Insulin Degludec

About Insulin Degludec

Insulin degludec is a modified human insulin absorbed slowly from under the skin, giving steady background insulin through the day and night; people with type 1 diabetes also use a mealtime insulin. Adults may inject at any time of day as long as doses are at least 8 hours apart; children inject at the same time daily. It is not for diabetic ketoacidosis, pumps or injection into a vein.

Low blood sugar is the main risk, signaled by shakiness, sweating, confusion and a fast heartbeat. Insulin can also lower potassium, and with pioglitazone it can cause fluid retention and heart failure. Pens are never shared, even with a new needle. There is no boxed warning.

The U-200 pen suits larger doses, dialing in 2-unit steps up to 160 units; both pens show the dose in units, so no conversion is needed, and insulin is never drawn from a pen into a syringe.

As a biologic, it can be copied only as a biosimilar, and the FDA’s biosimilar list shows none for Tresiba. Novo Nordisk Pharma, Inc. discontinued its unbranded Insulin Degludec on December 31, 2025, saying price cuts on its branded insulins had made the unbranded versions redundant.

Taking Insulin Degludec

How to take it

Once a day under the skin of the thigh, upper arm or abdomen, rotating the spot within the same area and keeping doses at least 8 hours apart. Never mix it with other insulin or move it from a pen into a syringe, and check the label before each injection.

If you miss a dose

Adults: inject it during waking hours as soon as you notice, at least 8 hours after the last dose. Children: call the prescriber and check blood sugar more often.

Storage

Unopened in the refrigerator at 36 to 46°F, never frozen. Once opened, at room temperature up to 86°F, away from heat and light, or refrigerated, for up to 56 days.

Interactions to know about

Other diabetes medicines, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, fluoxetine, sulfonamide antibiotics and salicylates raise the risk of a low; steroids, diuretics, thyroid hormone, birth control pills and some antipsychotics raise blood sugar; alcohol, beta blockers, clonidine and lithium can do either. Beta blockers and clonidine can hide a low.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Insulin Degludec differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

With one maker and no biosimilar, pharmacies buy Tresiba at similar wholesale prices, so quotes differ by mark-up and fees, which on a brand can be large. U-100 pens come five to a box, U-200 pens three, and vials singly, each priced separately. Manufacturer programs apply only if the pharmacy processes them, and an opened vial or pen lasts 56 days, so a small dose can waste part of a vial.

Ways to pay less for Insulin Degludec without insurance

• Ask the pharmacy to process Novo Nordisk’s MyInsulinRx fixed monthly price, open to people with no insurance or commercial insurance but not to new applicants with government coverage.
• If you have no insurance or Medicare and a limited income, ask about Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program, which gives Tresiba free to those who qualify.
• If cost is still a barrier, ask whether insulin glargine, which has interchangeable biosimilars, would suit you; never stretch or skip doses.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Insulin Degludec

1. 1.Is this the vial, U-100 pen or U-200 pen, and which needles fit it?
2. 2.Can you process MyInsulinRx for me?
3. 3.How long does an opened pen or vial last?
4. 4.What should I do if I miss a dose?
5. 5.How do I recognize and treat low blood sugar?

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