How to take Tresiba®

Storage and travel

Save on Tresiba®

How to take Tresiba®

Watch these videos for step-by-step instructions on how to use the Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-100 and U-200 pens

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For a free training session, please call 1-877-246-8910 to talk to a Diabetes Health Coach from 9 AM to 6 PM (ET) Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

See instructions for using Tresiba® in a vial »

Tresiba® FlexTouch® at a glance

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Tresiba® FlexTouch® is recommended for use with NovoFine® Plus 32G Tip, one of the shortest, thinnest needles available.

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Tresiba® FlexTouch® pen lasts 8 weeks once opened—twice as long as other long-acting insulin pens, which last only 4 weeks.

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Tresiba® is available in 2 pens. Your health care provider will prescribe the one that is right for you.

Needles are sold separately, will need a prescription, and need to be processed by a pharmacist.

Storage and travel

Storing Tresiba® FlexTouch® and vial

Tresiba® storage before use

  • Store unused Tresiba® FlexTouch® pens and vials in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
  • Do not freeze Tresiba®. Do not use Tresiba® if it has been frozen
  • Unopened pens and vials may be used until the expiration date printed on the label, if kept in the refrigerator

Tresiba® storage after use

  • Keep at room temperature (below 86°F) or refrigerated for up to 8 weeks
  • Keep away from direct heat and light
  • Dispose after 8 weeks, even if there is insulin left in the pen or vial

Tresiba® FlexTouch® pen lasts up to 8 weeks once in use if it is refrigerated or kept at room temperature below 86°F away from direct heat and light.

Travel tips

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Tresiba® FlexTouch® pens can go almost anywhere, since you can keep it in your pocket, purse, or bag.a

aIn-use Tresiba® can be kept at room temperature (below  86°F), away from direct heat and light, or refrigerated (36°F to 46°F) for up to 8 weeks.

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If you’re in a warm climate, remember to keep Tresiba® out of direct sunlight and at room temperature (below 86°F) once in use.

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Plan for the unexpected and bring extra supplies with you.

Be prepared with a travel checklist

Tresiba® FlexTouch® or vial

Pen needles or syringes

Blood glucose meter

Test strips

Lancing device and lancets

Alcohol swabs

Glucose tablets

Glucagon kit

Other diabetes medicine

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What is Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection) 100 U/mL, 200 U/mL?

  • Prescription Tresiba® is a long-acting insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults and children who are 1 year of age and older with diabetes
  • Tresiba® is not for people with diabetic ketoacidosis
  • It is not known if Tresiba® is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age
  • Tresiba® is available in 2 concentrations: 200 units/mL and 100 units/mL

Tresiba® Important Safety Information

Do not share your Tresiba® FlexTouch® with other people, even if the needle has been 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 Tresiba®?

Do not take Tresiba® if you:

  • are having an episode of low blood sugar
  • are allergic to Tresiba® or any of the ingredients in Tresiba®

Before taking Tresiba®, tell your health care 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

Talk to your health care provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

How should I take Tresiba®?

  • Read the Instructions for Use and take Tresiba® exactly as your health care provider tells you to
  • Do not do any conversion of your dose. The dose counter always shows the selected dose in units
  • Know the type and strength of insulin you take. Do not change the type of insulin you take unless your health care provider tells you to
  • Change (rotate) your injection sites within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy (pits in skin or thickened skin) and localized cutaneous amyloidosis (skin with lumps) at the injection sites.
    • Do not use the exact same spot for each injection.
    • Do not inject where the skin has pits, is thickened, or has lumps.
    • Do not inject where the skin is tender, bruised, scaly or hard, or into scars or damaged skin.
  • Adults - If you miss or are delayed in taking your dose of Tresiba®:
    • Take your dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your regular dosing schedule
    • Make sure there are at least 8 hours between doses
  • If children miss a dose of Tresiba®:
    • Call the healthcare provider for information and instructions about checking blood sugar levels more often until the next scheduled dose of Tresiba®
  • For children who need less than 5 units of Tresiba® each day, use a Tresiba® U-100 vial
  • Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugar levels should be and when you should check them
  • Do not reuse or share your needles or syringes with other people. You may give them a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them
  • Never inject Tresiba® into a vein or muscle
  • Never use a syringe to remove Tresiba® from the FlexTouch® pen

What should I avoid while taking Tresiba®?

  • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how Tresiba® affects you
  • Do not drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol

What are the possible side effects of Tresiba®?

Tresiba® may cause serious side effects that can be life-threatening, including:

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs and symptoms that may indicate low blood sugar include anxiety, irritability, mood changes, dizziness, sweating, confusion, and headache
  • Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia)
  • Heart failure in some people if taken with thiazolidinediones (TZDs). This can happen even if you have never had heart failure or heart problems. If you already have heart failure, it may get worse while you take TZDs with Tresiba®. Tell your health care provider if you have any new or worse symptoms of heart failure including shortness of breath, tiredness, swelling of your ankles or feet, and sudden weight gain

Your insulin dose may need to change because of change in level of physical activity or exercise, increased stress, change in diet, weight gain or loss, or illness.

Common side effects may include reactions at the injection site, itching, rash, serious allergic reactions (whole body reactions), skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy), weight gain, and swelling of your hands and feet.

Get emergency medical help if you have trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, sweating, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion.

Please click here for Tresiba® Prescribing Information.

Tresiba® is a prescription medication.

Look up your cost and a savings offer at MyTresibaCost.com.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‑800-FDA-1088.

If you need assistance with prescription costs, help may be available. Visit www.pparx.org or call 1‑888-4PPA-NOW.

Talk to your health care provider about your diabetes management plan, including diet and exercise.