Insulin Detemir
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Insulin Detemir during a consultation by Dr Noor. Insulin Detemir for pets in Perth.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address common questions. It does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It is not a replacement for guidance from your veterinary care team.
Description
- This is a long-lasting type of insulin.
- It is a liquid medicine that is given by injection. It may come in a vial or in a pen device.
- Insulin detemir contains 100 units of insulin in each 1 mL of liquid.
Other common names
Levemir
Uses
This medicine is not specifically approved for animals, but it is approved for people. Your veterinarian may still choose to use it in animals (this is called “extra-label” use), including for:
- Managing diabetes mellitus (diabetes) in dogs and cats.
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any medicines or non-prescription products your animal is taking.
- Any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- Any unwanted reactions your animal has had to medicines in the past.
- Possible risks if your animal is pregnant or nursing.
Warnings for animals
Do not use this medicine in:
- Animals that have had an allergy to this medicine.
- Animals that are not eating.
- Animals that already have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Dogs that weigh under 22 pounds.
Some animal competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is taking this medicine.
Warnings for humans
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
- To reduce the chance of being stuck by a needle:
- Throw away used needles, syringes, and pen needles right after use.
- Do not put the cap back on a syringe needle before throwing it away.
- A needle stick can cause pain and infection. If you are stuck by a needle, contact your doctor.
How do I give this medication? – Insulin Detemir for pets
Insulin detemir is a long-acting insulin used for diabetes. It is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously).
- Before using it, look at the liquid. It should look clear and have no color. Do not use it if you see any crystals.
- Give insulin doses at the same time each day. Give the dose right after a meal.
- Do not give insulin if your animal is not eating. Call your veterinarian if your animal will not eat.
- Use only U100 insulin syringes with U100 insulin detemir. If you use an insulin pen, use only needles made for that pen.
- Check the amount in the syringe or pen carefully before you inject. Giving too much can be deadly.
- Use a different injection spot each time.
- Do not use needles or syringes again. Put used needles and syringes into a sharps container right away.
- Call your veterinarian if you see signs of low blood sugar, such as weakness, low energy, unsteady walking, changes in behavior, muscle twitching, or seizures.
- Do not shake or roll the insulin before using it.
Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. Follow the directions on the prescription label.
Side effects
Common — contact your veterinarian if these problems are strong, keep happening, or get worse over time:
- Skin changes where injections are given, such as small lumps or thickened skin. Changing injection locations can help reduce these skin changes.
Severe — stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic right away if you notice:
- Weakness, low energy, unsteady walking, behavior changes, muscle twitching, or seizures. These can be signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Hives, swelling of the head or neck, loud or difficult breathing, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of an allergic reaction, although this is uncommon.
Always be ready for an unexpected low-blood-sugar event. Keep a real sugar source available, such as honey, table sugar, corn syrup, or liquid glucose packets. Do not use sugar substitutes like xylitol or aspartame, because they may be poisonous.
If low blood sugar happens:
- If your animal is unconscious or having a seizure, this is an emergency. Go to a veterinarian immediately.
- If your animal is awake and can swallow, rub about 1 tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on the gums until your animal is alert enough to eat. Then give a meal and contact your veterinarian.
How will I know it's working?
- Contact your veterinary clinic if your animal’s symptoms get worse or do not improve.
- This medicine may begin to act within 1 to 2 hours, but you may not be able to see the effect.
- Your veterinarian will need follow-up testing to check how well it is working.
How long will the medication effects last?
Insulin detemir is long-acting. In some animals, it may work for as long as 15 hours.
If your animal’s kidneys or liver do not work as well, the effects may last longer.
How long do I give it for?
This medicine may be used for different time periods, but it is often used for life. Give it for as long as your veterinarian instructs.
Refill the prescription in time so treatment is not interrupted.
You may want to keep an extra vial or pen at home in case one breaks or there is a delay in getting a refill.
Overdose
Too much insulin can cause a dangerous, life-threatening drop in blood sugar. Signs of low blood sugar include weakness, low energy, unsteady walking, behavior changes, muscle twitching, seizures, or coma.
If you see or think an overdose happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service (a consultation fee may apply):
If possible, have the product or label with you.
Important reminders:
- Check that the liquid is clear and colorless before use. Do not use it if it looks discolored or if you see crystals.
- Use only U100 syringes with U100 insulin, or pen needles that match your animal’s pen.
- Do not reuse needles, syringes, or pen needles.
- Always confirm the dose in the syringe before giving it. Too much can be fatal.
- Inject under the skin at the same time each day, right after a meal.
- If liquid leaks from the needle after giving the injection, or if you think only part of the dose went in, do not give another dose. Wait and give the normal dose at the next scheduled time.
- If you are unsure how to give insulin, contact your veterinarian.
- Do not give insulin if your animal is not eating. Contact your veterinarian.
- It is common for your veterinarian to change the insulin dose over time.
Missed dose
Missing a dose can cause signs of high blood sugar, such as drinking more and urinating more, but it is not life-threatening.
- Contact your veterinarian as soon as you can to ask when to give the next dose.
- If you cannot reach your veterinarian and your animal is eating and acting normally, give the usual dose at the next regular scheduled time.
- Do not give two doses to make up for a missed one, because that can cause a life-threatening overdose.
Storage
- Keep unopened vials and pens in the refrigerator.
- After opening, vials may be kept in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- After opening, pens should be kept at room temperature.
- Do not store pens with a pen needle attached.
- Keep away from light and heat.
- Do not freeze. If the insulin has been frozen, throw it away.
- Store insulin, needles, and syringes where children and animals cannot reach them.
Disposal
- Throw away insulin vials and pens 42 days after they are first opened.
Getting rid of unused or expired insulin:
- Do not flush this medicine down a toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- Do not keep leftover medicine for later use and do not give it to someone else.
- Drug take-back locations are preferred when available. To find one, contact local law enforcement or your waste management service.
- If you must dispose of it at home, mix the medicine with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put the mixture into a sealed plastic bag, and place it in the trash.
Getting rid of used needles and syringes:
- Put used needles and syringes into a sharps container.
- Your veterinarian or pharmacist can help you get a sharps container.
- When the sharps container is about three-quarters full, dispose of it. Ask your local trash service or health department what disposal options are available where you live.
Questions? Talk to your veterinarian
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”