The Food and Drug Administration has issued an advisory about stolen vials of Levemir that have now resurfaced.
Three separate lots totaling approximately 129,000 10-mL vials of the long-acting basal insulin analogue, made by Novo Nordisk, were stolen in North Carolina and are now being sold in the U.S. market. Some vials from one of the lots were discovered at a medical center in Houston.
These stolen insulin vials may not have been stored or handled properly and may be dangerous to patients. The FDA has received one report of a patient who suffered an adverse event due to poor glucose control after using a vial from one of the lots.
The agency advises the following for patients who use Levemir:
▸ Determine if you have Levemir from one of the following lots: XZF0036, XZF0037, or XZF0038. Lot numbers are located on the side of the box of insulin and also on the side of the vial.
▸ If the Levemir is from one of these lots, replace it with a vial of Levemir from another lot. Do not switch to a different brand of insulin without first contacting your health care provider, because another insulin product may require dosing adjustments.
▸ Always visually inspect your insulin before using it. Levemir is a clear and colorless solution.
▸ Contact the Novo Nordisk Customer Care Center at 800-727-6500 for instructions on what to do with vials from these lots, or if you have any other questions.
“The safety of our patients is of paramount concern and we are working with our partners, the pharmacy, the FDA, and law enforcement authorities to investigate the situation and take immediate steps to maintain the highest standard of safety and quality for our products,” Novo Nordisk said in a statement.