Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Insulin degludec may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Tresiba is a long-acting basal insulin called insulin degludec. It is used to treat diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged 1 year and above. Tresiba helps your body reduce your blood sugar level. It is used for once-daily dosing. On occasions when you cannot follow your regular dosing schedule, you can change the time of dosing because Tresiba has a long blood sugar-lowering effect (see section 3 for 'Flexibility in dosing time'). Tresiba can be used with meal-related rapid-acting insulin products. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, Tresiba may be used in combination with tablets for diabetes or with injectable antidiabetic medicines, other than insulin. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, Tresiba must always be used in combination with meal-related rapidacting insulin medicines. 2.
e Tresiba
Do not use Tresiba • if you are allergic to insulin degludec or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Tresiba. Be especially aware of the following: • •
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) – if your blood sugar is too low, follow the guidance for low blood sugar in section 4. High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) – if your blood sugar is too high, follow the guidance for
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• • • •
high blood sugar in section 4. Switching from other insulin medicines – the insulin dose may need to be changed if you switch from another type, brand or manufacturer of insulin. Talk to your doctor. Pioglitazone used together with insulin, see 'Pioglitazone' below. Eye disorder – fast improvements in blood sugar control may lead to a temporary worsening of diabetic eye disorder. If you experience eye problems, talk to your doctor. Ensuring you use the right type of insulin – always check the insulin label before each injection to avoid accidental mix-ups between different strengths of Tresiba as well as other insulin products.
If you have poor eyesight, please see section 3. Skin changes at the injection site The injection site should be rotated to help prevent changes to the fatty tissue under the skin, such as skin thickening, skin shrinking or lumps under the skin. The insulin may not work very well if you inject into a lumpy, shrunken or thickened area (see section 3 'How to use Tresiba'). Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes at the injection site. Tell your doctor if you are currently injecting into these affected areas before you start injecting in a different area. Your doctor may tell you to check your blood sugar more closely, and to adjust your insulin or your other antidiabetic medications dose. Children and adolescents Tresiba can be used in adolescents and children aged 1 year and above. There is no experience with the use of Tresiba in children below the age of 1 year. Other medicines and Tresiba Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines affect your blood sugar level, this may mean your insulin dose has to be changed. Listed below are the most common medicines which may affect your insulin treatment. Your blood sugar level may fall (hypoglycaemia) if you take: • other medicines for diabetes (oral and injectable) • sulfonamides, for infections • anabolic steroids, such as testosterone • beta-blockers, for high blood pressure. They may make it harder to recognise the warning signs of too low blood sugar (see section 4 'Warning signs of too low blood sugar') • acetylsalicylic acid (and other salicylates), for pain and mild fever • monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, for depression • angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for some heart problems or high blood pressure. Your blood sugar level may rise (hyperglycaemia) if you take: • danazol, for endometriosis • oral contraceptives (birth control pills) • thyroid hormones, for thyroid problems
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• • • •
growth hormone, for growth hormone deficiency glucocorticoids such as 'cortisone', for inflammation sympathomimetics such as epinephrine (adrenaline), salbutamol or terbutaline, for asthma thiazides, for high blood pressure or if your body keeps too much water (water retention).
Octreotide and lanreotide: used to treat a rare condition involving too much growth hormone (acromegaly). They may increase or decrease your blood sugar level. Pioglitazone: oral antidiabetic medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Some patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease or previous stroke who were treated with pioglitazone and insulin experienced the development of heart failure. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath, rapid increase in weight or localised swelling (oedema). If any of the above applies to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Tresiba with alcohol If you drink alcohol, your need for insulin may change. Your blood sugar level may either rise or fall. You should therefore monitor your blood sugar level more often than usual. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after delivery. Careful control of your diabetes is needed in pregnancy. Avoiding too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is particularly important for the health of your baby. Driving and using machines Having too low or too high blood sugar can affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, your ability to concentrate or react might be affected. This could be dangerous to yourself or others. Ask your doctor whether you can drive if: • you often get too low blood sugar • you find it hard to recognise too low blood sugar. Important information about some of the ingredients of Tresiba This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose. This means that the medicine is essentially 'sodium-free'. 3.
Tresiba
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. If you are blind or have poor eyesight and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this pen without help. Get help from a person with good eyesight who is trained to use the FlexTouch pre-filled pen.
