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

Abstract

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

Disclosures

The author is a clinical investigator, a paid consultant, and owns common stock (individual investment) in Novo Nordisk, Inc. He is also a paid consultant and clinical investigator for Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis, Pfizer, Merck, Medtronic, Inc., and Johnson and Johnson. The author is also a paid consultant, clinical investigator and owns common stock (individual investment) in Amylin Pharmaceuticals.