Never share an injection pen or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use insulin detemir if you are allergic to it. Do not use during an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
To make sure insulin detemir is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
liver or kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (sometimes contained in combinations with glimepiride or metformin). Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin detemir may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using insulin detemir if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.