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Tresiba in a pre-filled pen is available in two strengths. "Tresiba 100 units/mL" or "Tresiba 200 units/mL" is clearly marked on the pen label and packaging. In addition, Tresiba 100 units/mL packaging and label are light green, and Tresiba 200 units/mL packaging and label are dark green with striping with a red box highlighting the formulation strength. For both strengths, the needed dose is dialled in units. The dose steps, however, differ between the two strengths of Tresiba. The pre-filled pen 200 units/mL can provide a dose of 2-160 units in one injection in steps of 2 units. The dose counter of the pre-filled pen shows the number of units of insulin to be injected. Do not make any dose re-calculation. Your doctor will decide together with you: • how much Tresiba you will need each day • when to check your blood sugar level and if you need a higher or lower dose. Flexibility in dosing time • Always follow your doctor's recommendation for dose. • Use Tresiba once each day, preferably at the same time every day. • On occasions when it is not possible to take Tresiba at the same time of the day, it can be taken at a different time of day. Make sure to have a minimum of 8 hours between the doses. There is no experience with flexibility in dosing time of Tresiba in children and adolescents. • If you want to change your usual diet, check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse first as a change in diet may alter your need for insulin. Based on your blood sugar level, your doctor may change your dose. When using other medicines, ask your doctor if your treatment needs to be adjusted. Use in elderly (≥65 years old) Tresiba can be used in elderly, but if you are elderly, you may need to check your blood sugar level more often. Talk to your doctor about changes in your dose. If you have kidney or liver problems If you have kidney or liver problems, you may need to check your blood sugar level more often. Talk to your doctor about changes in your dose. Injecting your medicine Before you use Tresiba for the first time, your doctor or nurse will show you how to use the pre-filled pen. • Check the name and strength on the label of the pen to make sure it is Tresiba 200 units/mL. • The dose counter of your pen shows the exact number of insulin units. Do not make any dose re-calculation.
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Do not use Tresiba • in insulin infusion pumps. • if the pen is damaged or has not been stored correctly (see section 5 'How to store Tresiba'). • if the insulin does not appear clear and colourless. How to inject • Tresiba is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Do not inject it into a vein or muscle. • The best places to inject are the front of your thighs, upper arms or the front of your waist (abdomen). • Change the place within the area where you inject each day to reduce the risk of developing lumps and skin pitting (see section 4). • Always use a new needle for each injection. Re-use of needles may increase the risk of blocked needles leading to inaccurate dosing. Dispose of the needle safely after each use. • Do not use a syringe to remove the solution from the pen to avoid dosing errors and potential overdose. Detailed instructions for use are provided on the other side of this leaflet. If you use more Tresiba than you should If you use too much insulin, your blood sugar may get too low (hypoglycaemia), see advice in section 4 'Too low blood sugar'. If you forget to use Tresiba If you forget a dose, inject the missed dose when discovering the mistake, ensuring a minimum of 8 hours between doses. If you discover that you missed your previous dose when it is time to take your next regular scheduled dose, do not inject a double dose, but resume your once-daily dosing schedule. If you stop using Tresiba Do not stop using your insulin without talking to your doctor. If you stop using your insulin, this could lead to a very high blood sugar level and ketoacidosis (a condition with too much acid in the blood), see advice in section 4 'Too high blood sugar'. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Hypoglycaemia (too low blood sugar) may occur very commonly with insulin treatment (may affect more than 1 in 10 people). It can be very serious. If your blood sugar level falls too much, you may become unconscious. Serious hypoglycaemia may cause brain damage and may be life-threatening. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, take actions to increase your blood sugar level immediately. See advice in 'Too low blood sugar' below. If you have a serious allergic reaction (seen rarely) to the insulin or any of the ingredients in Tresiba, stop using this medicine and see a doctor straight away. The signs of a serious allergic reaction are:
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• • • • •
the local reactions spread to other parts of your body you suddenly feel unwell with sweating you start being sick (vomiting) you experience difficulty in breathing you experience rapid heartbeat or feeling dizzy.
