Insulin degludec, which is supplied under trade name Tresiba, is an ultra long acting basal insulin which can be used by people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Tresiba last for up to 42 hours offering greater flexibility as to when it can be injected each day.
Research trials have shown insulin degludec to be helpful in reducing incidence of hypoglycemia compared with other basal insulin.
Tresiba has gained approval for use in Europe. It is available in England and Wales on theNHS but has not been approved for use in Scotland by NHS Scotland, which cited a lack of robust economic analysis as the reason for why it was not approved.
Tresiba is suitable for use in treating patients of ages 18 years and older with either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Tresiba may not be suitable for people that experience reactions to glycerol, metacresol, phenol or zinc acetate.
Tresiba is taken by subcutaneous injection (injection into the layer of fat just below the skin) once daily.
Your doctor can advise you on where best to inject as well providing on injection technique where needed.
One of the benefits of insulin degludec is that it offers much greater flexibility over when doses can be taken. The insulin lasts for up to 42 hours and that allows doses to be taken at different times of day, if needed, without impacting on blood glucose control.
This means there is significantly more room varying times of doses to suit your lifestyle.
Research studies used to investigate the effectiveness of the drug also showed that Tresiba reduced the risk of nocturnal hypos, in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, in comparison with Lantus (insulin glargine).
Trials also noted a slight reduction in overall hypoglycemia for Tresiba compared with Lantus within patients with type 2 diabetes.
Tresiba is different to most other insulin available in the UK in that it is available in two different strengths.
The double strength of Tresiba may be useful for people with stronger insulin resistance requiring larger doses of insulin.
The ultra long duration of Tresiba is possible as it contains hexadecanedioic acid which allows the insulin to form soluble multi-hexamers once injected and results in a slower release of insulin into the bloodstream than is possible with other insulin such as Levemir and Lantus.
As with other types of insulin, the most common side effect of insulin degludec is hypoglycemia.
Reactions at the site of injection may occur although these will usually disappear with continued use of the drug.
Lipodystrophy may occur but can be prevented if good practice of insulin site rotation is adhered to. Rarer side effects include:
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