We have a request.
If it is important to you that Levemir insulin stays available, could you please write a letter detailing why it matters to you and send it to your representatives? You can find their Washington DC addresses here: https://www.congress.gov
Go to where it says "contact your member." You can put in your ZIP Code and it will bring up each of your senators and congressional representatives from your state and their Washington DC addresses.
Please also consider emailing a copy of the letter to the following email address: insulinoptions@gmail.com.
We will be meeting with lawmakers within the coming weeks in Washington DC, and it will be helpful to have as many personal stories as possible about the importance of Levemir.
Included here is information about why Levemir (detemir) is important. You could reference this or print it off as you are talking to others about this important insulin.
Thank you!
*****************************************
Why is Levemir (insulin detemir) important?
Levemir is the only basal insulin that can be diluted. That is important for infants, toddlers, and many who are newly diagnosed.
Levemir is ideal for the insulin-sensitive.
Levemir is ideal for athletes.
Levemir is ideal for teenagers with their varying basal needs due to puberty, growth, and hormones.
Levemir is a critical alternative when people experience side effects from the other two basal insulins.
An insulin pump is not ideal for everyone.
Without Levemir, only two basal insulin options remain:
Glargine: Lantus, Lantus biosimilars, and Toujeo U300
Degludec: Tresiba
Glargine insulins have an acidic pH and burn at the injection sites. They also carry the risk of dangerous "Lantus Lows."
In addition to Tresiba's long time of action not being ideal for those with varying basal needs, some using Tresiba experience chronic nasopharyngitis, frequent nosebleeds, and other upper respiratory issues.
What is our goal?
For Novo Nordisk to continue to produce Levemir (detemir) for a few years, possibly distributed through a third party, until a biosimilar can be produced, ideally in the United States.
We need more than two insulin options. All types of insulin are not the same, and they affect people differently.
Thank you for helping! We can make a difference if we work together!