Skin changes at the injection site: If you inject insulin at the same place, the fatty tissue may shrink (lipoatrophy) or thicken (lipohypertrophy) (may affect up to 1 in 100 people). Lumps under the skin may also be caused by build-up of a protein called amyloid (cutaneous amyloidosis; how often this occurs is not known). The insulin may not work very well if you inject into a lumpy, shrunken or thickened area. Change the injection site with each injection to help prevent these skin changes. Other side effects include: Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) Local reactions: Local reactions at the place you inject yourself may occur. The signs may include: pain, redness, hives, swelling and itching. The reactions usually disappear after a few days. See your doctor if they do not disappear after a few weeks. Stop using Tresiba and see a doctor straight away if the reactions become serious. For more information, see 'serious allergic reaction' above. Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Swelling around your joints: When you first start using your medicine, your body may keep more water than it should. This causes swelling around your ankles and other joints. This is usually only shortlasting. Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) This medicine can cause allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of the tongue and lips, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness and itching. General effects from diabetes treatment • Too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) Too low blood sugar may happen if you: drink alcohol; use too much insulin; exercise more than usual; eat too little or miss a meal. Warning signs of too low blood sugar – these may come on suddenly: Headache; slurred speech; fast heartbeat; cold sweat, cool pale skin; feeling sick, feeling very hungry; tremor or feeling nervous or worried; feeling unusually tired, weak and sleepy; feeling confused, difficulty in concentrating; short-lasting changes in your sight. What to do if you get too low blood sugar • Eat glucose tablets or another high sugar snack, like sweets, biscuits or fruit juice (always carry glucose tablets or a high sugar snack, just in case). • Measure your blood sugar if possible and rest. You may need to measure your blood sugar more than once, as with all basal insulin products improvement from the period of low blood
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•
sugar may be delayed. Wait until the signs of too low blood sugar have gone or when your blood sugar level has settled. Then carry on with your insulin as usual.
What others need to do if you pass out Tell everyone you spend time with that you have diabetes. Tell them what could happen if your blood sugar gets too low, including the risk of passing out. Let them know that if you pass out, they must: • turn you on your side • get medical help straight away • not give you any food or drink because you may choke. You may recover more quickly from passing out with an injection of glucagon. This can only be given by someone who knows how to use it. • If you are given glucagon, you will need sugar or a sugary snack as soon as you come round. • If you do not respond to a glucagon injection, you will have to be treated in a hospital. • If severe low blood sugar is not treated over time, it can cause brain damage. This can be short or long-lasting. It may even cause death. Talk to your doctor if: • your blood sugar got so low that you passed out • you have used an injection of glucagon • you have had too low blood sugar a few times recently. This is because the dosing or timing of your insulin injections, food or exercise may need to be changed. •
Too high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
Too high blood sugar may happen if you: eat more or exercise less than usual; drink alcohol; get an infection or a fever; have not used enough insulin; keep using less insulin than you need; forget to use your insulin or stop using insulin without talking to your doctor. Warning signs of too high blood sugar – these normally appear gradually: Flushed, dry skin; feeling sleepy or tired; dry mouth, fruity (acetone) breath; urinating more often, feeling thirsty; losing your appetite, feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting). These may be signs of a very serious condition called ketoacidosis. This is a build-up of acid in the blood because the body is breaking down fat instead of sugar. If not treated, this could lead to diabetic coma and eventually death. What to do if you get too high blood sugar • Test your blood sugar level. • Test your urine or blood for ketones. • Get medical help straight away.
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Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
Tresiba
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and carton, after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Before first use Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezing element. Keep the cap on the pen in order to protect it from light. After first opening or if carried as a spare You can carry your Tresiba pre-filled pen (FlexTouch) with you and keep it at room temperature (not above 30°C) or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) for up to 8 weeks. Always keep the cap on the pen when you are not using it in order to protect it from light. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. 6.
What Tresiba contains • The active substance is insulin degludec. Each mL of solution contains 200 units of insulin degludec. Each pre-filled pen contains 600 units of insulin degludec in 3 mL solution. •
The other ingredients are glycerol, metacresol, phenol, zinc acetate, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injections (see section 2).
