Compare Precose vs. Levemir
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood sugar.
Precose (acarbose) helps lower your post-mealtime blood sugar levels, but it must be taken at the beginning of each main meal in order for it to be most effective.
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
- Precose (acarbose) helps control meal-time blood sugar levels without causing weight gain.
- When used alone it doesn't normally cause blood sugar levels to be too low unlike other anti-diabetes medicines.
- Safe to be used in people age 65 or older.
- Has relatively few interactions with other 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
- Not a first choice medicine because it isn't as effective at lowering blood sugar compared to other treatment options.
- Associated with bothersome side effects like excessive gas and diarrhea.
- Relatively more expensive than other diabetes medicines.
- Has to be taken three times a day with each meal.
- Might cause episodes of low blood sugar when taken together with insulin or medicines that stimulate insulin release.
- 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
- Pill
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$15.21
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$457.37
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
130 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
5possible side effects
- Upper respiratory tract infection26%
- Headache23%
- Sore throat10%
- Flu-like symptoms8%
- Stomach pain6%
Risks and risk factors
- Low blood sugar
- Using insulin or other medicines that stimulate insulin release
- Kidney function
- Those with kidney problems
- Interactions with other medicines
- Taking multiple medicines together
- 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