FDA Warns of Dangerous Black Market Levemir Insulin

Stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir are popping up again in the United States and could be dangerous since the drugs may have been improperly stored and handled, the Food and Drug Administration is warning.

At least one patient has suffered an injury involving poor control of blood glucose levels after using one of the 129,000 vials from three lots of the Novo Nordisk Inc. drug that previously were stolen, the FDA said.

The FDA is warning patients who take Levemir insulin to be extra careful before taking the drug to ensure that their dose is safe. If you take Levemir insulin, you are advised to:

• Check your supply of insulin and do not take Levemir insulin from any of the following lots: XZF0036, XZF0037, and XZF0038. The lot number may be found on the side of the box of insulin and also on the side of the vial.

• Levemir insulin from the designated lots should not be taken.

• Visually inspect your insulin before using it. Levemir is a clear and colorless solution.

• Contact your healthcare provider before you switch to another brand of insulin or stop taking Levemir insulin from affected lots.

• Call the Novo Nordisk Customer Care Center at 800-727-6500 for information about what to do with vials from these lots or if you have any other questions.

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