What Tresiba looks like and contents of the pack Tresiba is presented as a clear and colourless solution for injection in a pre-filled pen (600 units per 3 mL). Pack sizes of 1 (with or without needles), 2 (without needles), 3 (without needles), 5 (without needles) and multipack of 6 (2 x 3) (without needles) pre-filled pens of 3 mL. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
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Marketing Authorisation Holder Novo Nordisk A/S Novo Allé DK-2880 Bagsværd, Denmark Manufacturer Novo Nordisk A/S Novo Alle 1 DK-2880 Bagsvaerd Denmark Novo Nordisk Production SAS 45 Avenue D Orleans 28000 Chartres France This leaflet was last revised in 09/2025 Tresiba®, FlexTouch®, NovoFine® and NovoTwist® are trademarks owned by Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark © 2025 Novo Nordisk A/S Tresiba® FlexTouch®
100 units/mL
Solution for injection in pre-filled pen insulin degludec
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Instructions on how to use Tresiba 200 units/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen (FlexTouch) Please read these instructions carefully before using your FlexTouch pre-filled pen. If you do not follow the instructions carefully, you may get too little or too much insulin, which can lead to too high or too low blood sugar level. Do not use the pen without proper training from your doctor or nurse. Start by checking your pen to make sure that it contains Tresiba 200 units/mL, then look at the illustrations below to get to know the different parts of your pen and needle. If you are blind or have poor eyesight and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this pen without help. Get help from a person with good eyesight who is trained to use the FlexTouch pre-filled pen. Your pen is a pre-filled dial-a-dose insulin pen containing 600 units of insulin. You can select a maximum of 160 units per dose, in steps of 2 units. The dose counter of your pen shows the exact number of insulin units. Do not make any dose re-calculation. Your pen is designed to be used with NovoTwist or NovoFine single-use disposable needles up to a length of 8 mm. Important information Pay special attention to these notes as they are important for correct use of the pen.
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Tresiba pre-filled pen and needle (example) (FlexTouch) Pen cap
Outer needle cap
Inner needle cap
Needle
Paper tab
Insulin scale Insulin window
FlexTouch
Tresiba Pen label Dose counter
Dose pointer
Dose selector Dose button
Dose button with 2 dots indicates 2 units per step
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1 Prepare your pen •
Check the name and strength on the label of your pen to make sure that it contains Tresiba 200 units/mL. This is especially important if you take more than one type of insulin. If you take a wrong type of insulin, your blood sugar level may get too high or too low.
•
Pull off the pen cap. A
•
Check that the insulin in your pen is clear and colourless. Look through the insulin window. If the insulin looks cloudy, do not use the pen. B
•
Take a new needle and tear off the paper tab. C
•
Push the needle straight onto the pen. Turn until it is on tight.
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D
•
Pull off the outer needle cap and keep it for later. You will need it after the injection to correctly remove the needle from the pen. E
•
Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away. If you try to put it back on, you may accidentally stick yourself with the needle. A drop of insulin may appear at the needle tip. This is normal, but you must still check the insulin flow. F
Always use a new needle for each injection. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of insulin, blocked needles and inaccurate dosing. Never use a bent or damaged needle. 2 Check the insulin flow •
Always check the insulin flow before you start. This helps you to ensure that you get your full insulin dose.
•
Turn the dose selector to select 2 units. Make sure the dose counter shows 2.
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A
2 units selected
•
Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Tap the top of the pen gently a few times to let any air bubbles rise to the top. B
•
Press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. A drop of insulin should appear at the needle tip. C
A small air bubble may remain at the needle tip, but it will not be injected. If no drop appears, repeat steps 2A to 2C up to 6 times. If there is still no drop, change the needle and repeat steps 2A to 2C once more. If a drop of insulin still does not appear, dispose of the pen and use a new one. Always make sure that a drop appears at the needle tip before you inject. This makes sure
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that the insulin flows. If no drop appears, you will not inject any insulin, even though the dose counter may move. This may indicate a blocked or damaged needle. Always check the flow before you inject. If you do not check the flow, you may get too little insulin or no insulin at all. This may lead to too high blood sugar level. 3 Select your dose •
Make sure the dose counter shows 0 before you start. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer.
•
Turn the dose selector to select the dose you need, as directed by your doctor or nurse.
•
The dose counter shows the dose dialled in units. Do not make any dose re-calculation.
If you select a wrong dose, you can turn the dose selector forwards or backwards to the correct dose. The pen can dial up to a maximum of 160 units. A
Examples 6 units selected
24 units selected
The dose selector changes the number of units. Only the dose counter and dose pointer will show how many units you select per dose. You can select up to 160 units per dose. When your pen contains less than 160 units, the dose counter stops at the number of units left. The dose selector clicks differently when turned forwards, backwards or past the number of units left. Do not count the pen clicks.
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Always use the dose counter and the dose pointer to see how many units you have selected before injecting the insulin. Do not count the pen clicks. If you select and inject the wrong dose, your blood sugar level may get too high or too low. Do not use the insulin scale, it only shows approximately how much insulin is left in your pen. 4 Inject your dose •
Insert the needle into your skin as your doctor or nurse has shown you.
