Compare Novolog vs. Levemir
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood sugar.
Novolog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin that provides meal-time blood sugar control. For long-term control, you'll need to take Novolog (insulin aspart) with other medicines to keep your overall blood sugar down.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 177 reviewsforNovolog
Lowers blood sugar.
Levemir (insulin detemir) is an effective, long-acting insulin that provides all-day sugar control, but there are similar medications that can be used instead.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 130 reviewsforLevemir
Upsides
- When used correctly, this medication will l lower blood sugar every time you use it and prevent the harmful, long-term effects of high sugar levels on your organs and blood vessels.
- You can easily change the dose of Novolog (insulin aspart) to fit your individual needs.
- Starting insulin early in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes can maintain your body's insulin-producing cells and slow down disease progression.
- Can use Novolog (insulin aspart) even if you have liver or kidney problems, unlike many other blood sugar-lowering medicines.
- Insulin is the most effective blood sugar lowering medication, as it lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) up to 2 or 3%. When used correctly, it'll prevent the harmful effects of high blood sugar levels on your organs and blood vessels.
- Levemir (insulin detemir) is a long lasting insulin that provides consistent, all-day blood sugar control with less risk of low blood sugar.
- Doses can be easily adjusted to make a customized regimen that's tailored to your body's needs.
- Starting insulin early in the treatment of type 2 diabetes can maintain your body's insulin producing cells and slow down disease progression.
- Levemir (insulin detemir) can be used in people with liver or kidney problems.
Downsides
- Have to take insulin by injection.
- Might have to check your blood sugar multiple times a day, usually before each meal.
- Novolog (insulin aspart) is likely to cause moderate weight gain.
- Higher risk of low blood sugar episodes compared to other kinds of diabetes medications.
- You have to take Levemir (insulin detemir) by injection.
- You have to check your blood sugar regularly.
- There is a risk of low blood sugar episodes with use of Levemir (insulin detemir).
- Levemir (insulin detemir) can cause tiredness, moderate weight gain, and swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$85.88
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$457.37
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Reviews
177 reviews so far
58%
saidit'sworth it
46%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Novolog (insulin aspart)?
Leave a review130 reviews so far
45%
saidit'sworth it
35%
saiditworked well
22%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Levemir (insulin detemir)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Novolog (insulin aspart) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
5possible side effects
- Upper respiratory tract infection26%
- Headache23%
- Sore throat10%
- Flu-like symptoms8%
- Stomach pain6%
Risks and risk factors
- Life-threatening low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Insulin dose too high
- Use of other blood sugar lowering medicines
- Poor injection techniques
- Changes in meal pattern or exercise
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Complications due to low potassium
- Use of medications that lower potassium
- Current imbalance of electrolytes
- Severe allergic reactions
- Allergy to insulin
- Life-threatening low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Insulin dose too high
- Use of other blood sugar lowering medicines
- Poor injection techniques
- Complications due to low potassium
- Use of other medicine that lower potassium
- Current electrolyte imbalance
- Severe allergic reactions
- Allergy to insulin