Insulin degludec

Generic name: insulin degludec
Brand name: Tresiba
Dosage form: pen and vial for subcutaneous injection
Drug class:Insulin

Medically reviewed by N. France, BPharm. Last updated on Apr 28, 2022.

What is insulin degludec?

Insulin degludec is a long-acting basal human insulin analog that is used to improve glycemic control in people with diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone produced by your body that helps you to lower your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.

People with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes need to administer man-made forms of insulin. This is because they don't produce enough insulin themselves or their body doesn't respond well enough to the insulin they produce.

Basal insulin analogs like insulin degludec, work to keep your blood glucose levels stable during times when you're fasting, such as at night when you're asleep. Insulin degludec provides a 'background', slow-acting supply of insulin.

Insulin degludec was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015. The Tresiba brand of insulin degludec is the only version of this medication currently available.

What is insulin degludec used for?

• Insulin degludec is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children who are 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus.
• Insulin degludec is not for people with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
• It is not known if insulin degludec is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.
• Insulin degludec is available in 2 concentrations (U-100 and U-200):
  • U-100 concentration is available in pen and vial
    • The 100 units/mL pen can be injected from 1 to 80 units in a single injection, in increments of 1 unit.
    • The 100 units/mL vial should be used with a U-100 insulin syringe only.
  • U-200 concentration is only available in pen
    • The 200 units/mL pen can be injected from 2 to 160 units in a single injection, in increments of 2 units.

Important information

Do not share your insulin degludec FlexTouch insulin delivery device (pen) with other people, even if the needle has changed. Do not share needles or syringes with another person. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.

Who should not take insulin degludec?

Do not take insulin degludec if you:

• are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• have an allergy to insulin degludec or any of the ingredients in insulin degludec. See below for a complete list of ingredients.

What should I tell my doctor before taking insulin degludec?

Before taking insulin degludec, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions including, if you are:

• pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• taking new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

Before you start taking insulin degludec, talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

How should