•
Make sure you can see the dose counter. Do not touch the dose counter with your fingers. This could interrupt the injection.
•
Press and hold down the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. You may then hear or feel a click.
•
Leave the needle under the skin for at least 6 seconds to make sure you get your full dose. A
6 seconds
•
Pull the needle and pen straight up from your skin. If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a cotton swab. Do not rub the area.
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B
You may see a drop of insulin at the needle tip after injecting. This is normal and does not affect your dose. Always watch the dose counter to know how many units you inject. The dose counter will show the exact number of units. Do not count the pen clicks. Hold the dose button down until the dose counter returns to 0 after the injection. If the dose counter stops before it returns to 0, the full dose has not been delivered, which may result in too high blood sugar level. 5 After your injection •
Lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap on a flat surface without touching the needle or the outer needle cap. A
•
Once the needle is covered, carefully push the outer needle cap completely on.
•
Unscrew the needle and dispose of it carefully. B
•
Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect the insulin from light.
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C
Always dispose of the needle after each injection in an appropriate sharps container. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of insulin, blocked needles and inaccurate dosing. If the needle is blocked, you will not inject any insulin. When the pen is empty, throw it away without a needle on as instructed by your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or local authorities. Do not place the used needle in household waste. Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. You may stick yourself with the needle. Always remove the needle after each injection and store your pen without the needle attached. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of insulin, blocked needles and inaccurate dosing. 6 How much insulin is left? •
The insulin scale shows you approximately how much insulin is left in your pen. A Approx. how much insulin is left
•
To see precisely how much insulin is left, use the dose counter: Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops. If it shows 160, at least 160 units are left in your pen. If it shows less than 160, the number shown is the number of units left in your pen.
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B
Example Dose counter stopped: 52 units left
•
Turn the dose selector back until the dose counter shows 0.
•
If you need more insulin than the units left in your pen, you can split your dose between two pens. Be very careful to calculate correctly if splitting your dose. If in doubt, take the full dose with a new pen. If you split the dose wrong, you will inject too little or too much insulin, which can lead to too high or too low blood sugar level. Further important information
•
Always keep your pen with you.
•
Always carry an extra pen and new needles with you in case of loss or damage.
•
Always keep your pen and needles out of sight and reach of others, especially children.
•
Never share your pen or your needles with other people. It might lead to cross-infection.
•
Never share your pen with other people. Your medicine might be harmful to their health.
•
Caregivers must be very careful when handling used needles to reduce the risk of needle injury and cross-infection.
Caring for your pen Treat your pen with care. Rough handling or misuse may cause inaccurate dosing, which can lead to too high or too low blood sugar level. •
Do not leave the pen in a car or other place where it can get too hot or too cold.
•
Do not expose your pen to dust, dirt or liquid.
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•
Do not wash, soak or lubricate your pen. If necessary, clean it with mild detergent on a moistened cloth.
•
Do not drop your pen or knock it against hard surfaces. If you drop it or suspect a problem, attach a new needle and check the insulin flow before you inject.
•
Do not try to refill your pen. Once empty, it must be disposed of.
•
Do not try to repair your pen or pull it apart.
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The active substance in Tresiba 200 units/mL Pre filled pen (FlexTouch) is insulin degludec.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Tresiba 200 units/mL Pre filled pen (FlexTouch), as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children from the age of 1 year.
Posology
This medicinal product is a basal insulin for once-daily subcutaneous administration at any time of the day, preferably at the same time every day.
The potency of insulin analogues, including insulin degludec, is expressed in units. One (1) unit of insulin degludec corresponds to 1 international unit of human insulin, 1 unit of insulin glargine (100 units/mL), or 1 unit of insulin detemir.
In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, this medicinal product can be administered alone or in any combination with oral antidiabetic medicinal products, GLP-1 receptor agonists and bolus insulin (see section 5.1).
In type 1 diabetes mellitus, Tresiba must be combined with short-/rapid-acting insulin to cover mealtime insulin requirements.
Tresiba is to be dosed in accordance with the individual patient's needs. It is recommended to optimise glycaemic control via dose adjustment based on fasting plasma glucose.
Adjustment of dose may be necessary if patients undertake increased physical activity, change their usual diet or during concomitant illness.
