TESTIMONIALS

"My daughter, Burgin, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (insulin dependent) two years ago at the age of 7. We are committed to doing eveything possible to insure that she has the absolute best chance of living a healthy life, free from complications. Having well controlled blood sugar gives her the greatest chance at that. We recently learned that NovoNordisk has decided to discontinue the basal insulin, Levemir, that we successfully use. Levemir is a very unique basal insulin that works well for our lifestyle. It is flexible enough to provide quick adjustments for Burgin’s active lifestyle, as well as impending hormonal fluctuations that come with being a young female. While there are two other basal insulins available, neither is conducive for her situation. One is extremely long acting and not flexible enough for the quick changes we need to make and the other has a ph that causes it to burn upon injection.
Being an insulin dependent diabetic is challenging in itself but being so limited in the medication needed to live is even more of a challenge. If you know of anything that could be done to persuade NovoNordisk to not reduce the options available to diabetics, we ask that you would consider it." Burgin

"Brooklyn was diagnosed 5 years ago with Type 1 diabetes. Since then she has been on 3 different basal insulins non were effective. Levemir has kept her glucose levels steady and stable for the past 2years and she depends on this insulin to remain healthy. The discontinuation of Levemir jeopardizes her blood glucose stability , mental health & physical health. Finding the right insulin that is therapeutic for you is challenging. We have found ours please reconsider discontinuing Levemir." Brooklyn

"I am a type two insulin dependent diabetic. I was unable to take metformin and needed to be put on insulin. I was originally put on Lantus and Monjaro. While on Lantus my blood sugar was extremely hard to control. I would go from serious highs to dangerous lows. I couldn’t control my sugar. This past year I was put on Levemir and along with Monjaro my A1C has come down and my sugar levels are evening out. Now I’m finding out that I can no longer get this insulin. I’m afraid without Levemir I will no longer be able to control my sugar. Please do not allow them to take Levemir off the market. This would be detrimental to diabetics." Beth

"My very first experience with insulin began in my first pregnancy. I was informed that I failed my glucose tolerance test and after two weeks saw no improvement in my glucose control after strict diet changes. I was advised to begin using a long-acting insulin. Pregnancy is a unique time for insulin needs and only one long-acting insulin is approved for pregnant women, that is Levemir. There are limited options for long-acting insulin. Of those available are NPH (technically an intermediary), which has a short action time, requires timed eating, and multiple daily injections (up to 4 per day). True long acting options (24 hours or longer) include; Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo, and Tresiba. All of these insulins are more potent, which means they last longer in the body. If insulin is administered incorrectly for reasons which include but are not limited to; daily changing insulin needs, hormonal fluctuations, timing of injections to food choices, physical activity level, stress, weight gain or loss and more, the patient risks life threatening hypoglycemia. For any person, this takes weeks or months to learn to use safely and adjust as needed to optimize glucose control. As a pregnant woman, being told I needed to begin injections immediately to ensure my own and my baby's health, this was alarming. Levemir is unique because it provides a 24 hour action time with only two injections per day. It is strong enough, but weak enough, which is incredibly helpful to a beginner. I was told I could safely increase my dose each day to control my glucose. This is why Levemir is the only approved insulin for pregnancy. I could not do that with any other long-acting insulin which is available. When my son was born, and my insulin needs plummeted within 24 hours, I didn't need to worry about days long hypoglycemia. Levemir allowed me to take care of my baby and myself, without fear of dying in my sleep because my blood sugar dropped. When I was diagnosed with type 1 a few months later the choice to use Levemir allowed me to gently begin using insulin. I could again use insulin without much fear of hypoglycemia because the action time is the shortest of all the long acting insulins available. As my body rebounded, my insulin needs dropped by over 50%, and Levemir made that transition smooth for me. If I had been using any other long acting insulin, my hypoglycemic events would have lasted longer and been stronger. Hypoglycemia impacts a person's ability to think clearly, speak, move, can lead to unconsciousness, and ultimately death. For the second time in my life, Levemir was the answer to achieve my tight glycemic goals without risking low blood sugars. It came to aid during my second pregnancy another year later. As my insulin needs increased daily, Levemir kept the pace perfectly. And when they dropped immediately after my baby was born, I rarely experienced a hypoglycemic event. Levemir has been my answer to living well with diabetes since my diagnosis. Today it is my choice to use Levemir as I work toward improving my health through increased physical activity and weight loss. Levemir is flexible enough to keep up with my daily changing insulin requirements, and allows me to achieve tight control of my blood sugars during my monthly cycle. Another option, an insulin pump, is not covered by insurance companies and comes with incredibly high costs out of pocket. A pump is not an option for me. I tried Tresiba shortly after it became available, and did not have the success I have with Levemir. I quickly returned to Levemir and will continue to use it as long as I can. I cannot change the fact that I need insulin to live, but I deserve the right to choose the insulin that works best for me." Megan

