Analog insulin detemir for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a review

Review

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Author: Gregory E Peterson

Published Date May 2009 Volume 2009:2 Pages 31 - 36

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S3401

Gregory E Peterson

Department of Internal Medicine, Des Moines University, USA

Objective: To review insulin detemir for clinical use to better manage patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A MEDLINE search, in English, from June 30, 2006 to December 1, 2008, using the terms “insulin analogs,” “insulin detemir” and “long-acting insulin analog.”

Results: Insulin detemir improves glycemic control, based on HbA_1C reduction and fasting glucose levels, without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain. Insulin detemir has lower glycemic variability, with less intra-subject variability in blood glucose levels in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. When added to oral anti-diabetes agents (OADs) in type 2 diabetes, insulin detemir demonstrates superiority to other basal insulin options.

Conclusion: Insulin detemir appears to provide better glycemic control with a lower risk of hypoglycemia and less weight gain in the treatment of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, insulin analogs, insulin detemir