Tresiba 100 units/mL and Tresiba 200 units/mL solution for injection in a pre-filled pen
Tresiba is available in two strengths. For both, the needed dose is dialled in units. The dose steps, however, differ between the two strengths of the medicinal product.
• With Tresiba 100 units/mL a dose of 1–80 units per injection, in steps of 1 unit, can be administered.
• With Tresiba 200 units/mL a dose of 2–160 units per injection, in steps of 2 units, can be administered. The dose is provided in half the volume of 100 units/mL basal insulin products.
The dose counter shows the number of units regardless of strength and no dose conversion should be done when transferring a patient to a new strength.
Flexibility in dosing time
On occasions when administration at the same time of the day is not possible, Tresiba allows for flexibility in the timing of insulin administration (see section 5.1). A minimum of 8 hours between injections should always be ensured. There is no clinical experience with flexibility in dosing time of Tresiba in children and adolescents.
Patients who forget a dose are advised to take it upon discovery and then resume their usual once-daily dosing schedule.
Initiation
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
The recommended daily starting dose is 10 units followed by individual dosage adjustments.
Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Tresiba is to be used once daily with mealtime insulin and requires subsequent individual dosage adjustments.
Transfer from other insulin medicinal products
Close glucose monitoring is recommended during the transfer and in the following weeks. Doses and timing of concurrent rapid-acting or short-acting insulin products or other concomitant antidiabetic treatment may need to be adjusted.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
For patients with type 2 diabetes taking once-daily basal, basal-bolus, premix or self-mixed insulin therapy, changing the basal insulin to Tresiba can be done unit-to-unit based on the previous basal insulin dose followed by individual dosage adjustments.
A dose reduction of 20% based on the previous basal insulin dose followed by individual dosage adjustments should be considered when
- transferring to Tresiba from twice-daily basal insulin
- transferring to Tresiba from insulin glargine (300 units/mL)
Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
For patients with type 1 diabetes a dose reduction of 20% based on the previous basal insulin dose or basal component of a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion regimen should be considered with subsequent individual dosage adjustments based on the glycaemic response.
Use of Tresiba in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
When adding Tresiba to GLP-1 receptor agonists, the recommended daily starting dose is 10 units followed by individual dosage adjustments.
When adding GLP-1 receptor agonists to Tresiba, it is recommended to reduce the dose of Tresiba by 20% to minimise the risk of hypoglycaemia. Subsequently, dosage should be adjusted individually.
Special populations
Elderly (≥65 years old)
Tresiba can be used in elderly. Glucose monitoring is to be intensified, and the insulin dose adjusted on an individual basis (see section 5.2).
Renal and hepatic impairment
Tresiba can be used in renal and hepatic impaired patients. Glucose monitoring is to be intensified, and the insulin dose adjusted on an individual basis (see section 5.2).
Paediatric population
There is no clinical experience with the use of this medicinal product in children below the age of 1 year. This medicinal product can be used in adolescents and children from the age of 1 year (see section 5.1). When changing basal insulin to Tresiba, dose reduction of basal and bolus insulin needs to be considered on an individual basis in order to minimise the risk of hypoglycaemia (see section 4.4).
Method of administration
Subcutaneous use only.
Tresiba must not be administered intravenously as it may result in severe hypoglycaemia.
This medicinal product must not be administered intramuscularly as it may change the absorption.
This medicinal product must not be used in insulin infusion pumps.
Tresiba must not be drawn from the cartridge of the pre-filled pen into a syringe (see section 4.4).
Tresiba is administered subcutaneously by injection in the thigh, the upper arm or the abdominal wall. Injection sites should always be rotated within the same region in order to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and cutaneous amyloidosis (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Patients should be instructed to always use a new needle. The re-use of insulin pen needles increases the risk of blocked needles, which may cause under- or overdosing. In the event of blocked needles, patients must follow the instructions described in the instructions for use accompanying the package leaflet (see section 6.6).
Tresiba 100 units/mL and Tresiba 200 units/mL solution for injection in a pre-filled pen
Tresiba comes in a pre-filled pen (FlexTouch) designed to be used with NovoFine or NovoTwist injection needles.
– The 100 units/mL pre-filled pen delivers 1–80 units in steps of 1 unit.
– The 200 units/mL pre-filled pen delivers 2–160 units in steps of 2 units.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Hypoglycaemia
Omission of a meal or unplanned strenuous physical exercise may lead to hypoglycaemia.