"Access to insulin choices like Levemir is crucial because it allows individuals with diabetes to personalize their treatment plans. Having these options ensures better control of blood sugar levels, minimizes side effects, and addresses individual needs, ultimately improving overall health outcomes for those managing diabetes. Basal insulin, like Levemir, serves as a foundation for blood sugar control by providing a steady release throughout the day. The inability to adjust some insulins post-administration due to the duration it stays in the body, increases the risk of low blood sugar. Access to Levemir, offers a valuable tool for individuals to fine-tune their treatment, minimizing the chances of hypoglycemia and enhancing overall diabetes management. Insulin is a life-saving medication, and having options ensures that people can find the most suitable treatment for their specific needs." Kelsey

"I am a brittle type one diabetic who was diagnosed in 1982. I have multiple diabetic complications including vision loss, peripheral neuropathy and more recently, diabetic gastroparesis. I have always been a brittle type one diabetic, but things were dramatically worse when diagnosed with Gastroparesis in 2014. I do my absolute best to keep my blood sugars in a safe range to prevent worsening of current complications, as well as developing additional complications. I currently take three different types of insulin to manage my type one diabetes (Humalog, Humulin R and Levemir). Levemir is the best long acting insulin I have tried thus far. I have attempted to use Tresiba about a year ago, but had very dramatic, low blood sugars when taking less than half the dose of Levemir. I was getting dramatic low blood sugars in the middle of the night, and I was afraid to drive. Due to the duration of this medication, I had no idea how much Tresiba from the day before was still in my system. I had to go back on Levemir. I also attempted using insulin pump therapy over a year ago, which only uses short acting insulin. I was unable to mimic the basal effect of Levemir and kept having dramatic highs and lows. Years ago when I took Lantus, I never had great blood sugars, and my doctor told me that Levemir was considered a superior insulin and I needed to be on it. I basically started taking Levemir the year it became available. It is shocking that such a necessary medication for type one diabetics can be discontinued. I appreciate any help with regards to keeping this insulin available. The idea of switching basal insulins to something completely different is terrifying to me." Arlene

"Hello, My son is 6 years old and uses Levemir long acting insulin. It is essential for his daily needs. It has worked amazingly and love the benefits of it. No stinging, only stays in his system for 12 hours, making it nice to dose twice a day, once in the morning (as he needs much more during the day, and a MUCH smaller amount overnight) It has helped lower his a1c, with less highs and less lows. We are devastated with this news. PLEASE KEEP LEVEMIR AVAILABLE HOW IT IS NOW!!!From a worrisome mom of a type 1 diabetic child." Lana

"To Whom It May Concern: I implore you to keep Levemir available in the US. I have used this insulin for 5+ yrs and it works best for me. Thousands of others feel the same way. I don't want to use Lantus as the "Lantus lows" are real and potentially deadly, and Tresiba's extra-long acting nature doesn't allow for flexibility in adjusting the dosage." Stacey