Levemirinsulin detemir
According to the FDA label: LEVEMIR is indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Limitations of Use LEVEMIR is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. LEVEMIR is a long-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus ( 1 ). Limitations of Use: Not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
38,855 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2004–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Levemir in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
Show these terms with plain-language definitions
Tap any term below for a plain-language definition.
Blood Glucose Increased 6,225 reports
A blood test result showing a higher than normal blood sugar level.
Full definition in the glossary →Nausea 2,000 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Blood Glucose Decreased 1,575 reports
A blood test result showing a lower than normal blood sugar level. The opposite of blood glucose increased.
Full definition in the glossary →Fatigue 1,548 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Diarrhoea 1,408 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Drug Ineffective 1,367 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Vomiting 1,340 reports
Throwing up the contents of the stomach.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dyspnoea 1,298 reports
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Also spelled dyspnea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Malaise 1,217 reports
A general feeling of being unwell or uncomfortable, without a specific symptom.
Full definition in the glossary →Fall 1,208 reports
A report that the person fell down. Falls are tracked because they can signal issues like dizziness, weakness, or balance problems.
Full definition in the glossary →Dizziness 1,162 reports
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Headache 1,114 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Pain 1,091 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →Acute Kidney Injury 1,073 reports
A sudden drop in how well the kidneys are working. It is often temporary and can have many causes.
Full definition in the glossary →Hypoglycaemia 1,069 reports
A low level of sugar in the blood, which can cause shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Also spelled hypoglycemia in American English.
Full definition in the glossary →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 21,309 |
| Male | 15,468 |
| Unknown | 79 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 406 |
| 18-34 | 1,068 |
| 35-49 | 2,692 |
| 50-64 | 8,050 |
| 65-74 | 7,025 |
| 75+ | 4,754 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Levemir. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Non-Serious | 14,990 |
| Other Serious | 14,004 |
| Hospitalization | 13,046 |
| Death | 2,545 |
| Life-Threatening | 1,459 |
| Disability | 936 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Levemir. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2006 | 508 |
| 2007 | 1,156 |
| 2008 | 399 |
| 2009 | 1,443 |
| 2010 | 745 |
| 2011 | 853 |
| 2012 | 1,005 |
| 2013 | 1,123 |
| 2014 | 1,699 |
| 2015 | 4,587 |
| 2016 | 4,186 |
| 2017 | 3,780 |
| 2018 | 3,645 |
| 2019 | 3,220 |
| 2020 | 2,665 |
| 2021 | 2,094 |
| 2022 | 1,611 |
| 2023 | 1,477 |
| 2024 | 1,203 |
| 2025 | 1,244 |
| 2026 (partial) | 172 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Levemir
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Levemir, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Insulin Aspart (8,332 reports)
- Insulin Lispro (8,119 reports)
- Metformin (6,666 reports)
- Aspirin (4,500 reports)
- Furosemide (4,330 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026