Hypoglycaemia may occur if the insulin dose is too high in relation to the insulin requirement (see sections 4.5, 4.8 and 4.9).
In children, care should be taken to match insulin doses (especially in basal-bolus regimens) with food intake and physical activities in order to minimise the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Patients whose blood glucose control is greatly improved (e.g. by intensified insulin therapy) may experience a change in their usual warning symptoms of hypoglycaemia and must be advised accordingly. Usual warning symptoms may disappear in patients with long-standing diabetes.
Concomitant illness, especially infections and fever, usually increases the patient's insulin requirement. Concomitant diseases in the kidney, liver or diseases affecting the adrenal, pituitary or thyroid gland may require changes in the insulin dose.
As with other basal insulin products, the prolonged effect of Tresiba may delay recovery from hypoglycaemia.
Hyperglycaemia
Administration of rapid-acting insulin is recommended in situations with severe hyperglycaemia.
Inadequate dosing and/or discontinuation of treatment in patients requiring insulin may lead to hyperglycaemia and potentially to diabetic ketoacidosis. Furthermore, concomitant illness, especially infections, may lead to hyperglycaemia and thereby cause an increased insulin requirement.
Usually, the first symptoms of hyperglycaemia develop gradually over a period of hours or days. They include thirst, increased frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, flushed dry skin, dry mouth, and loss of appetite as well as acetone odour of breath. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, untreated hyperglycaemic events eventually lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which is potentially lethal.
Transfer from other insulin medicinal products
Transferring a patient to another type, brand or manufacturer of insulin must be done under medical supervision and may result in the need for a change in dosage.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Patients must be instructed to perform continuous rotation of the injection site to reduce the risk of developing lipodystrophy and cutaneous amyloidosis. There is a potential risk of delayed insulin absorption and worsened glycaemic control following insulin injections at sites with these reactions. A sudden change in the injection site to an unaffected area has been reported to result in hypoglycaemia. Blood glucose monitoring is recommended after the change in the injection site from an affected to an unaffected area, and dose adjustment of antidiabetic medications may be considered.
Combination of pioglitazone and insulin medicinal products
Cases of cardiac failure have been reported when pioglitazone was used in combination with insulin, especially in patients with risk factors for development of cardiac failure. This should be kept in mind if treatment with the combination of pioglitazone and Tresiba is considered. If the combination is used, patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure, weight gain and oedema. Pioglitazone should be discontinued if any deterioration in cardiac symptoms occurs.
Eye disorder
Intensification of insulin therapy with abrupt improvement in glycaemic control may be associated with temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy, while long-term improved glycaemic control decreases the risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Avoidance of medication errors
Patients must be instructed to always check the insulin label before each injection to avoid accidental mix-ups between the two different strengths of Tresiba as well as other insulin products.
Patients must visually verify the dialled units on the dose counter of the pen. Therefore, the requirement for patients to self-inject is that they can read the dose counter on the pen. Patients who are blind or have poor vision must be instructed to always get help/assistance from another person who has good vision and is trained in using the insulin device.
To avoid dosing errors and potential overdose, patients and healthcare professionals should never use a syringe to draw the medicinal product from the cartridge in the pre-filled pen.
In the event of blocked needles, patients must follow the instructions described in the instructions for use accompanying the package leaflet (see section 6.6).
Insulin antibodies
Insulin administration may cause insulin antibodies to form. In rare cases, the presence of such insulin antibodies may necessitate adjustment of the insulin dose in order to correct a tendency to hyper- or hypoglycaemia.
Sodium
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, i.e. it is essentially 'sodium-free'.
Traceability
In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.
A number of medicinal products are known to interact with glucose metabolism.
The following substances may reduce the insulin requirement
Oral antidiabetic medicinal products, GLP-1 receptor agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, salicylates, anabolic steroids and sulfonamides.
The following substances may increase the insulin requirement
Oral contraceptives, thiazides, glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, sympathomimetics, growth hormone and danazol.
Beta-blockers may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
Octreotide/lanreotide may either increase or decrease the insulin requirement.
Alcohol may intensify or reduce the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin.
Pregnancy
The use of Tresiba in pregnant women with diabetes has been investigated in an interventional trial (see section 5.1). A moderate amount of clinical trial and post-marketing data in pregnant women (more than 400 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative or feto/neonatal toxicity. Animal reproduction studies have not revealed any difference between insulin degludec and human insulin regarding embryotoxicity and teratogenicity.
