Levemir Weight Benefit Continues After Two Years of Treatment

At the same time Levemir provides significantly improved glycemic control and reduced rates of hypoglycemia.

New data from two studies announced by Novo Nordisk confirms that Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) results in less weight gain than other basal insulins in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The studies also demonstrate that Levemir® provides good glycemic control in both types of diabetes and reduced rates of hypoglycemia.

In a two-year study in type 1 diabetes, patients treated with Levemir® gained significantly less weight than those on NPH insulin and at the same time had significantly improved glycemic control compared with those on NPH insulin.1 This first long-term study with a modern basal insulin versus the older and commonly used NPH insulin demonstrates that the weight advantage of Levemir® is sustainable, while simultaneously providing significantly better glycemic control and reduced nocturnal hypoglycemia. 

The benefits of Levemir® are further confirmed in the large randomized clinical trial PREDICTIVE® 303, involving more than 5,000 patients. Type 2 diabetes patients who were switched from NPH insulin or insulin glargine to Levemir® over a period of 26 weeks actually lost weight, while still experiencing significant improvements in glycemic control and reduced rates of hypoglycemia. 

 “Further to the weight benefit, the data presented at EASD highlights that Levemir® is associated with significantly less weight gain in both type 1 and 2 diabetes, and that this benefit is maintained over time. Levemir® may therefore be a more acceptable basal insulin option for patients with diabetes who are concerned about treatment-associated weight gain.”
The findings on weight gain reported at EASD are consistent with the unique weight benefit associated with Levemir® observed in 13 out of 13 published clinical studies, in which it has been compared to other basal insulins such as insulin glargine and NPH insulin.3–15 Together these studies provide data on over 4,000 patients with diabetes.

An increase in weight can have an adverse effect on an individual’s cardiovascular risk profile. If a patient delays initiating insulin treatment due to fear of weight gain, glucose levels can remain uncontrolled, putting the patient at increased risk of the complications associated with diabetes. Patients with diabetes who gain weight incur significantly greater total medical care costs. Weight gain can also affect a patient’s psychological well-being,19 quality of life20 and persistence with their diabetes treatment regimen.21 In contrast, even modest weight loss results in substantial health benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity, decreased blood pressure and reduced overall cardiovascular risk.
European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting

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FACT:
Many lacking good diabetes care:  Less than a third of people in the UK with diabetes receive all the recommended regular tests, a national audit shows.  The latest figures from the NHS Information Centre show children and the elderly are least likely to get the care they need. And four in five children with the condition have higher blood glucose levels than recommended, putting them at risk of complications in later life.  But diabetes care is still improving year on year, the report found.  An estimated 2.35 million people in England have diabetes and almost 10% of NHS budget is spent on the condition and its complications. According to the 2005-06 audit of 656,000 people with diabetes, only 30% are having all of the recommended tests and measurements carried out, although this has increased over the past three years.  However, four in five are now routinely having their blood glucose level checked, up 7% from the previous year.