Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection 100 U/mL, 200 U/mL): Pharmacist Information

This course is intended for US Health Care Professionals.

Prescribing Information | Important Safety Information

Novo Nordisk is proud to offer Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection). Tresiba® is a once-daily, long-acting basal insulin indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes.

This DrugAdvisor® course provides information for pharmacists to help support their patients who have been prescribed Tresiba®.

Tresiba® uses a prefilled insulin pen and can be dosed once daily at any time of day. Patients who miss a dose of Tresiba® should inject their daily dose during waking hours upon discovering the missed dose, then continue with their regular dosing schedule. Ensure that at least 8 hours have elapsed between Tresiba® injections.

It is critical that pharmacists understand how the Tresiba® pen works when dispensing and counseling patients about the proper dosage and use of Tresiba®.

Upon completion of this course, the pharmacist should be able to:

Describe the efficacy, safety, and clinical pharmacology of Tresiba®
Inform patients of pen storage requirements
Inform patients about available support tools

This course contains audio, text, images, and links to external websites that open PDF documents.

Course Duration: 10 minutes

This course is sponsored by Novo Nordisk Inc., and the sponsor has sole editorial control of course content. Completing this course does not earn Continuing Education (CE) credit.

Indications and Usage

Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection) is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus.

Limitations of Use

Tresiba® is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to Tresiba® or one of its excipients

Warnings and Precautions

Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens
Monitor blood glucose in all patients treated with insulin. Changes in insulin may affect glycemic control. These changes should be made cautiously and under medical supervision. Adjustments in concomitant oral anti-diabetic treatment may be needed
Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®, and may be life-threatening. Increase monitoring with changes to: insulin dose, co-administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness or renal or hepatic impairment
Accidental mix-ups between basal insulin products and other insulins, particularly rapid-acting insulins, have been reported. To avoid medication errors, always instruct patients to check the insulin label before each injection
Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulin products, including Tresiba®
As with all insulins, Tresiba® use can lead to life-threatening hypokalemia, which then may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Closely monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if indicated
Fluid retention and heart failure can occur with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are PPAR-gamma agonists, and insulin, including Tresiba®. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure occurs, dosage reduction or discontinuation of the TZD must be considered

Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions commonly associated with Tresiba® are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain

Drug Interactions

Certain drugs may affect glucose metabolism, requiring insulin dose adjustment and close monitoring of blood glucose. The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia may be reduced or absent in patients taking anti-adrenergic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine)

Click here for Prescribing Information.

FlexTouch® and Tresiba® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.

Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

All other trademarks, registered or unregistered, are the property of their respective owners.

System Requirements

Flash Player 10.3 or higher – will provide the best viewing experience on a PC
Adobe Reader 7 or higher – required for reviewing course documents
Internet Explorer 8 or higher will provide the best viewing experience on a PC
Speakers (optional) – this course has sound