The treatment with Tresiba may be considered during pregnancy, if clinically needed.
In general, intensified blood glucose control and monitoring of pregnant women with diabetes are recommended throughout pregnancy and when contemplating pregnancy. Insulin requirements usually decrease in the first trimester and increase subsequently during the second and third trimesters. After delivery, insulin requirements usually return rapidly to pre-pregnancy values. Careful monitoring of glucose control is recommended and the insulin dose adjusted on an individual basis.
Breast-feeding
There is no clinical experience with Tresiba during breast-feeding. In rats, insulin degludec was secreted in milk; the concentration in milk was lower than in plasma.
It is unknown whether insulin degludec is excreted in human milk. No metabolic effects are anticipated in the breast-fed newborn/infant.
Fertility
Animal reproduction studies with insulin degludec have not revealed any adverse effects on fertility.
This medicinal product has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, the patient's ability to concentrate and react may be impaired as a result of hypoglycaemia. This may constitute a risk in situations where these abilities are of special importance (e.g. driving a car or using machines).
Patients must be advised to take precautions to avoid hypoglycaemia while driving. This is particularly important in those who have reduced or absent awareness of the warning signs of hypoglycaemia or have frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia. The advisability of driving should be considered in these circumstances.
Summary of the safety profile
The most frequently reported adverse reaction during treatment is hypoglycaemia (see section 'Description of selected adverse reactions' below).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse reactions listed below are based on clinical trial data and classified according to MedDRA System Organ Class. Frequency categories are defined according to the following convention: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
System organ class
Frequency
Adverse reaction
Immune system disorders
Rare
Hypersensitivity
Urticaria
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Very common
Hypoglycaemia
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Uncommon
Lipodystrophy
Not known
Cutaneous amyloidosis†
General disorders and administration site conditions
Common
Injection site reactions
Uncommon
Peripheral oedema
† ADR from postmarketing sources.
Description of selected adverse reactions
Immune system disorders
With insulin preparations, allergic reactions may occur. Immediate-type allergic reactions to either insulin itself or the excipients may potentially be life-threatening.
With Tresiba, hypersensitivity (manifested with swelling of tongue and lips, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness and itching) and urticaria were reported rarely.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia may occur if the insulin dose is too high in relation to the insulin requirement. Severe hypoglycaemia may lead to unconsciousness and/or convulsions and may result in temporary or permanent impairment of brain function or even death. The symptoms of hypoglycaemia usually occur suddenly. They may include cold sweats, cool pale skin, fatigue, nervousness or tremor, anxiousness, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion, difficulty in concentration, drowsiness, excessive hunger, vision changes, headache, nausea and palpitation.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Lipodystrophy (including lipohypertrophy, lipoatrophy) and cutaneous amyloidosis may occur at the injection site and delay local insulin absorption. Continuous rotation of the injection site within the given injection area may help to reduce or prevent these reactions (see section 4.4).
Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions (including injection site haematoma, pain, haemorrhage, erythema, nodules, swelling, discolouration, pruritus, warmth and injection site mass) occurred in patients treated with Tresiba. These reactions are usually mild and transitory and they normally disappear during continued treatment.
Paediatric population
Tresiba has been administered to children and adolescents up to 18 years of age for the investigation of pharmacokinetic properties (see section 5.2). Safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in a long term trial in children aged 1 to less than 18 years. The frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions in the paediatric population do not indicate differences to the experience in the general diabetes population (see section 5.1).
Other special populations
Based on results from clinical trials, the frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions observed in elderly and in patients with renal or hepatic impairment do not indicate any differences to the broader experience in the general population.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
A specific overdose for insulin cannot be defined. However, hypoglycaemia may develop over sequential stages if a patient is dosed with more insulin than required:
• Mild hypoglycaemic episodes can be treated by oral administration of glucose or other products containing sugar. It is therefore recommended that the patient always carries glucose-containing products.
• Severe hypoglycaemic episodes, where the patient is not able to treat himself, can be treated with glucagon (0.5 to 1 mg) given intramuscularly or subcutaneously by a trained person, or with glucose given intravenously by a healthcare professional. Glucose must be given intravenously if the patient does not respond to glucagon within 10 to 15 minutes. Upon regaining consciousness, administration of oral carbohydrates is recommended for the patient in order to prevent a relapse.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Tresiba 200 units/mL Pre filled pen (FlexTouch). The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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