Le medicament du mois. L'insuline detemir (Levemir)

Insulin detemir (Levemir) is a soluble long acting human insulin analogue acylated with a 14-carbon fatty acid. The fatty acid modification allows insulin detemir to reversibly bind to albumin, thereby providing slow absorption and a prolonged metabolic effect (up to 24 hours) with low variability. Indeed, in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin detemir has a more predictable, protracted and consistent effect, with less intrapatient variability in glycaemic control (particularly fasting plasma glucose levels), compared with NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin. Insulin detemir, is at least as effective as NPH insulin in maintaining overall glycaemic control, with a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia. It also provides the additional benefit of less body weight gain as compared to other basal insulins. Levemir, presented in cartridges for the pen device NovoPen 3 and administered preferably at bedtime (if necessary morning and evening), is a promising new option for basal insulin therapy in diabetic patients, especially those on a basal-bolus scheme.