It is generally well-tolerated, with a low risk of causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and a lower risk of weight gain compared to some other insulin formulations. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Hypoglycemia 

Headache 

Palpitation 

Tachycardia 

Influenza-like symptoms 

Pallor 

Urticaria 

Weakness 

Hunger 

Nausea 

Lipodystrophy 

Lipohypertrophy 

Local allergic reaction 

Hypokalemia 

Mental confusion 

Blurred vision 

Itching 

Redness 

Black Box Warning

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications: 

• It is contraindicated in patients with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) 

Caution: 

• insulin detemir should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease. 
• insulin detemir may cause hypoglycemia, particularly if the dose is too high or if there is a sudden increase in physical activity or changes in diet. 
• Patients should be advised to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly while using insulin detemir. 
• insulin detemir may interact with other medications, so patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking. 
• insulin detemir should not be used during pregnancy unless it is clearly necessary and under the supervision of a healthcare provider. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

It is not secure to administer insulin detemir during pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

No data about the excretion of insulin detemir in human breast milk is available. Avoid using in lactating women. 

Pregnancy category: 

• Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 
• Category B: No evidence of risk to the fetus is found in animal reproduction studies, and there are not enough studies on pregnant women. 
• Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for a human product; Pregnant women must take care of the potential risks. 
• Category D: There is adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms. However, despite potential dangers may be used only in emergencies for potential benefits. 
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. The drug is not for pregnant women.  
• Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

insulin detemir is a long-acting insulin analog that is structurally like human insulin. However, it has been modified to have a longer duration of action and a more stable profile than regular insulin. 

The modification of insulin detemir involves the addition of a fatty acid chain to the insulin molecule, which helps it to bind more strongly to the albumin protein in the bloodstream. This slows down the absorption and distribution of insulin detemir in the body, resulting in a longer duration of action. 

insulin detemir has a relatively flat and consistent profile, with a peak effect at around 6-8 hours after injection and a duration of action of up to 24 hours. This means that insulin detemir can be administered once or twice a day to provide basal (background) insulin coverage, helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels between meals and overnight. 

Pharmacodynamics: 

insulin detemir is a long-acting insulin analog that works by lowering blood glucose levels through several mechanisms of action. 

insulin detemir has a prolonged onset of action and a duration of action of up to 24 hours, which makes it ideal for basal insulin coverage. Once administered subcutaneously, it slowly dissociates from the injection site and enters the bloodstream, where it binds to insulin receptors on the surface of cells in various tissues such as liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. 

insulin detemir acts on these tissues by increasing glucose uptake and utilization. It also suppresses glucose production in the liver and promotes glycogen synthesis. These effects result in decreased blood glucose levels and an overall improvement in glycemic control. 

insulin detemir has a more predictable and stable profile than regular insulin, with a low risk of causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and a lower risk of weight gain. Its slow absorption and prolonged action also make it less prone to peak and trough fluctuations, resulting in a more consistent and stable blood glucose profile. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

The bioavailability is 60% for a well absorbed subcutaneous dose 

The onset of action takes place in 3-4 hours  

The peak onset of action is achieved in 6-8 hours 

Duration of action is 24 hours (ranging from 5.7-23.2 hours) 

Distribution 

98% of protein is bound to albumin 

The volume of distribution is 0.1 L/kg 

Metabolism 

Inactive metabolites are formed 

Elimination and Excretion 

The half-life of elimination is 5-7 hours  

The drug is excreted in urine 

Adminstartion

Administration 

insulin detemir is usually administered by subcutaneous injection, which means injecting the insulin under the skin using a small needle and syringe, insulin pen, or an insulin pump. 

It is important to follow the instructions provided by a healthcare provider regarding the administration of insulin detemir. Dosage, timing, and injection site may vary depending on individual needs and medical history. insulin detemir should be injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. 

It is recommended to rotate injection sites within the same area to avoid injecting in the same spot repeatedly, which can cause lumps or irritation. Injection sites should be clean and dry, and the injection should be given at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood sugar control. 

It is important to monitor blood sugar levels regularly, especially during the first few weeks of treatment with insulin detemir, to adjust the dose as needed. It is also important to follow a healthcare provider’s recommendations for diet, exercise, and other medications to help manage diabetes effectively. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: insulin detemir 

Pronounced: IN-su-lin-DE-te-mir 

Why do we use insulin detemir? 

insulin detemir is a long-acting insulin analog used to treat diabetes. It is used to control high blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. 

One of the main benefits of insulin detemir is its longer duration of action compared to regular insulin. insulin detemir is designed to release slowly over time, which helps maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. This can help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be a serious complication of diabetes. 

Additionally, insulin detemir has a lower risk of causing weight gain compared to some other insulin formulations, which can be beneficial for people who are concerned about their weight.